Subject: Put Your Party Hat On
Posted by: looney_tunes
Date: Aug 12 10
Every country has its special holidays, and holiday traditions – food, costume, celebratory activities – that we can enjoy as we travel on the Bus Ride. We may not manage to be there on the best day, but let's share information about what we could experience in the right season!
Many of us will be relying on second-hand sources for information - if you live in the country we are visiting, please let us all know how YOU celebrate any special holidays.
Posted by: looney_tunes
Date: Aug 12 10
Every country has its special holidays, and holiday traditions – food, costume, celebratory activities – that we can enjoy as we travel on the Bus Ride. We may not manage to be there on the best day, but let's share information about what we could experience in the right season!
Many of us will be relying on second-hand sources for information - if you live in the country we are visiting, please let us all know how YOU celebrate any special holidays.
225 replies. On page 10 of 12 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
looney_tunes
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The Bibylos International Festival is a music festival held during the month of July in Bibylos, Lebanon, an ancient Phoenician city dating from 5000 BCE. It is oriented towards modern music, taking place by the sea side in front of the big castle built by the Crusaders in the 12th century. Between performances, you can take advantage of the location to: visit the Ottoman souk in the old city; walk through the renovated Medieval souk leading to the Crusaders' Fortress, which includes a fossil museum; climb the Citadel staircase and visit the site museum full of historical information about the history of Bibylos, including ceramics, Phoenician inscriptions, ancient anchors, statues, a votive offering altar, an exhibition of the discovery of the alphabet and a film illustrating the historical development of the city; visit the wax museum near St John cathedral (built in 1115), then explore the cathedral itself; visit the port and see the Pépé Abed museum along with a range of restaurants and cafes. Reply #181. Jan 17 11, 2:23 AM |
| looney_tunes
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Tajikistan's biggest annual celebration is the spring festival of Navruz, literally "New Day". Navruz marks the beginning of the Persian New Year, which starts at the spring equinox in late March. (The exact date of the celebration depends on the timing of the equinox). The roots of the festival are Zoroastrian - the fire-worshipping religion that the Persians followed before they converted to Islam. As well as wearing new clothes to celebrate the New Year, many people make 'sumanak', flat cakes made from sprouted lentils, barley or wheat (the unused portion of these sprouts being used in another part of the rites). It is a tradition to select a girl to be the 'white bride' and one to be the 'green bride', each representing aspects of the new life. Several days before Navruz, a large tablecloth is spread on the floor. On it are placed lighted candles; a copy of al-Qur'an (holy book of the Muslims) or the Avesta (holy book of the Zoroastrians) or the Bible or the Torah (depending on the faith to which the family belongs); Haftsin or seven edible things the names of which begin with the letter "sin" ("s") and/or "shin" ("sh"), a mirror placed face up with a plain hard-boiled egg placed on it in the middle; a bowl of clear water with an orange and a leaf of a rose bush floating in it; live goldfish in a bowl of clear water; the sprouts that have been growing since early March decorated with a red ribbon around the outside and an orange seated in the center. Reply #182. Jan 18 11, 2:05 AM |
| looney_tunes
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Saint Lucia was named because Christopher Columbus first spotted the island on St Lucy's Day (December 13) in 1502. December 13 is the National Day, celebrated with sporting, cultural and religious events. The preceding night features the celebration of the Festival of Lights and Renewal, in honor of St Lucy's designation as the saint of light. Decorative lights decorate the capital city of Castries, many with a Christmas theme as befits the season; there is a competition for decorated lanterns, and the whole thing culminates in a fireworks display. Street parties often last until dawn. Reply #183. Jan 19 11, 12:19 AM |
| looney_tunes
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On February 2 the Festival of the Goddess of the Sea (whose Uruguayan name is Lemanja) is celebrated in Uruguay, primarily in Montevideo and Punta Del Este. Thousands of worshippers (along with many spectators) gather on the beaches during the afternoon to make their offerings to the goddess. Dressed in white or light blue, they present flowers, watermelons, candles and small statues of the goddess, amongst other items. Some celebrants build sand sculptures, and others launch small boats containing their offerings. Lemanja (also called Yemaya, among many variants in African and South American countries) is an orisha, a spirit that reflects one of the manifestations of Olodumare (God) in the Yoruba religion. Africans brought this goddess (along with many other nature deities) when they were first brought to South America as slaves, and she is now prominent in a number of African-American religious practices. Lemanja is the ocean, motherhood personified, and a protector of children. Reply #184. Jan 20 11, 12:29 AM |
| looney_tunes
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April in Afghanistan signals the arrival of spring, which is celebrated in a number of regional festivals. On April 13, the Orange Blossom Festival (Narinj Gul) is celebrated in Jalalabad. This involves a mushaira, or poet's festival, dedicated to celebrating (you guessed it) Jalalabad's orange blossoms. The main event takes place under orange trees in the royal garden. On April 23, you can visit the Chak e Wardak district of Wardak Province to welcome spring with the Apple Blossom Festival. Celebrations include musical performances and picnics under (you're way ahead of me) the apple blossoms. Reply #185. Jan 21 11, 12:02 AM |
| looney_tunes
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One of Morocco's more picturesque traditions in the wax lantern procession called 'Mawkib Esh Shomouaa' which takes place in the town of Salé on the eve of Mouloud (feast celebrating the birth of the prophet Mohammed). The procession is said to date from the Barbary period (17th century), when pirates carried wax lanterns to the sanctuary of the town's patron saint to ask for protection before undertaking a long voyage. In the evening of the day preceding Mouloud, sailors dressed up as pirates re-enact the procedure, carrying lanterns on high poles through town to the shrine of Sidi Abdallah Ben Hassoun. Reply #186. Jan 22 11, 12:08 AM |
| looney_tunes
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In Astana, Kazakhstan the month of July brings the Astana International Contest of Kazakh Song. During the three days of the festival, traditional Kazakh songs are interpreted and presented by foreign performers (no Kazakhs allowed in the competition). The contestants sing the songs in their own language, and bring in elements of their own national traditions and styles. The festival also features young Kazakh performers interpreting music from other cultures, as well as traditional Kazakh performances. Reply #187. Jan 23 11, 12:27 AM |
| looney_tunes
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Kosovo has a bunch of music and theatre festivals on offer, but currently are having trouble attracting high-quality participants. However, 40BunarFest is still going strong! (I haven't been able to find an exact date for this event, which is clearly held in the summertime; the link below to pictures may contain the information, but not in a language with which I am conversant.) The event involves throwing oneself into the icy Bistrica river near Prizren on a tractor tire, and racing downstream floating/paddling with the hands. Helmets and lifejackets are strongly recommended. Bruise cream for post-race treatment also looks advisable. Pictures and more information (if you can read it) can be found at this link: http://www.40bunarfest.org/ Reply #188. Jan 24 11, 3:54 AM |
| looney_tunes
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The largest festival in Tonga is the Heilala Festival, named after Tonga's national flower. It has been held annually for the last 30 years, on variable dates extending over about two weeks in June and/or July. The festival provides an excellent opportunity to observe local culture: the graceful dances, amazing harmonies in traditional song, displays of the handiwork of local artisans and sporting events create a lively and diverse range of activities. One of the highlights as promoted by the tourist office is the Miss Heilala Pageant, featuring young Tongan women competing against overseas contestants for the coveted title. The last day of the festival usually features a grand parade of floats, one of which features the newly-crowned Miss Heilala. Reply #189. Jan 25 11, 1:00 AM |
| looney_tunes
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One of the more spectacular celebrations in North Korea is the Arirang Festival (full name the Grand Mass Gymnastics and Artistic Performance Arirang), a two-month-long celebration of the birthday of Kim Il-Sung (April 15) which is held in the Rungrado May Day Stadium on Pyongyang from August until October. The opening event of this extravagant salute to the nation's leader is the mass games, renowned for the huge mosaic pictures created by over 30,000 children holding up colored cards and moving in elaborate patterns. Their display is accompanied by complex routines from thousands of gymnasts and dancers. In 2007 the Guinness Book of Records acknowledged the event as the largest of its kind. Reply #190. Jan 26 11, 12:05 AM |
| looney_tunes
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When the Formula One Offshore Powerboat Racing competition hits town, Qatar is all abuzz with the excitement and action. Not only can you see the boats racing at speeds up to 160 kph, you can participate in such other water-based activities as water skiing, jet skiing, sailing, scuba diving, kayaking and parasailing. Perhaps you would like to try sand skiing on the dunes, or ice skating (on artificial ice rinks like the one in City Center Mall, Doha) to help while the time away. Reply #191. Jan 27 11, 2:20 AM |
| looney_tunes
