Can you look at these 9 photos and not smile on International Day of Happiness?

A boy jumps into the Chao Phraya river during a heatwave in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 22, 2024. This image recalls the free feeling of leaping from several times one’s height into water as a child to escape the summer heat. The boundless energy to repeat the feat over and over again as your friends laugh and cheer you on. A time many of us might remember as one when we felt truly whole and at peace, even if life wasn’t perfect. It’s always worth realizing that this version of ourselves still exists somewhere inside, and to let that lend us a sense of well-being that can never be taken away.

The boy and bird are, of course, not really flying together. But … they are both airborne. The child is jumping into the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok, Thailand, during a heatwave in February 2024. Photographer Andre Malerba notes: “This image recalls the free feeling of leaping from several times one’s height into water to escape the heat as friends laugh and cheer you on. A time many of us might remember as when we felt truly whole and at peace, even if life wasn’t perfect. It’s always worth realizing that this version of ourselves still exists somewhere inside and to let that lend us a sense of well-being that can never be taken away.” Andre Malerba / The Everyday Projects/‎

What’s the appropriate greeting for the International Day of Happiness? Happy Happiness Day? Have a happy day of happiness? Happy happy to ya?

You may think this is a frivolous question, but today — March 20 — is in fact International Day of Happiness. Declared by the United Nations in 2013, this special day recognizes the importance of happiness as “a fundamental goal” in people’s lives around the world.

“It’s a day to be happy, of course!” the U.N. offers.

The theme this year is “caring and sharing.” We asked the photojournalists of The Everyday Projects — a global community of photographers — to share images from their archives that can spark happiness and are also featuring a picture by one of NPR’s photographers.

Happy happiness day!

Big Roma wedding in the Fakulteta neighbourhood. Everything starts early in the morning, with an orchestra entertaining the wedding guests and neighbours in the area. The wedding was the first real event after a couple of months of lockdown for the COVID-19 pandemic. 03 Jun, 2020, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Members of the Roma community in Sofia, Bulgaria, celebrate at a wedding, with musicians entertaining the guests. Anastas Tarpanov / The Everyday Projects

Ruth Infante (second from left), a single mother of three, and her classmates donned traditional flowing dresses for their Cumbia dance performance at a center in Bogotá, Colombia, that provides happy respite for family caregivers. Ben de la Cruz/NPR

Paulina Iza Tipán (36), Cotopaxi National Park guide. Paulina walks on the moors of the Cotopaxi. She has lived near the Cotopaxi Volcano all her life and, even so, she says that every day she sees it differently. “I love it here, I will never get tired of coming here”. Cotopaxi, Ecuador. March Tuesday 5th, 2024. I chose this person and these photos because when I met Paulina she spread that joy of belonging to a place, of being happy where she is and with what she does. She loves to show tourists HER land, her place in the world. She is a quiet but very eloquent woman when it comes to guiding on her mountain.

Paulina Iza Tipán, who’s 36, is a guide in Ecuador’s Cotopaxi National Park. She has lived near the Cotopaxi Volcano all her life and, even so, she says that every day she sees it differently. “I love it here, I will never get tired of coming here.” Photographer Yolanda Escobar Jiménez adds: “When I met Paulina she spread that joy of belonging to a place, of being happy where she is and with what she does. She loves to show tourists her place in the world.” Yolanda Escobar Jiménez / The Everyday Projects/‎

Children from the eastern city of Kharkiv which is being shelled regularly by Russainn forces, learing how to breakdance in order to relive tentions and stress from the onlgoing war in their city /country. Ukraine.

Children from the eastern city of Kharkiv in Ukraine learn how to breakdance to relieve tension and stress from the ongoing war in their city and country — a moment of joy amid the sorrows of conflict. Amnon Gutman / The Everyday Projects

A woman is taking a young girl to school on March 12, 2023, in Bariga, Lagos. I had just started shooting that calm morning for a project on election posters when she passed by carrying a girl and a schoolbag. Her unexpected smile and the randomness of our brief interaction set a friendly pace for the rest of my day in the field. NOTE: Created with funding from CFI / StoryMi Academy

A woman takes a young girl to school in Bariga, Lagos. Photographer Fawaz Oyedeji says: “I had just started shooting that calm morning for a project on election posters when she passed by carrying a girl and a schoolbag. Her unexpected smile set a friendly pace for the rest of my day in the field.” Fawaz Oyedeji / The Everyday Projects/‎

On March 15, 2020, dancer Chris Radford performs with friends during rehearsals at Fabric Studio in Birmingham, UK. I chose this image as the expression on Chris' face resembles freedom, embracing the moment, surrounded by friends doing what they love to do.

Dancer Chris Radford performs with friends during rehearsals at Fabric Studio in Birmingham in the United Kingdom. Photographer Anthony Shintai says: “I chose this image as the expression on Chris’ face resembles freedom, embracing the moment, surrounded by friends doing what they love to do.” Anthony Shintai / The Everyday Projects/‎

A woman smiles while having her photo taken next to cherry blossoms in Chiang Mai, Thailand, onJanuary 14, 2022. Every year, Thailand is the first country in the world to feature cherry blossoms in the northern part of the country. People from all over the country and abroad come to enjoy the beauty of nature, often camping for several days so as to wake up with sun and get the most out of their time with the blossoms. It is a wonderful example of nature drawing people away from every day life and the cities to enjoy something simple together.

A woman basks in the beauty of the cherry blossoms in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Photographer Andre Malerba says: “People from all over the country and abroad come to enjoy the beauty of nature, often camping for several days so as to wake up with sun and get the most out of their time with the blossoms. It is a wonderful example of nature drawing people away from every day life and the cities to enjoy something simple together. ” Andre Malerba / The Everyday Projects/‎

Balinese child plays in the sea waters amidst Pura Batu Bolong Hindu temple at Bali, Indonesia. Purau Batu Bolong temple is located on the natural arch bridge. The bridge connects the ancient shine between the land and sea. It was a visual treat to watch the sun’s low descent and the retreating tides. I was able to then get closer to the temple during low tide and remained in awe of the intricate rock formations which surrounds Pura Batu Bolong. As my shoot was coming to a close, I sensed the presence of another life unfolding—the child playfully frolicking among the waves. It was a moment of pure tranquility, and as the sun sank behind the ancient temple formations, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace wash over me. NOTE: This image has been published by Sony AlphaUniverse, an exploration of Oceanic Wonders. https://alphauniverse.sony-asia.com/inspire/featured/indonesia-oceanic

A child plays in the sea near the Pura Batu Bolong Hindu temple at Bali, Indonesia, located on the natural arch bridge. Photographer Amrita Chandradas was “in awe” of the intricate rock formations ” and says the sight of the child “frolicking among the waves” created “a moment of pure tranquility.” Amrita Chandradas / The Everyday Projects/‎

Via NPR

Can you look at these 9 photos and not smile on International Day of Happiness?

Can you look at these 9 photos and not smile on International Day of Happiness?

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