DPRK Holidays - Day of the Shining Star, Kim Jong Il Day

The inspirer of the Juche ideas in the DPRK was the leader of the country from 1948 to 1994 permanent leader - Kim Il Sung After the death of the head of state, his son, Kim Jong Il, took over his post Throughout all the years of independence of North Korea, Juche continues to be the main idea and worldview, at the center of which is the person and the revolutionary impulses of the people, leading to state self-government Two public holidays have been established in honor of national ideologists and leaders The Day of the Sun is celebrated on April 15 - it is dedicated to the date of birth of Kim Il Sung, the “Great Leader” and “Sun of the Nation” On February 16, 1941, his son Kim Jong Il was born in a partisan camp Therefore, this date falls on Shining Star Day, which received its name after the death of the leader of the nation in 2011 This holiday was established in honor of Kim Jong Il, who is popularly called the Grand Marshal, the Center of the Party, the Beloved Leader and the Bright Star of Paektusan Day of the Shining Star is a non-working day, but millions of Koreans do not spend time idly in honor of the holiday, but go to rallies and party meetings that are organized throughout the country Residents of the DPRK revere Kim Jong Il as a man who has done a lot for the well-being and prosperity of his people The leader of the nation, according to the Koreans, made a valuable contribution to the treasury of Mithraic philosophy, since in all his works he convincingly defended the ideas of socialism and the primacy of the interests of the masses In his works, Kim Jong Il relied on the proletarian leaders of the past: Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Enver Hoxha and his father Kim Il Sung According to the official ideology, no country in the world, except the DPRK, can boast of free 11-year school education, medical care and housing, which are provided to people in cities and villages Under the leadership of Kim Jong Il, new power plants and factories were built in Korea, and the country's defense capability was strengthened to protect against external enemies - the United States and Japan These achievements of the country are the merit of its leader, whom the people vigorously honor on February 16 Day of the Shining Star has been celebrated annually since 1982 The largest celebrations in honor of Shining Star Day are held in the capital of North Korea, Pyongyang The holiday includes mass gymnastic performances, plays and concerts, fireworks, military demonstrations and dance evenings Millions of Koreans visit the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on February 16, where the mausoleum of the DPRK leaders is located For Kim Jong Il's birthday, an exhibition of orchids of a variety named after him is being held, and the Children's Union of Korea (analogous to the Pioneer Organization of the USSR) is accepting new members into its ranks