World Day of Laziness - 21st October 2022

The World Day of Laziness sees the people of Itagüi in Colombia take to the streets - in their beds. Their aim is to do as little as possible.

Marlon Ocampo has fully committed to the concept.

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."

Laziness day was inaugurated in 1985 as the final day of an arts festival created by Carlos Montoya and his friends. They wanted to establish a space for creative leisure activities and artistic expression. Montoya now believes that laziness is what makes the world go round.

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."

Even on laziness day there are those who are required to work, making the beds, pushing them through the streets or generally entertaining those that are lazing around. But the community is invited to take part in any lethargic way they choose. Families take to the streets with their pillows, hammocks, beds, tents and anything else that they might need to be comfortably idle whilst others entertain them with artistic performances.

For organiser Fernando Duque it's a moment of laziness which might inspire a great idea.

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."

The World Day of Laziness is seen as part of the "slow" movement which is gaining traction in Europe and seeks to implement a calmness and lifestyle away from the daily hustle and bustle.

What would your day of laziness look like?