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Post owls in Transcarpathia

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St. Nicholas Day commemorates the Christian saint St. Nicholas. Children write him letters with their holiday wishes and place them in the mailbox or on the window on the eve of the holiday.

The “owl boom” took over the entire world after the release of Joanne Rowling’s books about the young wizard – Harry Potter. The postal service in the wizarding world is distinguished by the fact that owls deliver letters, newspapers, various messages, and parcels.

Schoolchildren from Transcarpathia came to the Volunteer Center “Everyone Can Help” to deliver letters to St. Nicholas via the center’s little owl. At the same time, Leonid Pokrytyuk, an expert from the Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies, told the children about owl biology, preferences, and vulnerability. Students became acquainted with a large family of owls while inspecting the information stands.

Ukraine is home to three species of little owls: Eurasian pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum), boreal owl (Aegolius funereus), and little owl or owl of Munerva (Athene noctua). The first two are found in taiga-like forests. The third can be found in the open steppe, as well as in gardens and parks near cities and villages.

The little owl is a fascinating and adorable creature. Body size is small, with fluffy and soft plumage and a rounded head shape. He avoids the forest, unlike other owls,  wWillingly settles in attics, towers, and bell towers, among other places. A vivid imagination transformed the little owl into a symbol of wisdom: it was the owl of Athena Pallas and Minerva. The name Minerva was retained in the owl’s scientific name.

Our feathered bird willingly posed and took pictures after being spoiled with mice. Owls are among the most mysterious birds for good reason. The human imagination has always been captivated by the hidden nocturnal lifestyle, “intelligent” look, silent flight, and insightful voice. These birds were revered, and they were associated with gods and heroes, becoming a symbol of wisdom. Owls appear as advisors, perceptive birds, messengers, and carriers of unusual knowledge in many fairy tales and legends.

On the other hand, these characteristics caused people to not only adore, but also fear owls, making them symbols of night and death in some cultures. Almost all owl species now require human protection and assistance.

The event was held within the framework of cooperation between the Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies- IERS (headed by Alexander Bokotey) and the Nature Conservation Union of Germany (NABU BundesverbandNABU International), project coordinators –  Ivan Tymofeiev (NABU), Nataliya Kulya (IERS).

Informational Service of IERS

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