News
30 May: what is celebrated today
30 May brings together observances that at first glance seem to have nothing in common. Yet they all speak of the same thing: how we inhabit the world, care for the body, share resources and support others. From the land that feeds us to invisible diseases, from the seas that connect continents to territories still seeking their own voice, this day invites us to look more closely at what is essential.
International Potato Day
The potato is one of those foods that seem eternal: it has always been there, unobtrusive, resilient, adaptable. Yet its history is deep and global. Native to the Andes, it is now cultivated in more than one hundred and fifty countries and feeds millions of people every day, becoming a quiet pillar of global food security.
Celebrating the potato means recognising diversity: thousands of varieties, colours and flavours that speak of ancestral knowledge, biodiversity and the future. In a world marked by climate change and hunger, this humble tuber reminds us that resilience is also cultivated underground.
World Multiple Sclerosis Day
Multiple sclerosis is known as «the disease of a thousand faces». Its symptoms are not always visible, but they profoundly affect the everyday lives of those living with it. 30 May is dedicated to making the invisible visible, listening to personal accounts and breaking the isolation that so often accompanies diagnosis.
This day emphasises the value of early diagnosis, medical research and, above all, social empathy. Speaking of multiple sclerosis means speaking of support, adaptation and the need to build more understanding environments for those following uncertain paths.
International Prader-Willi Syndrome Day
Prader-Willi syndrome is a rare genetic condition that manifests from childhood and affects multiple aspects of life. Among them is a complex relationship with appetite, development and behaviour, requiring constant support and careful monitoring.
This commemoration invites us to look beyond the diagnosis and focus on people and their families. Raising awareness means understanding, avoiding stigma and promoting genuine inclusion, where medical, educational and social support is continuous and humane.
European Maritime Day
The sea is not only landscape: it is work, memory, science and the future. European Maritime Day highlights the deep relationship Europe maintains with its seas and oceans, and the need to protect them as a source of life and sustainable development.
The day recalls the importance of maritime professions, the blue economy and the conservation of submerged natural and cultural heritage. Looking to the sea today means thinking about cooperation, innovation and shared responsibility.
European Week Against Cancer
During the last week of May, Europe raises its voice in the face of one of the most complex diseases of our time. European Week Against Cancer underscores the importance of prevention, early diagnosis and equitable access to treatments.
Beyond the figures, this week is about people, interrupted stories and the need for strong and humane healthcare systems. Informing, researching and supporting become acts of collective commitment here.
International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories
These days also remember peoples who have not yet attained full self-government. The International Week of Solidarity with Non-Self-Governing Territories invites reflection on rights, resources and self-determination.
This commemoration is not only historical or political: it is profoundly human. It speaks of identity, dignity and the need for no community to be left outside global dialogue or the right to decide its own future.