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12 September: what is celebrated today
The global calendar has days that seem tailor-made to remind us of the diversity of humanity. 12 September is one of them: while some celebrate the strength of international solidarity, others raise their voices against an invisible illness, and there is no shortage of those who pay tribute to the logic of algorithms or to the patient art of weaving.
United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation is not merely a symbolic date, but recognition that developing countries can support one another. They have done so by sharing doctors in times of crisis, as Cuba did in West Africa, or by exchanging agricultural knowledge, as Brazil and the Congo have. The UN recalls in 2024 that the motto is clear: «A better tomorrow through South-South Cooperation». A reminder that global challenges know no borders, but neither does solidarity.
International Day of Action against Migraine On that same day, the International Day of Action against Migraine is observed, a condition that is often mistaken for a simple headache, but which can paralyse the lives of millions. The WHO ranks it among the most disabling diseases in the world. The aim of the date is to give a voice to those who, amid darkness and intolerable noise, seek relief and understanding. There is no definitive cure, but there are ways to live better with it. World Arepa Day
Every second Saturday in September, Venezuelans inside and outside their country celebrate World Arepa Day, an initiative that began in 2012 as a Worldwide Arepazo promoted by the organisation VenMundo.
The arepa, made from maize flour and filled with endless combinations, is much more than food: it is a symbol of identity and unity for millions of Venezuelans around the world. From the traditional viuda (without filling) to the famous reina pepiada (chicken, avocado and mayonnaise), the arepa is a reflection of creativity and tradition.
International Crochet Day On the same day, lovers of textile art remember that beauty is also written with wool and patience. International Crochet Day is an invitation to rediscover this ancient technique that brings entire generations together through needle and thread. In its modern versions, such as colourful Japanese amigurumi, crochet shows that a traditional craft can reinvent itself and continue to surprise. A mosaic of meanings
12 September is, ultimately, a day that speaks to us of community, care, creativity and ingenuity. Cooperating to survive, easing invisible pain, deciphering the language of machines and keeping manual arts alive: all of this fits into a single day. Because sometimes, the richness of a date lies not in a single cause, but in the sum of all of them.
Caribbean Wellness Day
The second Saturday in September sees the celebration of Caribbean Wellness Day, a date that began in 2007 after the Declaration of Port of Spain, when CARICOM countries committed to combating non-communicable diseases.
These conditions — diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular or kidney problems — are closely linked to four risk factors:
Poor diet.
Physical inactivity.
Tobacco.
Harmful use of alcohol.
Today, this date has expanded into Caribbean Wellness Week, with marathons, health fairs, nutrition workshops and recreational activities that promote a healthier lifestyle.