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 12 of 12 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
looney_tunes
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The Kerry town of Killorglin holds what is reputed to be Ireland's oldest street fair on August 10-12, "Puck Fair". The origins of the festival are long lost, although there are a number of popular stories. Some sort of fair can certainly be traced back as far as a charter from King James I of England in 1603, which gave legal status to the collection of tolls for an existing animal fair. Some suggest it comes from a pre-Christian harvest festival in which a male goat (Puck) was a fertility symbol. King Puck has also been associated with Oliver Cromwell – invading Roundhead forces startled a herd of goats, and the make leader escaped to Killorglin and alerted the residents to the approaching danger; the festival was said to have been set up in recognition of this service. (This story, of course, places the origin later than would be consistent with the 1603 charter.) Yet another legend connects the celebration to the establishment of a goat fair in 1808 in an attempt to reestablish a local landlord's right to collect taxes on the animals coming to the August fair by decreeing that it was a goat fair rather than a cattle fair. Whatever the origins, a goat is crowned king, a girl is selected as "Queen of Puck", a cattle fair is held on the middle day, and everyone has a grand old time. Reply #221. Feb 20 11, 12:12 AM |
| looney_tunes
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In the Czech Republic, there is a traditional harvest festival called Obzinky. The last sheaf of grain gathered from any field is traditionally held to have healing power, and to bring fertility to the family and the farm. This last sheaf is therefore used carefully. Bits of it may be included in the wreaths traditionally woven to be placed on the heads of local girls, who visit the owner of the land (or manager of the farm) to pass the wreaths on to him. There follows dancing and a feast which traditionally features sauerkraut and a cake called Kolache, which consists of balls of dough with a cheese filling. In other areas, the last sheaf may be left standing in the field, and tied up with a ribbon or cord to form a 'boroda' ('beard') – it is hoped that this will provide food for the field mice, and keep them out of the barn. One more day to go! Reply #222. Feb 21 11, 2:45 AM |
Godwit 
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This is really great work. I did use it as you suggested to create a list of the tour and mark off the countries I've been to. Thanks! Reply #223. Feb 21 11, 2:08 PM |
| looney_tunes
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If we can visit Switzerland again in early July, it will be time to take in the Montreux Jazz Festival, one of Europe's best-known and most prestigious music festivals. The first festival was held at Montreux Casino in 1967, and ran for three days of (almost exclusively) jazz. The casino burned down in 1971 during a performance by Frank Zappa, and the festival had to move to other auditoriums during rebuilding. The casino was once again the venue from 1975 until 1993, when it expanded to use the Convention Centre as well. The Convention Centre is now the primary venue. During the 1980s, the festival grew rapidly, both because of its growing reputation and because the styles of music featured were expanded to include rock and pop. As well as the ticketed performances, there are many free events, including workshops, exhibitions and free concerts in the park. Also featured in the free events are a number of international competitions (for piano solo, guitar and voice) for each of which an internationally-renowned musician chairs the jury. There is also a local competition for jazz bands based in one of the regions of Lake Leman – the French departments of Ain and Haute Savoie, and the Swiss cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Valais. Music, music everywhere! Well, that wraps up our traveling party. We have visited all 195 countries which the Bus Ride visits, and caroused our little heads off! If the circuits continue to visit countries in the same order, future passengers can join in by following this thread. Happy celebrations to all, and to all a good night. Reply #224. Feb 22 11, 2:20 AM |
Godwit
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That Czech Republic Quiz was really great, I thought. For giving shelter and food to animals on the far boundaries, so they will stay out of our stuff, that works with lots of animals. Deer get their own berry bushes, for instance. Reply #225. Feb 25 11, 3:51 PM |
225 replies. On page 12 of 12 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
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