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24 June: what is celebrated today
Some dates bring together very different views of the world. 24 June is one of them: a day on which international politics, the invisible technology around us, the art of beautifying and an ancient solar celebration coincide on the calendar. Four observances which, from very different realms, speak of power, care, identity and balance.
International Day of Women in Diplomacy
Since 2022, 24 June has invited us to look at diplomacy from a historically relegated perspective: that of the women who negotiate, mediate and represent their countries in highly complex settings. Proclaimed by the UN, this day seeks to recognise a key contribution to peace, sustainable development and the defence of human rights, still marked by inequality in access to senior posts.
For centuries, diplomacy was a predominantly male territory. However, in recent decades, the presence of women has transformed leadership styles, incorporating more inclusive approaches, networks of cooperation and spaces for dialogue that are now essential. Making these careers visible is not merely a symbolic gesture, but a way of rethinking how international relations are built.
International Day against Electromagnetic Pollution
Invisible, silent and omnipresent: this is electromagnetic pollution, the focus of another of the commemorations on 24 June. The proliferation of wireless networks, antennas and electronic devices has radically changed the way we live, but it has also raised questions about their possible effects on health and the environment.
This day does not seek to demonise technology, but to encourage informed and prudent reflection. Between the convenience of hyperconnectivity and the need for wellbeing, a debate opens up that invites us to review everyday habits and promote a more conscious use of technological advances in our daily lives.
International Make-up Artist Day
Make-up also has its place on this multi-faceted date. Every 24 June, those who make the face an expressive canvas are celebrated, combining technique, creativity and artistic sensitivity. This commemoration pays tribute to a profession that goes far beyond aesthetics and has been key in film, theatre, fashion and contemporary visual culture.
The choice of date recalls Bud Westmore, a central figure in Hollywood cinematic make-up. His legacy symbolises a craft tradition that transforms identities, creates memorable characters and reveals how make-up can tell stories without the need for words.
Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun
24 June also looks to the sky. In the Andes, this date coincides with Inti Raymi, an ancestral celebration of Inca origin dedicated to the Sun and Pachamama. More than a festivity, it is a rite of gratitude for the harvests and a moment of spiritual renewal that marks the beginning of a new agricultural cycle.
Celebrated in countries such as Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Colombia and Argentina, Inti Raymi keeps alive a worldview that understands time as a constant dialogue between nature and the community. In an accelerated world, this festival recalls the importance of stopping, observing the cycles and recognising the interdependence between human beings and the Earth.