December 28: Cinema's birth and Arctic indigenous traditions

December 28 unites cinema history, quirky feasts and Arctic survival

December 28 marks two unusual celebrations around the world. Cinema lovers honour the first paid film screening in 1895, while others extend their New Year festivities with a quirky holiday. The date also highlights cultural traditions and environmental concerns linked to Northern indigenous communities.

On this day in 1895, the Lumière brothers held the first public paid cinema screening in Paris. Their short film, Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory, stunned viewers—some even panicked, believing the moving images were real. The event gave rise to Cinema Day, now observed by filmmakers, actors, and fans worldwide.

Meanwhile, December 28 is also known as the Day of Continuing the Banquet. The holiday's name comes from a line in the Soviet comedy *Ivan Vasilievich Changes Profession*, where a character jokes about prolonging New Year's feasts. Online communities later adopted the phrase, turning it into a lighthearted tradition. For Northern indigenous groups like the Nenets and Evenks, this period holds deeper meaning. The end of the deer molting season signals their migration to winter pastures. The Northern deer, vital for survival, is celebrated as a sacred symbol. However, the holiday called *Day of Searching for the Northern Wild* has no historical basis—no records confirm its existence in 1930s Russia or as an ecological tradition. The date also draws attention to declining wild reindeer populations. Climate change and illegal hunting threaten their numbers, prompting calls for conservation efforts.

December 28 blends cultural quirks with serious issues. It commemorates cinema's birth, encourages festive cheer, and spotlights the struggles of Northern peoples. The day serves as both a celebration and a reminder of environmental challenges facing vulnerable species.