International Friendship Day 2023: Theme, History, Significance

Few of our relationships mature over time and have a rock-solid foundation, making it difficult to end them. One of the relationships like that is friendship. No matter your age or the stage of life you are in, let’s be honest, you can’t survive without your friends. Friends who, no matter what time of night it is, are always there to support you. Friends that are constantly in the lead are always there to lift your spirits when there are setbacks, victorious moments in your life, or on any other occasion. On July 30, people throughout the world observe International Friendship Day to recognise the true value of friendship, foster relationships between diverse cultures and help people put aside their differences in order to live in a better society. Continue reading to know more about this wonderful event.

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Theme of International Friendship Day 2023

Every year International Friendship Day is celebrated with a new theme. This year the theme is, ‘Sharing the human spirit through friendship”. This theme highlights the unique quality of friendship in which you may win others over by expressing feelings of joy and peace. 

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History of International Friendship Day

The International Day of Friendship was established by the UN in 2011 with the goal of encouraging peace efforts and bridging cultural gaps via friendship between peoples, nations, and cultures. For the day, the UN aimed to mobilise young people—future leaders—in local events that celebrate many cultures, foster intercultural understanding and honour diversity. The World Friendship Crusade, an international civil organisation that works to promote peaceful culture through friendship, suggested the first World Friendship Day in 1958 before the U.N. officially recognised it. 

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Significance of this Day

This day, according to the UN, may support the spread of societal harmony and peace. Since the world already faces ongoing difficulties, conflicts, and forces of division, all such things threaten harmony and peace. International friendship can contribute to the fundamental changes that are urgently required to achieve long-term stability, create a safety net that will protect us all, and ignite the passion for a better world where everyone works together for the common good. This day can help build strong bonds of trust and camaraderie.   

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Celebrations Around the World

Around the world, this day is observed on various dates with various themes.

Country	Holiday	Occasion	Date
India	Friendship Day	People celebrate this day by exchanging greetings, and messages and tying friendship bands.	First Sunday of August
Spain	Friends Day	An occasion to get together with friends, both new and old.	20 July
Bolivia	Friendship Day	The bond of Friendship is enthusiastically honoured.	23 July
Finland	Friends Day	Valentine’s Day is usually observed as Friends Day.	14 February

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International Friendship Day Celebrations

The UN urges nations, organisations, and neighbourhood associations to host gatherings, activities, and projects that advance friendship, understanding, and reconciliation to commemorate the International Day of Friendship.

People give flowers, send cards, and exchange tiny tokens of affection as a friendship band. Today’s youth celebrate by getting together with their friends, taking Instagram-worthy images, sharing them online, posting tales, and much more. Celebrate in your own style and show your buddies how much you value their friendship.

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