Zamenhof Day

Zamenhof Day ("Zamenhofa Tago" in Esperanto) is celebrated on December 15, the birthday of Esperanto creator L. L. Zamenhof. [ [http://www.poland.pl/archives/postpartionera/article,,id,271194.htm Post-Partition Era (19th century) - Birth certificate of Ludwik Zamenhof, dated the 15th of December 1859 ] ] It is the most widely celebrated day in Esperanto culture. [ [http://esperanto.cri.cn/1/2004/12/22/[e-mail] china radio international ] ]

The history of celebrating Esperanto on Zamenhof's birthday can be traced back to his birthday party on December 17, 1878, where he presented to his friends his "Lingwe uniwersala", the first version of his international language. By 1887, this language had evolved into what is now recognized as Esperanto when he published the "Unua Libro".

Today, many Esperanto speakers will buy an extra Esperanto book around this time of year. There are also special Esperanto gatherings and parties throughout the world to celebrate the occasion, which is used as a reason for Esperantists to get together during the winter holiday season.

Some Esperanto speakers, not wanting to over-celebrate the achievements of a single man, have suggested celebrating December 15 as Esperanto Literature Day instead. Thus they encourage Esperanto organizations that hold gatherings on that day to add a book review or poetry reading to the program or to announce the publication of a new book. On an individual level, one can buy or start reading a new book or in some other way celebrate Esperanto literature.

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