Permanent Care, Talking about Respect for the Aged on the Double Ninth Festival 关爱久久 重阳节里说敬老

关爱久久 重阳节里说敬老
Permanent Care, Talking about Respect for the Aged on the Double Ninth Festival
作为中国的传统节日，重阳节已有2000多年的历史。过节时，人们除了登高、插茱萸，还要开展各种敬老活动，所以重阳节也被称为“敬老节”、“老人节”。其实，敬老、爱老的传统并不是中国独有，世界上很多国家都有其独具特色的“老人节”。
As a traditional Chinese festival, the Double Ninth Festival has a history of over 2000 years. On this day, people hold a variety of activities to show respect for the aged, in addition to ascending a height and wearing a dogwood sprig, so the Double Ninth Festival is also called “Day for Respecting the Aged” and “Seniors’ Day”. In fact, the tradition of respecting for and caring the aged is not a unique tradition of China. Many countries in the world have their own characteristic “Seniors’ Day”.
加拿大的“老人节”又叫“笑节”。在每年6月21日，书店里摆出各种幽默书刊，供老人选购。此外，喜剧明星在养老院举行义演，电视台专门推出为老人助笑的节目。
The Canadian “Seniors’ Day” is also known as “Day of Laughter”. On June 21, the bookshops provide a variety of humorous books and periodicals for the aged. In addition, comic stars will give charity performance in nursing homes. Special comedy programs for the aged will also be played on television.
美国不仅有父亲节、母亲节，还有“祖父祖母节”，每年9月劳动节后的第一个星期天，就是美国的“祖父祖母节”，这天全美各地都要举办敬老活动，实际上也就是美国的“老人节”。
In America, in addition to Father’s Day and Mother’s Day, there is also “Grandparents’ Day”. The U.S. Grandparents’ Day is always celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day in every September. On this day, the activities to show respect for the aged are launched all over the U.S.A., and this is the U.S. “Seniors’ Day”.
日本的“老人节”又称“敬老日”，从2002年后改为每年9月的第三个星期一。老人们这天身着节日盛装，接受儿孙及亲友的祝贺，并参加各种节日活动。
The Japanese “Seniors’ Day”, also known as “Respect for the Aged Day”, has been celebrated on the third Monday in every September since 2002. On this day, the aged dress themselves up, accept congratulations from their children, grandchildren, relatives and friends, and attend various festival activities.
韩国每年5月8日的“父母节”可谓把“父亲节”、“母亲节”、“老人节”三节合一。这一天，不仅人们会为自己的父母献上礼物和问候，社会上还会举办各种敬老活动。除此之外，10月2日又是韩国法定的“老人节”，当天也会举办敬老活动。韩国对敬老传统的重视可见一斑。
“Parents’ Day”, which is celebrated on every May 8 in Korea, is a combination of “Father’s Day”, “Mother’s Day” and “Seniors’ Day”. On this day, people will present gifts and extend greetings to their parents. Moreover, all kinds of activities to show respect for the aged will also be held. In addition, October 2 is the official “Seniors’ Day” in Korea. There are also activities to show respect for the aged on that day. It is clear that Korea attaches great importance to the tradition of respecting the aged.
各国的“老人节”虽然形式、名称各异，但其实质都是一样的，即培养人们的“敬老”、“尊老”意识。过节只是一种形式，让人们真正从心底里去“敬老”、“尊老”才是最终目的。
Though various in forms and names, “Seniors’ Day” in different countries has the same essence, i.e. people’s awareness of “honoring and respecting the aged”. Celebrating a festival is a mere formality, and making people “honor and respect the aged” from the bottom of their heart is the ultimate purpose.