World Beard Day (03/09)

Every first Saturday in September, World Beard Day is celebrated. All representatives of the male half of humanity who wear a beard can join the events dedicated to this holiday.

The story of wearing or giving up a beard – is a story of preferences, tastes, fashion trends, religious beliefs, ideas about beauty and masculinity, that is, the history of human life.

For some, wearing a beard, cut in a certain way, was and remains a sign of belonging to a religious movement, for others – to a certain subculture. In the history of each nation, ideas about a man's appearance changed over time. There have been long periods of history when wearing a beard was an indicator of a man’s belonging to a certain social stratum, a sign of masculinity, or an indicator of sedateness, solidity and loyalty to following patriarchal principles.

There was a period in the history of Russia when a beard, as an everyday phenomenon, even turned out to be a sign of adherence to traditional values in defiance of the innovations of European fashion. Without going into the reasons for the extremes of many of Peter’s transformations, among which was the beard tax, which caused a lot of indignation among the contemporaries of Peter I, one should remember that the beard turned out to be a cultural phenomenon that attracted attention long before the era of the first Russian emperor. Discussion at the highest state level on the issue of allowing wearing a beard was raised in Europe back in the 16th century, and in church circles even earlier than – in the 12th century.

The twentieth century, especially its second half, became a period of development of subcultural trends, when a person’s appearance became an indicator of belonging to a particular subculture. That's when the beard gained popularity again in certain community groups. This trend continues to be relevant today.

However, today wearing a beard is closely intertwined with fashionable trends in a man’s appearance. The beard has become a «trend», which is not only talked about, but even sung from the stage. The return of the fashion for wearing a beard also led to an expansion of the range of services, when hairdressing salons began providing beard care services, following the market principle of following demand. The concept of «barber» began to revive, and the concept of «barbershop» also appeared (characteristic of Russia, since this term was not previously used). In these establishments, in addition to cutting hair, a whole range of mustache and beard care services are provided. Many of these establishments become like men's clubs.

In these establishments, in addition to cutting hair, a whole range of services for caring for mustaches and beards is provided (Photo: © ivanriver /Photobank Photodjenika)

Every first Saturday in September – is a holiday celebrated by those who wear a beard, those who like this fashion, and those who are involved in beard care services.

Various events are timed to coincide with the holiday, including photo exhibitions, photo shoots, flash mobs, where beard holders demonstrate to everyone how a beard can radically change a man’s image. Crazy people conduct master classes on beard care or beard modeling for a person with certain facial features.

Everyone can post photos of themselves with a beard on social networks, exchanging experiences, and demonstrating their new image. In Australia, there is a tradition of holding an ax throwing competition among bearded men on this day, where participants probably associate themselves with ancient warriors, just like they wore beards. And in the USA, the International Beard and Mustache Championship is generally held.

Men who do not wear a beard try not to shave on this day, supporting their friends and all men who prefer a luxurious, stylish beard to a smoothly shaved face. The choice remains with each person, and respect for the preferences and feelings of another person is a sign of wisdom.



Postcard «World Beard Day» Article «Beard — attribute of male beauty?»

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