April Fools' Day - Celebrated All Over The World

While it may not be celebrated on April 1, cultures all over have their version of this fun day.

• In Iran, people play jokes on each other on April 13, a day called Sizdah Bedar, the 13th day of the Persian calendar new year. It is believed that people should go out and play pranks on one another to escape the bad luck of the number 13 associated with the day. Sizdah Bedar, is the oldest prank tradition in the world still alive today, having been celebrated by the Persian as far back as 536 BC.

• In France, the April 1 tradition includes poisson d’avril (April’s Fish), an attempt to attach fish to the victim’s back without being noticed. This joke is also practiced in Italy.

• In Denmark, May 1 is known as Maj-Kat, meaning May-cat. This day is identical to April Fools’ Day, even though the Danes also celebrated the actual day.

• In the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, you can only play a prank on someone before midday. If you do it after midday, you are considered the fool instead.

• In Rome, the equivalent of April Fools’ Day is celebrated in March 25. This day is known as the Festival of Hilaria, celebrating the resurrection of the god Attis. It is also known as the Roman Laughing Day.

• In India, people play jokes on one another and smear colors on each other during the Huli Festival, celebrated on March 31, to celebrate the arrival of spring.

• April Fools’ Day falls on the Sunday and Monday before Lent in Portugal. During this celebration, people throw flour at their friends.

Source : Pearl Magazine, Jusco, March 2008

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS' DAY !!!