Songkran Water Festival This festival is the most important festival of Thailand and is also known as Thai New Year’s Festival. The term “Songkran” is derived from the Sanskrit word “samkranti” which has a literal meaning of ‘astrological passage’ meaning change. It also pinpoints the start of a new solar year and the summer season. It occurs on the 13th of April every year but the celebrations are carried on till the 15th of the same month. The date of the festival is in accordance with the Hindu calendar and leads to three days of fun and frolic filled water fights and partying. Traditions The Songkran festival is rich in customs and traditions. The day starts with merit making which includes visiting temples and offering food and alms to the Buddhist monks. One of the customary acts of this day is to pour water on statues of Buddha which symbolize purification and cleansing away of one’s sins and bad luck. As this festival represents unity, people come home to their family and dear ones during this time. The younger members of the family often pour water in the hands of the older members as an act of respect. One of the features of this festival includes paying homage to the ancestors. This holiday is most popular because of its water festivals that are majorly enjoyed by the younger population. Crucial and happening streets are closed for movement of vehicles and take the form of water fight venues. The largest Songkran party is seen to take place on the Silom Road and Khao San Road in the city of Bangkok. All the participants of the water fight splash water on each other which is a form of wishing the other person a happy new year filled with good luck and happiness. In some places, parades are held where the people taking part dress up in traditional Thai costumes. At the end of the event, a woman is crowned as “Miss Songkran”. How Songkran Is Celebrated In Thailand Central– As the festival approaches, the people of this region clean their houses and surroundings. Everyone dresses up in vibrant and colorful clothes for the occasion. The people wake up at dawn and offer food to the monks after which they make offerings to their ancestors too. They make merit offerings like donating sand for the construction or repair of temples. Other acts of merit include setting free of birds and fish. North– In this region of Thailand, Songkran is marked with fireworks and gunfire to ward off bad luck. On the following day, i.e. on 14th of April, food and other handy things are offered to the monks of the local temples. People visit the temples and perform the ritual of pouring water over the statue of Buddha. South– Thailand southerners have three basic rules for this day that they strictly follow. They are to work as less as possible and restrain from spending money, avoid hurting any person or animal and speak only truth. East– Here, merit making is prevalent for all the three days and along with giving food to the monks, people also prepare food for the elder members of the family as a token of respect. Songkran Elsewhere This festival is celebrated under the name of ‘Sangken’ in places like Bizu, Shangrai, Boisuk and north-eastern India by the indigenous people and members of the Buddhist community. This day is also celebrated by the people of the Khampti tribe. Sangken is generally observed in the month of ‘Naun Ha’ which is the fifth month of the year according to the traditional Khampti Lunar calendar. This month coincides with the month of April of the Gregorian calendar. This festival is celebrated on the final days of the old year and the new Lunar year starts right after the festival ends. Rules Of The Water Fights Make sure you fight using clean water be it tap water or the ones kept in large jugs. See to it that the water is not hot. It can be at room temperature or ice cold water if it’s a very hot day. The water weapons used on this day are water pistols, buckets, mugs and garden hoses. Avoid splashing water directly at the eyes as it can cause irritation. Dress appropriately and avoid wearing white clothes. Wearing a swimsuit under the clothes is a smart move. Avoid thick fabrics like denims. Wear clothes that are suitable for the beach like shorts, flip flops and t-shirts. Bring a water proof pouch or Ziploc to keep your electronic gadgets and other valuable items away from the water. You can carry a water proof camera if you want to capture all the crazy and playful moments of the water fight.
