Italy takes part in International Women’s Day, La Festa della Donna when women of all ages celebrate this special day dedicated to them with celebratory dinners or just get together with other female friends and are often presented with bunches of bright yellow Mimosa, the recognised symbol of the day here.
International Women’s Day is recognised and celebrated in many countries around the world and the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements. Although originally a Socialist political event, the day grew in the culture of many countries, primarily in Eastern Europe. In many regions, the day has lost its political flavour, and become simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day. In other regions, however, the original political and human rights theme designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner.
This year March 8th marks the centenary of one of the events that is thought to have been the birth of International Womens Day. When in March 1911 more than one million women and men attended rallies in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland campaigning for women’s rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination.
Last year we were in China for La Festa della Donna but the previous year soon after we moved to here one of our neighbours presented me with a beautiful bunch of Mimosa in celebration. We have many Mimosa trees in the locality and this is a picture I took a few weeks ago when they were coming into bloom. normally a mass of bright yellow flowers by March 8th they have been held back a little this year due to the cold weather we have been experiencing.
This year’s UN theme for International Women’s Day 2011 is: “Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women.”
So this year on Festa della Donna International Women’s Day, let us give thanks to all those women who came before us and helped to grant us the freedom we all have in modern society.
Women are powerful these days and can help to to effect change and make a difference in other women’s lives around the world where they do not have the same freedoms that we enjoy.
With thanks to funadium at Flickr.com
Other photos and information courtesy of 
All rights reserved by LindyLouMac Photo Collection, and Wikipedia
International Women's Day and Women's History Month are important. We can never take women's rights for granted.
ReplyDeleteHappy Women's Day to you too. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteI saw and heard Annie Lennox today on "This Morning" talking about her role in International Women's Day here in the UK.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.looktothestars.org/news/5816-join-annie-lennox-in-womens-day-march
Happy Women's Day, Jackie in Surrey, UK.
Very interesting post today, Linda. I so agree we should give huge thanks to women of the past who have stood up for their rights and made the world a much better place for us to live in today. I keep trying to explain to my two daughters how things have progressed so much in, really, what is, in history terms, a very short period of time.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of International Women's Day. Not sure if it's not recognized here in the US or if it's just not promoted all that well. I love the idea. And I love those mimosa flowers. I've never seen them before and the photo you posted really caught my eye.
ReplyDeleteI feel sincerely grateful to women who came before us and helped to grant us the freedom we have now, but (here in Italy at least) Women's Day is becoming more and more one among the many commercial festivities to florists' and chocolate sellers' benefit.
ReplyDeleteFantastic post Linda .. but to be very honest I have never heard of this day until I started reading blogs ..Do we doing anything in the UK .. not sure, as I have not seen or heard anything .. think I must google!! Just read comments actually , We have a march !! Yes we must be very grateful to the women who came before us..
ReplyDeleteHappy Womans day, I agree with Anne I also did not know about it before!! The mimosa at least has some colour even if it is not fully out. Enjoy. Diane
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful celebration - and Happy Womans Day to YOU, dear friend. These photos are beautiful - I can honestly say I don't think I even knew what a mimosa tree looked like!
ReplyDeleteOff to read up on others things you've been blogging about. . .
Happy Womans Day to you Lindy!
ReplyDeleteHappy Women's Day to you Lindy!
ReplyDeleteI got my 1st text message at 6.50 this morning and didn't enjoy it very much, as I agree with Dona (it must be the same air we breathe, LOL).
I used to have a Mimosa tree in my childhood, but it died due to cold weather (they're very delicate and need a shelter in Winter)
xxxx
The first time I heard of this special day was when my daughter was studying in Cortona, Italy. She was so touched to be given a bouquet of yellow flowers by a shopkeeper. It's wonderful that this day is celebrated world wide.
ReplyDeleteI love this celebration, Linda! I've never heard of it, but I love it. :-) I'm going to celebrate it today, not sure how, but I will. :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy International Women's Day! It's interesting that in Italy, this holiday is celebrated, same as in Russia. In Canada, they don't know much about it. Your photos of the mimosas are so lovely that I can almost smell them!
ReplyDeleteSue M Dale Had to click through when I saw the mimosa - glorious plant! thanks for that!
ReplyDeletehave to say my heart goes to women and men - so many are so brave, good and true..... but I do care about supporting women to be their best - hence I spent many years running an out of school club to care for children when not at school - now i just help with our grandchildren - all good - like so many grandmas - x
I'd never heard of Women's Day until I saw it advertised in a pub I went to for lunch today. And now you have enlightened me!! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSarahx
I love love love "Le mimose"
ReplyDeleteHappy Women's Day Lindy!
I agree, we should come back to the original meaning. W le donne! :D
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I love that there's an international women's day - even though women have made great strides in society, there is still a huge gender gap, even here in the U.S. I am glad that we can recognize the contributions we make in the world!
ReplyDeleteHappy Women's Day from one woman to another! :)
Hi Linda, hope you had a lovely "festa della donna". :)
ReplyDeleteDona@ It is a sad fact that commercialism seems to be taking over all such events and celebrations.
ReplyDeleteShelia@ Yes although it seems to be celebrated at different levels of participation.
Rambling Tart@ did you find a way to celebrate I wonder, do let me know!
SueM@ Welcome and thanks so much for clicking through and commenting. It is always appreciated to know how others feel.
Kia@ Thanks for your wishes.
Yesterday it was international women’s day and many women went and stood on bridges around the world in solidarity for women around the world that are traded unfairly and some are brutally exploited. In Italy as I said it is a big event, here is just an other day…But not for me, I went and stood on the footpath bridge over the railway in Middleton Road Oswestry. I stood alone in the sun and brisk wind uttering a silent prayer for my sister in the world who do not have my freedom, and I felt I was not alone as I embraced them in my heart and soul. I was truly enriched in that instant and that moment will stay with me always. I am so glad I did it.
ReplyDeleteInternational Women's Day - an opportunity to express solidarity with other women around the world, especially exploited women. My younger sisters-in-law and friends in Italy go out for a meal - something that was rare in former generations!
ReplyDeleteThe mimosa looks wonderful!
What an interesting day..Sounds like a happy time. The mimosa is beautiful..My mom use to have mimosa trees, but different looking..very feathery pink/white flowers..then a blight came and every mimosa tree in the town died. They were so beautiful and very sad to see this happen.
ReplyDeleteYou know, it is so sad to read some comments about woman and their rights. Sometimes, I think I take so much for granted..Bless all the woman that are not free to be themselves and have to live by rules of others..
xoxoRosebud/Carolyn
Never heard of National Women's day but sounds like a worthwhile celebration. Where would we be without women? :-) Love those yellow flowers.
ReplyDeleteHappy women's day to you! Mimosa is such a beautiful flower, and vibrant!
ReplyDeleteLove the Mimosa, a sign that spring is here, enjoy the weekend! Maureen
ReplyDeleteAnon@ Thanks for your comment and letting us know how you contributed to this special day.
ReplyDeleteIcyBC @ Thankyou, I love the bright yellow flowers which always make me feel like spring is on the way.
My grandparents came from Italy to America when they were teenagers. My grandmother's beautiful accent still rings in my ears. I am so happy to find your blog and can't wait to really sit down and read it. I am your newest follower and look forward to many more enjoyable visits.
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