7 July is a special day in Russia and around the world, as it marks Ivan Kupala Day, Global Forgiveness Day, and Maritime and River Fleet Workers Day. Let’s talk about the other holidays celebrated on this date and which celebrities are celebrating their birthdays today.
Holidays in Russia
Maritime and River Fleet Workers Day
In 1980, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR established a holiday in July for maritime and river fleet workers. Later, this celebration was also enshrined in Russian legislation.
For example, in port cities, festivals, concerts, and ceremonial ship parades are held on this day. Museums with a maritime theme open their doors to visitors.
International Holidays
Global Forgiveness Day
Global Forgiveness Day is a worldwide holiday celebrated every year. It is a day to forgive all offenders, let go of pain and hatred.
Other holidays celebrated in Russia and around the world on July 7th include:
• Day of Struggle Against Psychosomatic Diseases;
• Birth of John the Baptist (Ivan Kupala);
• Republic Day in North Ossetia;
• Victory Day of the Russian fleet over the Turkish fleet in the Battle of Chesma;
• Birthday of the Russian Forest Protection Aviation.
• Stone Counting Day on the sidewalk.
Church Holidays
Birth of John the Baptist
This is one of the Christian holidays established in honor of the birth of the son of the righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth, who later became John the Baptist.
John the Baptist is the most venerated Christian saint after the Virgin Mary. He prepared the Israelite people for the coming of Jesus Christ and baptized Him in the Jordan River.
Other church holidays celebrated on July 7th include:
• All the saints who have shone forth in the land of Russia;
• Athonite saints.
Traditions and Omens on July 7th
On July 7th in Russia, Ivan Kupala is celebrated — a pagan summer holiday accompanied by games and bathing. The celebration is held annually and is dedicated to the deity Kupala, who symbolized the blossoming of nature and was responsible for the harvest.
Holiday traditions include:
• Lighting bonfires and jumping over them to cleanse oneself of evil forces.
• Bathing. Water on this day brings health and washes away all curses, protecting against evil.
• Gathering herbs and flowers for wreaths, which will serve as a talisman for the home.
• Washing your face with morning dew to preserve youth and health.
What not to do:
• Swimming in rivers, ponds, and lakes — otherwise, according to beliefs, mermaids and water spirits will drag you to the bottom.
• Walking alone in the forest and unfamiliar places — evil spirits can harm you.
• Celebrating the holiday alone, being sad.
• Swearing, quarreling, conflicting.
Weather omens:
• Rain — after seven days, a heatwave will begin and last until the end of summer.
• Abundant dew promised a cucumber harvest.
• Clear, starry sky — a mushroom harvest in autumn.
• The cuckoo is calling — it will be a cold autumn.
• Cricket chirping — the winter will be mild.
• Storm — there will be no walnut harvest.
Celebrities Born on July 7th
Zhanna Aguzarova
Zhanna Aguzarova is a Soviet and Russian singer. She was born on July 7, 1962, in the Tyumen region. She was the soloist of the group «Bravo» and then embarked on a solo career.
Many know her as the queen of Russian rock’n’roll, and for her extremely eccentric appearance, she is called the «goddess of extravagance.»
Toto Cutugno
Today, on his 81st birthday, Italian singer and composer Toto Cutugno could be celebrating. The performer of the world-famous song «L’italiano» passed away in 2023. Cutugno was also known for his collaborations with global artists such as Adriano Celentano, Joe Dassin, Dalida, and Ricchi e Poveri.
Other notable figures born on July 7th include:
• Ringo Starr (1940) — British rock musician, actor, drummer of «The Beatles.»
• Elena Obraztsova (1939 — 2015) — Russian opera singer, People’s Artist of the USSR.
• Valentin Nikulin (1932 — 2005) — Soviet and Russian actor of theater and cinema, People’s Artist of the RSFSR.
• Natalia Bekhtereva (1924 — 2008) — Soviet and Russian neurophysiologist, academician.
• Ivan Lapikov (1922 — 1993) — Soviet actor of theater and cinema.
• Vittorio De Sica (1901 — 1974) — Italian director and actor, representative of Italian neorealism.
• Lion Feuchtwanger (1884 — 1958) — German writer of historical novels.
• Yanka Kupala (1882 — 1942) — Belarusian poet, playwright, translator, and publicist, Stalin Prize Laureate I degree.
• Vladimir Durov (1863 — 1934) — Russian animal trainer and circus artist.
• Gustav Mahler (1860 — 1911) — Austrian composer and conductor.
• Vera Figner (1852 — 1942) — Russian revolutionary narodnik, writer.
• Joseph Marie Jacquard (1752 — 1834) — French inventor, creator of the Jacquard loom for figured fabrics.
