Press Release
BULGARIA AND NORTH MACEDONIA CELEBRATE THE
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA 2020 ONLINE
The date of June 21st was chosen and declared officially by the UN as International Day of Yoga (IDY) in 2014. This is the day of the summer solstice, which has the longest daylight period during the year. Since then, this day has been bringing together people worldwide who explore, study and practice the ancient discipline, as well as those who want to learn more or get acquainted with it for the first time, at general practices (abhyas), conferences, seminars and other events
Today, the world is facing the challenge of a global pandemic of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus, and mass gatherings and trips are not possible. However, the day will be celebrated again around the world, albeit digitally, and everyone will be able to participate individually, the way this discipline has been traditionally practiced. The theme for the 6th International Day of Yoga is “Ghar ghar se Yoga – Yoga from Home.”
On June 21st the IDY will be celebrated in 38 settlements in Bulgaria and several locations in North Macedonia including the largest cities, towns and villages. On this day, various yoga sessions and lectures will be available online, meant to connect yoga with the needs of today. This need is already recognized by a number of modern scientific disciplines and practices, such as medicine, psychology and sport. Yoga is researched and studied in many universities around the world, and a notable example is that it is included as a regular/obligatory subject for all medical students at Harvard Medical School.
The online IDY Programme this year will be live-streamed on 21 June from 10:00 hours EEST while the special inaugural session will commence at 10:30 hours EEST on the following social media links:
https://www.facebook.com/IndiaInBulgaria/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLX5vI0s5RGj_mIu_PquYcQ
The event will begin with an official opening, carried out by H. E. the Ambassador of India to Bulgaria and North Macedonia, Ms. Pooja Kapur, the Patron of the event, and Mrs. Vera Zaharieva, President of the Bulgarian Yoga Federation. On the occasion, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi’s address will be telecast, who six years ago initiated the process of the unprecedented majority support by the UN General Assembly for the resolution, establishing 21 June as International Day of Yoga. Prominent Bulgarians and North Macedonians will also take part with short video addresses. Greetings by yoga practitioners from various yoga clubs and schools from all over Bulgaria and North Macedonia will be disseminated. The Common Yoga Protocol as well as short performances of synchronized yoga by children and adults will also be presented.
As always, Sofia will celebrate IDY with a high-quality, rich programme. The best certified teachers and representatives of famous schools of classical yoga will demonstrate a variety of asanas for all who wish to practice or simply listen and observe. Viewers will be able to benefit from these at home on their own, with their family or in small groups, according to the rules prescribed by the epidemiological regulations. Prominent scientists, doctors and yoga practitioners from Bulgaria, North Macedonia and India will deliver lectures on various aspects of Yoga as well as Ayurveda. Special attention will be paid to the role of Yoga and Ayurveda in improving immunity in the fight against COVID-19, as well as in dealing with its impact on the human psyche.
The digitalization of this year's celebration provides a unique opportunity for viewers to see and hear yoga practices and lectures by practitioners and yoga instructors from across Bulgaria and North Macedonia on the links given above from 21 June onwards. There will also be some flash yoga sessions in Sofia albeit following epidemiological measures.
The celebrations of IDY in Bulgaria and North Macedonia are organized by the Embassy of the Republic of India in cooperation with a number of governmental and non-governmental organizations, viz. the Bulgarian Yoga Federation, Bulgarian Yoga Association, Art of Living Foundation – Bulgaria & North Macedonia, Association India Devam Foundation, East-West Indological Foundation, and with the active participation of all widely represented yoga schools and dozens of yoga clubs across both countries.
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