Dear Hypatia admirers,

Four years passed since Hypatia Day was proclaimed on this site and so we celebrate it for the fourth time in a row.

Though this year, 2020, and in the leap years that follow, in North America the vernal equinox began falling on March 19, what matters most is the timing of the equinox in Hypatia's native city, Alexandria, where it still falls on March 20 in all the years, leap and regular alike.

Among the havoc caused worldwide by the corona-virus pandemic, there is also a bit of good news - the petition acquired 1,700 supporters from 64 countries, with new supporters from Bangladesh, Belarus, Denmark, Fuji, Nicaragua, and United Arab Emirates.

However, in terms of numbers we are far behind the pandemic. I hope that extra 300 or, better, 3,300 people on board will tip off the brim and the responsible legislative bodies, national and international, will make necessary steps to institutionalize this day.

As for now, please keep yourself safe to avoid our Hypatia's fate - though this time from the hands of the invisible assassin (whose genetic code we, however, know and, hopefully, will bring to justice in the near future).

Ari Belenkiy

Vancouver BC

Canada