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Biikebrennen (German name) or Pers Awten (Danish name) is a celebration held in North Frisia, Germany and South Jutland, Denmark on February 21 each year. Bonfires (biike) are lit at or soon after sunset in most towns and many isolated farmhouses. Additional activities may include theatrical performances, cabaret acts and dancing. In some places a strawman symbolizing the winter is burnt, and some authorities connect the celebration with ancient pagan celebrations to welcome Spring back again. Others argue that, since the word 'biike' means 'beacon', the bonfires may have developed from the practice of lighting beacons to guide whalers returning home in the 17th and 18th centuries. Reply #192. Jan 28 11, 12:04 AM |
Janass 
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Thank you, once again, for keeping us informed and entertained daily. You deserve a badge for your amazing hard work. Reply #193. Jan 28 11, 5:21 PM |
| looney_tunes
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Thanks for the feedback, Janass. It's nice to know that someone is actually reading these posts after all the time it takes to find out something interesting some days! I love doing the research, but it would feel pretty futile to publish the results here if it weren't actually reaching anyone. The Songkran Festival is celebrated in Thailand from April 13 to 15, observing the traditional New Year's Day. It officially recognizes the entry of the sun into the Zodiac sign of Aries, the Vernal Ezuinox, but its date has been fixed in April, rather than the current equinox date on March 21/22. One of the most obvious aspects of the celebrations is the throwing of water – you will see people roaming the streets with buckets of water, water guns, garden hoses, whatever they have to drench those they meet. This probably originated in using the water that had been used to cleanse the public images of Buddha to share the blessedness of the water wit others and endow good fortune for the coming year. In some cities, the images are paraded through the streets so that the citizens can throw water on them as they pass. The festival is also a time to pay respects to elderly relatives, and prepare oneself for a new year full of good resolutions. Reply #194. Jan 29 11, 12:31 AM |
| Janass
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You are reaching many of us. I love the idea of throwing water as part of the Thai celebrations. Thank you and best wishes in the new year, Looney Tunes Happy quizzing, Janass Reply #195. Jan 29 11, 7:44 PM |
| looney_tunes
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The Festival of Antique Carpets takes place in the Zemo Alvani Valley in the Tusheti region of Georgia. This street festival features handmade carpets, scarves and hats adorning the streets of the city. Traditional Tushetian dances and songs are performed. When you have had your fill of carpets, move on to the horse racing and archery competitions. Traditional Georgian food and wine are readily obtained. Reply #196. Jan 30 11, 12:04 AM |
| looney_tunes
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St Petersburg, Russia celebrates an annual international arts festival every summer called the White Nights Festival. It includes classical ballet and opera, as well as traditional Russian dancers, singers, musicians and actors. The climax of the festival is the Scarlet Sails, which involves music concerts and a water-show on the Neva River that includes rowing and motorboat races, as well as a mock battle between pirates that culminates in the appearance of a tall ship carrying scarlet sails. Reply #197. Jan 31 11, 2:47 AM |
| looney_tunes
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The Festival of Hope in Maputo was originally organised to create awareness of the dangers of HIV and AIDS. Since its inception, it has featured a number of international stars such as UB40, Zimbabwean Oliver Mtukudzi, and South African reggae singer Lucky Dubeand. Mozambique’s local talent, including Ghorwane, Kapa Dech, and the country’s most successful rock group, Rockfellers, has also featured prominently. Reply #198. Feb 01 11, 12:02 AM |
| looney_tunes
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Most Portuguese towns and villages have their own patron saints, and each community celebrates their patron's official feast day, giving a strong sense of local identity to residents. You can find a festa (feast day celebration) somewhere in Portugal on almost any day of the year. Celebrations usually start with Mass in the local church, after which a statue or image of the saint is processed through the streets, accompanied by music and dancing. Large amounts of wine are often consumed as part of the merriment, and fireworks are a common climax to the proceedings. Some festas include other local activities, such as the 'brides of St Anthony' in Lisbon, a ceremony in which newly-wed couples offer thanks to St Anthony (and hopeful singles offer prayers of supplication). The Festa Sao Bartolomeu in Porto features a procession of puppets, and a swim on the sea. Reply #199. Feb 02 11, 1:23 AM |
shuehorn
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I want to add my voice to the thanks for these tidbits. I commented on the Feedback board about the high quality of these facts compared to the Fun Facts contributions (for the most part). I love what you have given all of us, Looney_tunes, and I hope you know there are more of us reading than you know! Reply #200. Feb 02 11, 1:45 PM |
225 replies. On page 10 of 12 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
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