Paro Tshechu Paro Tshechu is one of the most famous festivals in Bhutan. The term ‘Tshechu’ literally means the 10th day. Paro is a historical town located in the Paro district of Bhutan. “Tshechu’ are religious Bhutanese festivals that are celebrated annually in each district of Bhutan on or around the 10th day of each month according to the Tibetan Lunar Calendar. Each district has a specific month for the festival. These annual festivals have actually been carried on since the 17th century right from the Drukpa lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Paro Tshechu is one of the biggest ‘Tshechu’ festivals in terms of magnitude of participation and audience and occurs on the second month of the Bhutanese Lunar calendar. It involves large social gatherings which facilitate social bonding between the people of different villages and is one of the best ways for tourists to experience Tibetan culture and traditions. The venue of the fair has a lot of sellers thus leading to brisk commerce taking place. This festival is usually held in a ‘dzong’ or fortress or in a local monastery in honor of Guru Rimpoche who had brought Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century. It is believed by the people of Bhutan that by attending this festival, one can seek merit and forgiveness for his sins. Paro Tshechu is a five day festival and attracts tourists from all over the world. The 2019 dates for this festival is 17th to 21th March. Traditions And Celebrations The main attention grabber of the festival is the ‘Cham’ dances. These dances are performed in masks and colorful costumes by the monks and laymen comprising of the Clowns or ‘Atsaras’ who entertain the audience with their funny acts. It is said that it’s very crucial to know the name and the historical significance of the dances. These dances typical spread moral messages through the storytelling or are based on the life history of the 9th century teacher Padmasambhava and more saints. People dress up in their finest clothes and jewelry on this day. A highlighting feature of the Paro Tshechu is the unfurling of a giant silk applique ‘thangka’ which is called the “Guru Throngdel” and is considered to be one of the most sacred things in the whole of Bhutan. It is unfurled only for a few hours before dawn and rolled down before morning on the final day of the festival. The term ‘Throngdel’ means ‘liberation by the mere sight of it’ in Bhutanese and it’s so large it covers the face of a building or ‘dzong’ completely. It’s actually a holy scroll that depicts a pictorial scene of Padmasambhava seated amidst other holy saints. This religious scroll is believed to be so sacred that the mere sight of it is said to clean the viewer of all his sins.
Up Helly Aa Fire Festival It represents the various kinds of fire festivals that take place in Shetland in Scotland. It was introduced in the 1880’s and has been celebrated ever since. It is observed on the last Tuesday of January each year. This festival takes place every to mark the end of the Yule season in the middle of winter. In Lerwick, thousands of mummers or guizers take part in processions wearing various costumes and marching through the town. This festival celebrates the history of Shetland and it is recognized as the biggest festival of fire in the European subcontinent. This festival has only been cancelled three times. The death of Queen Victoria in the year 1901 and during World War I and World War II led to the cancellation of this event thrice. Meaning From the Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language, the word ‘Up’ here signifies that something is about to end and ‘Helly’ means a festival or holy day. The National dictionary of Scotland defines the word helly as a stretch of festive days during which the Christmas celebrations are also held. Finally the word ‘Aa’ represents the word ‘all’. Origin Tar barreling was a traditional event that used to take place during the celebration of Yule and Up Helly Aa. Barrels of burning tar would be dragged throughout the town by young men on sledges and performing various kinds of mischief. However around the time 1874-1880, this custom or practice was abolished. This was then replaced by processions with torches which first took place in 1876 during Yule. However the first torch procession on the Up Helly Aa day took place in the year of 1881. The very first galley or a Viking ship was built and burned in 1889 as part of this festivity. Moreover the prestigious title of ‘Jarl’ was introduced in the event in the beginning of twentieth century. The Event The main mummer or the guizer is given the title of Earl which is known as ‘Jarl’ in those regions. That person is the main character in the celebration of this event which takes place on the last Tuesday of the month of January. A person has to be a member of a particular committee for a span of fifteen years to be elected as the Guizer Jarl. It is a tradition for each Jarl takes the name of a character from the Norse legend. Every year only a single person is elected to this committee. Jarl Squad consists of the supporters of Guizer Jarl. It is also a custom to build a replica of a Viking galley, which is a kind of a ship, especially for this event. After the sunset this galley is dragged all over the town and it is accompanied by a torch lit procession. This consists of members from all squads and it is led by Jarl Squad. Each of the squad chooses its own theme and dress accordingly. Finally when resting spot is arrived after marching through the entire town, the torch bearers gather around the replica of the galley and sing the Up Helly Aa song. The main part of the torch procession comes when people throw the torches into a replica of galley after singing the song and sets it into fire. After the fire dies down and the galley turns into ashes, it is a custom for all the guizers to hum the tune of the traditional “The Norseman’s Home” song. This is celebrated all over Shetland and currently it is observed in ten places which are Lerwick, Scalloway, Uyeasound, Bressay, Nesting and Girlsta, Northmavine, Norwick, Delting, the South Mainland and Cullivoe. After the procession gets over, the local people gather in public halls to attend parties. Every hall has a presiding Hostess who takes the charge, sends out invitations and makes the arrangements. Each of the Guizer Squad visits each hall one by one to drink, dance and celebrate with the other guests. At each venue, groups of people perform various acts, skits, dance performances and many other events. This takes place throughout the night and continues in the morning that follows. The festivities don’t come to an end here. The night that follows is called the “Hop Night” where people continue to drink, feast and are seen to be in a festive mood.
Setsebun sai The term “Setsebun sai” literally means “seasonal division” but it actually relates to the Spring Setsebun known as Risshun and takes place on the day prior to the onset of spring in Japan according to the East Asian solar calendar. Also going by the name Bean-throwing festival, it is celebrated every year on the 3rd of February. On this day, the Japanese traditionally believe that our world is closest to the spirit world. Due to this, it’s thought that strange unexplained things can happen on this day like the appearance of demons and other evil spirits. Associated with the Lunar New Year, this festival can also be thought of as a kind of New Year’s Eve and thus involves a special custom of cleaning away the dirt and evil of the bygone year and warding off evil spirits of the incoming year called ‘mamemaki’. This special ritual was introduced in Japan in the eighth century. Traditions Mamemaki This custom was first introduced in the Muromachi period in the eighth century. It is generally performed by the ‘toshiotoko’ or the male whose birth is on the corresponding year of the Chinese zodiac animal or usually the male head of the household. Roasted soybeans also known as future beans are thrown out of the door or at the family member wearing an ‘Oni’ mask, Oni referring to a demon or ogre. The soybeans used for Setsebun are sweet, hard and crunchy and children throw them at the masked family member while other people say “Demons out! Luck in!” and slam the door. This ritual is performed commonly in the households as well as many people perform it at a shrine or at the temple’s spring festival. The soybeans symbolize purifying the house by shooing away the evil spirits that lead misfortune and bad health with them. As an extension of the ritual, people eat roasted soybeans equal to their age plus an extra one for bringing in prosperity and good luck in the coming year. Makizushi In Osaka, it’s a custom to eat uncut maki sushi on Setsebun. This is known as ‘makizushi’ or ‘eho-maki’ which is a sort of thick and large roll. The people, who are engaged in eating the sushi or the participants, complete the entire roll in pin drop silence in a single sitting. It is customary to face a certain “eho” or lucky direction as you eat. This direction varies every year based on a five year cycle and determined by the year’s zodiac symbol. Eho for the year 2019 is north-north-west. Others Setsebun is celebrated all over the Buddhist temples and Shinto Shrines of Japan. Priests and invited guests such as local celebrities or eminent personalities take part in a ritual during which they throw roasted soybeans often wrapped in gold or silver foil, envelopes with money, candies, sweets and other prizes into the crowd. The festivities that take place in bigger shrines and temples are telecasted nationally. Like other winter festivals of Japan, Setsebun too involves a big bon fire. One of the most popular and well known events held during this festival every year is the program hosted at the Senso-ji temple, located in the Asakusa neighborhood of Tokyo. There is a footfall of nearly a 100,000 people each year and the crowd turns quite wild, pushing and shoving each other to get their hands on the gifts that are thrown on them. During this festival, families also hang decorations and talismans made from sardine heads and holly leaves on their house entrances to prevent evil spirits from entering. Ginger sake (Japanese rice wine) is also drunk as a ritual in these times. Historical Practices Customs like religious dances, festivals and keeping tools inside the house which are generally kept outside at any other time of the year used to be followed earlier. The tools were believed to be capable of keeping the people safe and preventing the spirits from hurting them. As during this festival, the spirit world is considered to be very close to our world, people also used to practice the act of role reversal. This involved young girls sporting the hairstyles and clothes of older women and vice versa. It also included the use of disguises and cross-dressing between the genders. This ritual is still carried out by the Geisha (traditional Japanese female entertainers) when they entertain during Setsebun. Travelling entertainers, who were otherwise looked down upon during the rest of the year, were welcomed heartily during Setsebun to act in morality plays. The reason that they were considered vagrants worked in their favor as people believed that they could take away the bad spirits with them. Regional Variations In the Tohoku area of Japan, the male head of the household, generally the father takes the roasted soybeans in his hand, deliver prayers at the family shrine and then throw those sanctified beans out of the door. In many houses, peanuts (raw or having a sweet, crunchy covering) are usually used in place of soybeans, as the peanuts can be eaten even after the ritual by un-shelling them. In the city of Aizuwakamatsu, the chant is modified to “smash the demon’s eyeballs!” The practice of Makizushi is native to the Osaka and Kansai area of Japan.
