Friends are forever, which is why Friendship Day is celebrated. They stand by us in our toughest times and celebrate with us in our happy times. They are our surrogate family, who see us through thick and thin. They shed tears when we cry and smile when we are happy. People can discuss things with friends that they probably can’t even discuss with their family. They offer steadfast and unquestioning support and understand our thoughts before we even put them into words. As International Friendship Day approaches, it’s essential to reveal our appreciation for our valuable buddies and consider how to have a good time on Friendship Day. August 4, 2024, is International Friendship Day in India and a time to rejoice in those lovely relationships that make our lives a lot better.
Friendship Day reminds us every year of our cherished pals who enhance our lives.
International Friendship Day is observed on July 30th in countries like Spain and Bolivia. Finland celebrates Friendship Day on 14th February which is Valentine’s Day while Colombia celebrates it on the second Saturday of March. But countries like India, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and the United States celebrate it on the first Sunday of August, which in 2024 is on 4 August.
Also read: 10 Activities to Celebrate International Friendship Day
How Friendship Day Started
The idea of International Friendship Day originated back in 1930, when Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark cards, first came up with the idea. Though it was a business venture, it recognised and appreciated the value of friends. But it came into the limelight in 1958 via a Paraguayan philosopher, Dr Ramon Artemio Bracho, who felt there must be a committed day to celebrate friendship as it would not only improve the bond of friendship but also raise peace and harmony.
The International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the United Nations as a way to integrate cultures and promote harmony. Today, International Friendship Day is well known all around the world and is celebrated with gifts, cards and spending time with buddies.
Why Friendship Day is Celebrated
Friendship goes way beyond time and distance. You may meet a true friend after years and it will feel as if you talked just yesterday. You are able to pick up from where you left off immediately. You can be your true self with a friend without any pretence. They are an unwavering support through our good and bad times and make the journey of life more enjoyable.
True friendship is based on trust and friends entrust each other with their deepest secrets and thoughts, knowing that they are safe with their friends. Trust requires honesty, communication and reliability. We can count on our friends without a second thought, knowing they will always have our back.
Also read: Strategies For Kindergarten Friendship Building
Research demonstrates that friendships are not merely a source of pleasure, but they have a substantial impact on our physical and mental health. Individuals with loyal and honest friends are known to live longer and healthier lives. This is primarily because they are a great emotional support, which helps in the easing up of stress and anxiety and strengthening of the immune system.
Friendships are essential in today’s world as technology has reduced social interactions drastically compared to early times. Every one of us should make the commitment to put friendships first, have quality conversations and connect in real life.
Friendship Day is an annual reminder of the significance of friendship and the experiences and memories we share with our friends. Often, those friendships span an entire life and are an indelible part of our lives. Reconnecting with friends on Friendship Day helps us to preserve our friendships, even if we don’t meet face-to-face. It’s a time to reignite old memories of laughter, camaraderie and communicate about the good old days.
International Friendship Day serves as an opportunity to:
- appreciate the importance of friendship and its positive effects on people, communities and countries.
- encourage everyone to value their current friendships.
- make new friends across different backgrounds and cultures.
- celebrate the meaning, joy and support of human relationships.
Also read: Developing Friendships and Cooperation in Preschoolers
International Friendship Day in India
In India, Friendship Day is celebrated in various ways, and one can see people everywhere catching up with friends and celebrating in their special way.
- It’s common to see school and college students tie friendship bands to reaffirm their strong bond of friendship.
- People also exchange personalised gifts that reflect a special time spent together.
- Through digital communication, it is easier to bridge distances and jot down a heartwarming letter or send a friend loving thoughts, which is also an ideal method of celebrating Friendship Day.
- What is better than hanging out with one of your friends at a picnic, doing activities that you both enjoy, or meeting over a meal, are all brilliant ways to celebrate this day.
This year’s International Friendship Day celebrated on 4th August in India, reminds us of the bond and camaraderie that we share with our friends. It is a time to thank and rejoice in the blessing of all our friends who have been with us, inspiring our lives. It is time to make up our minds once more, that we should value our friends and always stick by them; through good or bad times. For more details on Friendship Day and ways to celebrate it, you can touch base with the EuroSchool website.
