Widows Around the World

India, Ukraine, Israel, UK, United States

Widows in India

For widows who honor Holi, this may be of interest to you. “Holi, the festival of joy and colours, is set to unfold in Vrindavan this year with a new and inspiring aura. The festival is also poised to etch its name in the Guinness World Records.”

Over 2,000 widows to celebrate Holi in Vrindavan, India to attempt Guinness World Records

“Widows’ Holi stands as a unique cultural festival. Traditionally, widows in India were expected to renounce worldly pleasures, including festive celebrations like Holi. However, in Vrindavan – a city deeply connected to this celebration has emerged as a symbol of revolutionary change. Widows’ Holi challenges age-old taboos and has evolved from an inclusive initiative to an iconic event representing empowerment and equality.”

“This year, Holi will fill the lives of widows with vibrant hues but also serve as a powerful message of societal transformation, making its mark in history and on the global stage”, says the Daily Pioneer.

Photo credit: mathrubhumi.com

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Widows in Ukraine

EuroNews shares, “Svitlana Poltavska is from Troitske, a settlement in the Luhansk region, which sits right on the border with Russia.

When Moscow went on its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, her husband, a soldier of the State Border Guard Service, was sent to fight the invading forces and died in the first days of the war.”

“She has also joined the art therapy project “She is Alive: Love Stories,” which unites Ukrainian women who have lost their husbands and sons, using painting to express their sorrow.

Showing her paintings, Svitlana says she never did drawings before, but now it is the way for her to show her love to her fallen husband, like in one painting where she drew him as a guardian angel for her and their children.”

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