Carnival Carnival is a season of festivity in the Western culture. It takes place just prior to Lent which is a religious occasion in liturgical calendar. They generally take place in the month of February or in the beginning of March. Historically this period is called Shrovetide or Pre-lent. Carnivals are public gatherings which include parades, masquerades and street fairs. It’s generally a colorful and exotic affair. During this time people are in a mood to have fun. They often dress up in various types of costumes and wear masks to leave behind their day to day identity and just celebrate. People are seen to consume excessive meat, alcohol and other foods during the period of carnival. It also includes mocking of government authorities, food fights and other such mock battles. The word Carnival is typically used in the areas having a large number of Catholic people. However in Philippines, after the putting an official end to Manila Carnival in the year of 1931, Carnival is no longer celebrated. This festivity is also called Fastelavn in Lutheran countries. Areas having higher concentration of Methodist and Anglicans, pre-Lenten celebrations are observed on the Shrove Tuesday. In Netherlands and some parts of Europe, the season of carnival typically begins on 11/11 and even at 11:11 a.m. sometimes. The world’s largest carnival is considered to be the one held in Rio de Janeiro. Almost two million participants take part in this event every year. It made a world record of having 400,000 visitors in the year 2004. Etymology of Carnival The word Carnival is also called Carnaval in Latin and used in places where French, Spanish, German, Portuguese and Dutch are spoken. In Italian speaking regions it is also called Carnevale. The word has originated from Italian words “Carne” which means meat or “Carrus” which means car. Some people however believe that the word comes from the Latin phrase carne vale which means farewell to flesh or meat. While others argue that it has originated from the Italian expression carne levare which means removing meat. Some also say that Carnival has come from the festival name Navigium Isidis which is a Roman name. The reason behind such belief is many traditions of this festival are observed in today’s Carnivals. History Traditionally in carnivals reversal of social roles are observed and rules and regulations are suspended. Moreover the ways in which a person is expected to behave is also suspended and the norms he is expected to abide by are dissolved. Carnival thus follows reversal ritual. Just like warm summer drives away the hardships of winter, Carnival is also believed to be the transition from a period of darkness to sunshine. Carnival celebrates the summer over winter and it celebrates fertility. The carnival feast was traditionally the very last chance to eat before the end of winter during which the problem of food shortage would creep in. During this time all the remaining meat, butter, lard and other foods stored for winter would be consumed as they would soon decay and become inedible. All the stored foods would be eaten to ensure that all people are well fed so that they can survive till spring when food stock would be renewed again. For various tribes in Europe, carnival is the celebration of the return of the warm sunshine after a period of dark winter. During the celebration people would carry around the figure of the goddess of fertility, Nerthus, in a procession on a ship having wheels. The procession typically had men dressed as women and disguised as animals. It is believed that the carnival has originated from the period before Lent when the whole community would consume alcohol and meat in large quantities and it would turn into a gala feast. Just like the Christian festivals are sanctioned by the church, the carnival was introduced and made popular by the folk culture. Carnivals across the world Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: This carnival takes place in the month of February approximately forty days before Easter. A crowd of around two million people come out on the street each day of the carnival to watch performances put forward by three hundred street bands and two hundred samba schools. It is a four day ceremony that takes place from Saturday to Tuesday. Carnival in Notting Hill, London, United Kingdom: Takes place on the last Sunday and Monday in the month of August. Around 50,000 performers perform and a crowd of one million people turn up to watch it. Static music systems are installed along the route of parade and the food stalls sells delicious Caribbean foods. Mardi gras, New Orleans, United States of America: It takes place on the day prior to Ash Wednesday. A huge crowd gathers to The Big Easy every year. The carnival starts on the 6th of January and takes up full speed on the midnight on the day just before Ash Wednesday. Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnaval, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife: It takes place on the week before the Ash Wednesday. Hundreds of bands and music groups perform during this. Main parade takes place on Tuesday that comes before the Ash Wednesday. The day prior to this is dedicated to feasting. Dance performances are also a part of this festivity. Carnevale di Venezia, Venice, Italy: It takes place two weeks before the arrival of Ash Wednesday. Thousands and thousands of people turn up for this twenty day event. The main attraction is the masquerade where people wear masks with exotic costumes.
