St. Patrick's Day is celebrated all over the world, but this year more modestly and in accordance with the measures in the fight against the corona virus pandemic
There are no traditional parades and parties, and a large number of celebrations are organized online.
Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and this day is celebrated all over the world by people of Irish origin, but also by those who love the traditions and culture of this country.
Due to the corona virus, traditional parades have been canceled for the second year in a row.
However, more events across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are being streamed online.
- How a "ghost ship" without a crew sailed the oceans for a year
- Forget Transylvania - "Dracula Was Irish"
- A bottle with a message from the North Pole found on the coast of Ireland
Additional police forces
Extra police forces have been deployed in Northern Ireland to crack down on illegal parties.
Police officers patrolled the streets of Belfast from early morning, and they paid special attention to student campuses.
The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, warned that this year's celebration must be different because of the fight against the pandemic.
In the Republic of Ireland, police banned a protest in the center of the capital, Dublin.
Around 2.500 police officers from regular special forces have been deployed to patrol high streets in cities across the Republic of Ireland.
The British Queen Elizabeth II congratulated the people of Ireland on the holiday.
In a message to the Irish Prime Minister, Michael di Higinski, she stated:
"We share ties of kinship and friendship and affection - this is now, as it was ten years ago, the foundation of our partnership," said the British Queen, who visited the Republic of Ireland a decade ago.
Everything is green
Since 2010, famous buildings and landmarks have been painted green on this day in honor of St. Patrick.
This year, 66 countries are participating in this, and almost 700 landmarks are painted green.
These include the Sydney Opera House, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Solar Giraffe in Mozambique and Crooked Lake Sauna in Finland.
Officials in the American city of Chicago wanted to cancel the traditional coloring of the river in green this year, but the mayor made a different decision.
Traditionally, every March 17, the Irish Prime Minister brings a bowl full of shamrocks to Chicago.
This year the ceremony was held online.
A bowl of clover will be on US President Joe Biden's desk during his meeting with Michael Martin, the Irish Prime Minister.
Saint Patrick lived in the fifth century and is believed to have played an important role in the spread of Christianity in Ireland.
He allegedly used the three-leaf clover to explain the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity to the people of Ireland.
St. Patrick's Day was originally a religious holiday, but has grown into an international celebration of Irish culture.
Follow us on Facebook i Twitter. If you have a topic proposal for us, contact us at bbcnasrpskom@bbc.co.uk
Bonus video:
