World day of laziness in Colombia

In Itagüi, Colombia, they celebrate laziness. Everybody takes their beds outside and relaxes all day.

Marlon Ocampo thinks it’s a great celebration.

Marlon Ocampo: "The day of laziness is to show that not everything in life is work. There are moments to rest, to lie in bed and do nothing, that is the day of laziness."

Carlos Montoya and his friends started Laziness Day in 1985, after an arts festival. They wanted quiet time to be creative and express themselves. Carlos believes that laziness is necessary.

Carlos Montoya: "Laziness is the engine of progress. When you are too lazy to cook, you go to a restaurant. When you are too lazy to wash, you buy a washing machine. When you are too lazy to organise the house, you hire someone. So, the world day of laziness is the engine of today's economy."

Not everybody can relax and be lazy during the celebrations. Some people need to help make beds and entertain those relaxing. Everybody can celebrate laziness anyway they want. Some families set up their beds in tents or hammocks with pillows and blankets. They get comfortable for the laziest day. Others entertain them with songs and dances.

Organiser Fernando Duque says laziness can produce new ideas.

Fernando Duque: "Historically, it is known that the great thinkers made their wonders in their leisure time. And that is precisely what we invite people to do, to engage in laziness with us and to creatively manifest the possibility of meeting us on a very nice day."

Laziness Day is encouraging people to slow down. Organisers think people should live calmer lives. The idea is slowly becoming popular in Europe too.

Would you join in on Laziness Day? View Less