Holocaust Memorial Also going by the name ‘Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe’, this is a memorial located in Berlin dedicated to the Jewish victims of the catastrophe known as the Holocaust which took place from 1941-1945. During the Holocaust, Adolf Hitler and his collaborators put about six million Jews to death. This memorial is designed by engineer Buro Happold and architect Peter Eisenmen. The site of the memorial covers an area of nearly 5 acres and comprises of 2711 concrete slabs or “stelae” arranged in slightly askew rows going north to south. The stelae have a length of 2.38 meters and a width of 0.95 meters. The height varies from 0.2 meters to around 5 meters. The grey color of the stelaes imparts vibes of soberness more than somberness. It also has an underground “place of information” which records the names of around three million Jewish victims of the Holocaust massacre. This memorial had started being constructed on April 1st, 2003 and was completed on the 15th of December, 2004, undertaking a cost of 25 million euros approximately. It is situated at a distance of a single block south of the Brandenburg Gate and was inaugurated on 10th May, 2005, sixty years after the Second World War ended. HISTORY A group of few private German citizens headed by Lea Rosh, a television journalist and Eberhard Jackel, a historian first began pressurizing Germany back in the late 1980’s to do something to honor the six million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust. Both of them were not Jews but Rosh became the force which made the construction of the memorial possible. She managed to find a group in 1989 that were ready to support the process and collect the donations and eventually a resolution was passed in favor of the project. CONSTRUCTION, COMPLETION AND OPENING The symbolic beginning of construction of the memorial was celebrated on 27th of January, 2000 and the first stelae were put up in May, 2001. The stelae were of varying heights to resemble a grid-like structure. The spring of 2003 brought with it the start of the construction work and along with it a well-designed and underground information centre was put up which surrounded the construction site. A public ceremony was held on the 15th of December, 2004 to put the final stelae of the 2711 count in place. The official inauguration of the memorial took place on 10th of May and it was opened to the public two days later on the 12th of May, 2005. By the end of that year, nearly 350,000 people had already visited the site. CONSTRUCTION DEFECTS The possible causes of concern at the time of the construction were weathering, graffiti and fading. By 2007, there came an urgent need of repairing the memorial as already hairline cracks were found in 400 of its slabs. In 2012, the German authorities began supplementing hundreds of concrete blocks with steel collars after a research concluded that they were at an immediate risk of breaking and crumbling. THE INFORMATION CENTRE Also designed by Eisenmen, this is an example of a unique piece of architecture spreading over 800 square meters. It is situated on the south-eastern end of the memorial grounds and can be reached via two flights of stairs or a lift. The Centre is supplemented with documentation and information pieces on the victims and their families. They also provide biographical details, recordings and information on memorial sites present all over Germany and Europe. This place starts with a timeline that shows the history of the Final Solution (1933-1941). The remaining portion is divided into four rooms committed to the victims of the catastrophe. The Room of Families concentrates and talks about the fates of fifteen unfortunate Jewish families. The names of all the known Jewish victims of the Holocaust massacre are read out loud in the Room of Names. INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE (MEMORIAL) DAY It is an international memorial day which is observed on 27th of January every year and commemorates the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. It mourns the genocide that had been caused by the Nazi Regime and its collaborators. Resolution 60/7 of the United Nations General Assembly designated the date of 27th January to be this day and urges every member nation to pay tribute and respect to the Holocaust victims. In 2005, 149 votes out of 191 were given by the United Nations in favor of the Holocaust commemoration. The UN also supports educational programs enlightening people about the Holocaust history to prevent such acts of genocide in the future. It also actively participates in the preservation of Holocaust places that were used as Nazi death camps, forced labor camps, concentration camps and prisons. This date also marks the release of Auschwitz-Birkenau which was the largest Nazi death camp by the Soviet Union in 1945. The aims and policies of the Holocaust Memorial Day are given in the statement of commitment. This day was first observed on 27th January, 2001 and has been held every year on that date since then. The theme for the event changes each year and the one for Holocaust Memorial Day 2017 is ‘How can life go on?’
Mardi Gras Mardi Gras, also called Shrove Tuesday, celebrates the ‘Carnival’ events which begins on or after the Christian feasts held on the Epiphany or Three Kings Day and ends on the day prior to Ash Wednesday. The English translation of the French term ‘Mardi Gras’ is “Fat Tuesday” and is so named because of the practice of eating rich fatty food for the last night before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season starts. This is an annual festival that is observed forty seven days prior to Easter and the date varies every year. The 2019 date for this festival is 5th of March. TRADITIONS There are a lot of customs and traditions related to this festival. The most popular ones are wearing costumes and masks, dancing, hosting sport competitions, social conventions and parades. The time span of this festival differs from place to place according to the native traditions. In New Orleans, Louisiana, Mardi Gras continues right till Ash Wednesday starting from the Twelfth Night. Similarly, in Mobile, Alabama, this festival is associated with events which take place in November ensued by mystic society balls on Thanksgiving, parades and balls on New Year’s Eve right up to the hour of midnight before Ash Wednesday. Various other cities which are well known for their Mardi Gras celebrations are George Town in Cayman Islands, Tobago, Rio de Janeiro, Quebec City in Canada, Barranquilla in Columbia and Sinaloa in Mexico. BELGIUM For the Belgium city of Binche , this day is one of the most important days of the year. As many as 1000 Gilles dance all through the city right from morning until after dusk as traditional songs of this festival play in the background. AUSTRALIA In Sydney, on this occasion, a parade known as Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras or just Mardi Gras is held. As the name suggests, this parade was started in the 1970’s to encourage and bring out universal and public acceptance of homosexuality and also for showing a reprisal to police brutality and torture. CAYMAN ISLANDS This festival has been now accepted as one of the national festivals of this island. Along with celebrating the customary Fat Tuesday they also follow it up with a Food Festival on Monday and an all-day EDM day on Ash Wednesday. This 3 day event attracts thousands of visitors with increasing count every year along with many well-known international celebrities and performers. Tourists flock to this island during the festival in huge numbers, helping to make it a bigger event with each bygone year. CZECH REPUBLIC Here, celebrating Mardi Gras is a folk tradition and is mainly celebrated in Prague. The name of the festival native to this region is ‘Masopust’ meaning meat-fast i.e. the fast is started from this day. ITALY Mardi Gras is called Martedi Grasso here. The most famous celebrations take place in Venice, Ivrea and Viareggio. The traditional event ‘Battle of Oranges’ has been taking place in Ivrea during this festival since the medieval times. SWEDEN This festival is called Fettisdagen and is associated with eating ‘fastlagsbulle’ more commonly known as Semla which is a traditional sweet roll, being made in Sweden since years. The name Fettisdagen can be broken down to two words- fett (fat) and tisdag (Tuesday). Earlier, this was the only day in a year when people were supposed to eat fastlagsbullar. NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA The population becomes more than double during this time. This happens due to the huge celebrations and festive atmosphere. The state of Louisiana has declared this day to be a legal holiday. Mardi Gras falls on any Tuesday depending upon the date of Easter. One of the first events of this day is the Zulu Parade followed by the Rex Parade both of which end on Canal Street. Smaller parades with ‘truck floats’ trail the Rex Parade. Marching clubs like the Lyons club, the Jefferson City Buzzards, the Irish Channel Corner Club and KOE start right from dawn and make their way from Uptown to the French Quarter having at least one jazz band. At the opposite side of the old city, the Society of Saint Anne marches from the Bywater through French Quarter to join the Rex parade on Canal Street. All the different groups of Mardi Gras Indians comprising of about 38 tribes are divided into uptown and downtown tribes and both parade in their finest clothes on this day. Costumes and masks are frequently worn on this day. The laws that don’t allow concealing one’s identity are suspended for the day. Although, banks are kept close and places with security matters ask the people to remove the masks before entering. Inexpensive glass beads and toys are thrown from the floats to the ongoing parade people. Strictly, at the stroke of midnight at the end of Fat Tuesday, New Orleans police force demonstrates the clearing of Upper Bourbon Street, announcing that Mardi Gras is over and it is the start of Lent. MOBILE, ALABAMA Mardi Gras is not a national holiday for United States but is observed in a number of cities like Mobile, New Orleans, Biloxi and Pensacola. Mobile is believed to have the oldest organized Mardi Gras festival in the US right from 1703. Colorful carnival floats are built for the parades and small gifts called “throws” are tossed down to the parade spectators. These gifts may be anything from candy, cookies, oranges, stuffed animals, doubloons, trinkets and the traditional moon pies. Formal masquerade balls are hosted which are only permitted to adults. There is a strict dress code that involves white tie with tails for the male guests and full-length evening gowns for the women. The mystic society members have exclusive masked costumes. These balls are usually supported by a theme which is implemented with the help of decorations, backdrops, costumes etc. this event provides a lot of entertainment, dancing, music, food and drinks to its guests. According to the statistic records of the Alabama Tourism Department, Mardi Gras in Mobile is the most popular and attended annual event of the state. This event had a footfall of 800,000 people in 2010 which rose to 1 million the next year.
