Monday Five

Monday Five is a weekly segment in the Ongaku!Project WordPress where we present five random O!P members with a question. Their answers to that question will be posted here each Monday. It’s a unique chance to get to know the O!P members a bit better!

Q: 20 November is International Children’s Day. Share with us as to how Children’s Day is observed/celebrated in your country.

Twissie : This question actually surprised me. What, we have an International Children’s Day?! I couldn’t remember ever doing any special activities for a day like this before, so I searched around on Norwegian sites for info… seems like we don’t really celebrate it. Some schools arrange raffles or outings and the like to celebrate the day, but there are no big main events. Strange, I wonder why we don’t make a bigger deal of it. Hmm.

Tamuma : International childrens day isn’t a well-known day here in the UK, and those that do recognise it tend to do small charity events and fundraisers. However, around the same time of year the UK holds one if it’s biggest charity events in aid of children: Children in Need. Children in Need raises money to help disadvantaged children in the UK, with groups all over the country holding sponsored events in the name of charity. There is also a variety show where celebrities perform and fundraisers around the country are showcased whilst (the legend that is) Terry Wogan rustles up support from the public. The show also features the very cute Pudsey – a bear with a bandana over his eye.

Rei-chan : I really have no idea… XD I know here in Puerto Rico we celebrate “el día del niño” (children’s day) in August 8, and schools usually have some fun activities for the little students on that day. But I really don’t know if we have some special celebrations for the International Children’s Day… If I had children or little siblings I’d probably be better informed about this, but I didn’t even know November 20th was International Children’s Day till I got asked this question XD

Ahrjay : I originally came from the Philippines. There, Children’s Day wasn’t observed by the government or by its citizens. That was what I think until recently. I found out that Philippines do celebrate it… on Christmas Day. Therefore, what we normally do on Christmas is what we do on Children’s Day: exchange gifts, give aguinaldo (money) to kids, eat and drink, etc. Right now though, I live in Guam. Here, we don’t celebrate it at all, which I think is a shame. I think it would be great to celebrate it to show to the kids that we value them and recognizes them as part of the society. After all, they will be the future of our country and of our world.

Anton : Actually, in Sweden the International Children’s Day is celebrated on the first monday of October. But there aren’t many people that celebrate it actually. I don’t even think most people are aware of that special day. So there isn’t much more to write about it I’m afraid.

If you have suggestions for future Monday Five questions, send them to twissie@raspberry-style.net