Who
doesn't like festive seasons? The magical music, the fierce dance, the
vibrancy, the color and the enthusiasm! Being at festivals is like
standing inside the mind of a culture as it dreams. So here are the 10
coolest and most unique festivals celebrated around the world. I bet it
will be a divine experience.
1.Saint Patrick's Festival, Dublin
Saint
Patrick's Day, also known as Feast of Saint Patrick is celebrated every
year on March,17th in the memory of Saint Patrick. It is a festival for
all the true Irishmen and those who feel Irish from their heart. History
states that March,17 marks the death of Saint Patrick. Saint Patrick
baptised people and cast out paganism. Hence the Irish believe that
thanks to him there are no snakes on their island.
Department
stores are all decorated with green shamrock,a three-leaved plant which
symbolizes the day. After green-the color of spring,the shamrock and
national color of Ireland,the famous Irish Whiskey "Jameson" is sold in
green glass bottles. People get dressed and painted in bright green,
some wear costumes with red wigs and green caps, carry bagpipes and
arrange lavish parades. They also listen to Irish music and sing funny
songs.
Noisy
celebrations are continued all day long and end with a grand display of
fireworks. Indispensable companions are Irish whiskey and beer, foods
such as corned beef with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes with
parsley and green onions-generally foods that are green in color. For
the Irish around the world, this is a magical day when winter dreams
begin to turn into the wonders of summer!
2.Night of the Witches, Mexico
If
witches and wizards have a spiritual home, it may well be the Mexican
town of Catemaco. In 1970, a local shaman was struck with an idea to
host a witchcraft convention and now every year hundreds of shamans,
witches and healers from all over Mexico travel to Catemaco to perform a
mass cleansing ceremony designed to rid them of previous year's
negative energies. It is more of "Bewitched" than "The Blair Witch
Project" with the event attracting tourists from all over the world.
The
streets are crowded with vendors selling trinkets, magical potions and
healings. Spiritualists and sorcerors hang out in every nook and cranny
selling traditional remedies. The festival officially called 'Noche de
Brujas' starts on the first Thursday night in March and carries on
through the weekend. Hire a brujas and have them cast a spell on
someone! It might be just the place for that lucky rabbit's foot you've
always looked for.
3.Dragon Boat Festival, China
The
Dragon Boat festival, also known as the Dwanwu Festival has been
celebrated in China for more than 25,000 years! The Fifth day of the
Fifth lunar month marks the beginning of the various events held and
also boosts up the tourism industry. Legend says that a Chinese patriot,
Qu Yuan threw himself into the Mi Lo river to protest against the
corrupt government in the period of 475-221 BC. In order to save him and
prevent the fish from eating him, the locals threw rice patties into
the river. Ever since then rice dumplings or zongzi are prepared and
eaten during this festival season. Other activities include drinking
realgar wine and dragon boat racing.
Dragon
boats are giant sized boats painted attractively and embellished with a
dragon head and tail. The race begins with the rowing of boats to the
rhythm of pounding drums. Once the night falls the breath-taking Dragon
Lanterns and brightly lit creations come alive and truly steal the
show.Since summer is a time when diseases spread rapidly, Dragon Boat
Festival represents an occasion for driving off evil spirits and
pestilence and for finding peace in one's life.
4.Carnival of Venice, Italy
The
tradition of carnival dates back over 900 years. It was the one time
during the year when there were no bounds. Everybody was free to do
things desired all year without any guilt thanks to the masks. In Italy,
it is celebrated in different ways varying from city to city. The most
popular is the Carnival of Venice which is famous for masks.
Venetian
masks were wore first in the 15th century to remove social and sexual
differences. During the carnival, Venice comes alive with masked
Venetians and tourists. Bands,jugglers and entertainers are everywhere
and the canals are full of colorful boats. The nights are also full of
parties and masked balls.It gives you a feeling as if fairy tales are
coming alive!
5.Las Fallas, Spain
Las
Fallas, one of Spain's most odd and crazy fiestas held every year in
Valencia. Las Fallas means "the fires" in Valencian. The origin of Las
Fallas dates back to the 16th century when the onset of spring season
was celebrated as a pagan ritual. The focus of this festival is to
create and destroy ninots(puppets or dolls), which are statues made out
of cardboard,wood,paper-mache and plaster. These ninots are lifelike and
usually demonstrate satirical scenes or poke fun at corrupt politicians
and Spanish celebrities. Many ninots are several feet tall. The ninots
remain intact until March 19th, after which men stuff them with
fireworks.
All the
streetlights are switched off and the ninots are set on fire at 12 am
exactly. The last ones to be burnt win prizes and 1 ninot is saved every
year for an exhibition at the Museum. When at midnight Valencia goes up
in flames with about 300 ninots being burnt, the spectacle is
unforgettable!
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