PURPOSE: The United Nations declared 21 June as International Day of the celebration of the Solstice. The solstices, together with the equinoxes, are connected with seasons, harvists and livelihood. Therefore, many cultures celebrate various combinations of the solstices, the equinoxes, and the midpoints between them, leading to various holidays arising around these events. Mindful that the solstices and equinoxes symbolize the fertility of the land, agricultural and food production systems, cultural heritage and their millenary traditions; the General Assembly of the United Nations acknowledged that the celebration of those events is an embodiment of the unity of the cultural heritage and centuries-long traditions. The solstice as the embodiment of the unity of cultural heritage and centuries-long traditions.

FORUM:  "The solstice as the embodiment of the unity of cultural heritage and centuries-long traditions." International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice 2023 The Solstices play a significant role in strengthening the ties among peoples on the basis of mutual respect and the ideals of peace and good-neighborliness. All the United Nations, in particular its relevant specialized agencies, funds and programmes, mainly the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and interested international and regional organizations, within existing resources, and non-governmental organizations to participate in events organized by Member States, indigenous peoples and communities in which the solstice is celebrated and to raise awareness in this regard.

EVENTS: Join the Celebration of the summer and winter Solstices in the both hemispheres. International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice 2023. This year, the Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice falls on June 21 at 10:57 a.m. EST. South of the Equator, this same moment marks the unofficial beginning of winter. Solstices occur at the same time around the world, but their local times vary with time zones.

• Watch the Winter Solstice in Sydney, In Australia, that mid-winter day is known as the winter solstice. This year, it is on Thursday, June 22. Solstice comes from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still). A solstice is when either of the earth's poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the sun.

• Watch the summer solstice LIVE from Stonehenge, wherever you are in the world. Watch the sunset over the Stone Circle ahead of the longest day of the year. Watch the sun set over the Stone Circle as people celebrate the days beginning to lengthen. Our stream begins at 20:30 BST (this is 15:30 EDT/EST), with sunset occurring at 21:27 BST.

PODCASTS: Watch the Live from Stonehenge.

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