World Mushroom Picker’s Day

October 15, Wednesday

World Mushroom Picker’s Day
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The World Mushroom Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated annually on October 14. It is dedicated to all lovers of the “quiet hunt” — mushroom picking — as well as to those who study, grow, and cook mushrooms.

History of the holiday
The exact date of the holiday’s origin is unknown, but the tradition of celebrating the World Mushroom Picker’s Day appeared among mushroom enthusiasts and ecologists as a way to draw attention to the diversity of mushrooms, their role in the ecosystem, and the importance of responsible picking. It is believed that the date, September 14, was not chosen by chance: this period marks the peak of the mushroom season in Europe and the post-Soviet region.

Meaning of the holiday
Mushrooms play an enormous role in nature. They:

* participate in the decomposition of organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil;
* form symbiosis with plants, helping them obtain nutrients;
* serve as an important part of the diet for many animals and humans.

Traditions of celebration
In different countries, the holiday is celebrated in various ways. Usually, it is a time for:

* going to the forest with baskets to pick mushrooms;
* holding mushroom exhibitions and festivals;
* organizing educational lectures and workshops on identifying edible and poisonous species;
* exchanging mushroom recipes and holding tastings.

Interesting facts about mushrooms

* There are more than 100,000 known species of mushrooms, but scientists believe there may be over a million.
* The largest living organism on the planet is a fungus — the honey mushroom (Armillaria ostoyae) in Oregon, USA, which covers more than 9 square kilometers.
* Mushrooms belong neither to plants nor to animals — they form a separate kingdom of living nature.

Conclusion
The World Mushroom Day is not only an occasion to go into the forest and enjoy nature, but also an opportunity to remind people about careful treatment of ecosystems, the importance of protecting forests, and preserving mushroom diversity.

World Mushroom Picker’s Day in other years

World Mushroom Picker’s Day in other countries

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