Ganjitsu Ganjitsu is the Japanese New Years where “Gan” means the origin or beginning of something and “Jitsu” means the sun or the day. It is celebrated every year on the 1st of January and the date is fixed according to the Georgian Calendar. Ganjitsu is an annual festival in Japan and it has its own sets of tradition and customs. This day has been celebrated since the year of 1873 and it coincides with the Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese New Years. History Just like the Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese New Year’s, the Japanese New Year’s date also depended on the Chinese lunar calendar just before the Meiji era. However five years after the Meiji Revolution or Reform in 1873, the Georgian calendar was adopted as the official calendar in Japan and the first day of January was marked as the Japanese New Year. Celebration This day is celebrated with a lot of vigor and in a grand way across entire Japan. As it is also a day of spirituality, it is tradition to make first visit to a Buddhist temple or to Shinto shrine. It is also a ritual to burn previous year’s amulets and get new ones to ensure that the upcoming year will be free from all kinds of trouble and obstacles. Preparations for this day are made weeks before its arrival. People make plans beforehand and the whole of Japan is seen to be in a festive mood. The celebrations and festivities last for two to three days. Most of the offices, institutions remain closed on these days. People spend the day with friends and family by feasting and playing games. The climax of these festivities is attained when the Emperor appears to greet people from his palace in Tokyo. Moreover Ninth Symphony of Beethoven’s is performed throughout the whole of Japan on this day. This was introduced by the German prisoners imprisoned in Japan during the World War I. Traditional food During the New Year’s celebration, people have some selected dishes called osechi-ryori. Typically these traditional dishes are sour, sweet or dried so that they can be stored even without refrigerating them as most of the shops and stores remain closed on this day. The recipes of these dishes have been handed down from period when there were no refrigerators in house to store food. On this day, certain foods eaten at one place are not eaten in other places as it is believed to be unlucky and it is even banned. Traditional dishes like various types of osechi, ozoni, sashimi and sushi are eaten on this special occasion. Nowadays people also have non Japanese foods as well. After heavy feasting back to back for several days, a rice soup made with seven herbs is made to give rest to the overloaded stomach. This dish is made on the seventh day of January which is called Jinjitsu. Making and eating rice cakes, called Mochi, on this day is also an important custom. On the New Year’s Eve, it is a common tradition to eat Buckwheat noodles also known as Toshikoshi Soba. Decorations Traditional New Year decoration includes settling of pine and bamboo together in front of all the shops and houses. These are called the Kadomatsu. The bamboo symbolizes sincerity and the pine signifies longevity. Plum branches which signify new beginning or new life are also added to this. Ringing of bells As soon as the clock strikes 12 on the night of 31st December, all the Buddhist temples throughout Japan ring bells for 108 times. It is a custom that is carried out every year and according to Buddhism, the ringing of the bells represents the 108 sins the human beings make in their life. The watched night bell is a major attraction in Tokyo. People in Japan also believe that hearing these bells can help them to get rid of the sins that they have committed in the previous year. These ringing bells also help them to get rid of their worldly desires. It is a ritual to ring the bells 107 times on the night on 31st December and the final one or the 108th one is rung after the clock strikes 12. The tradition of Otoshidama Otoshidama is the custom of giving money to the children on the New Year’s Day in Japan. The money is given in small envelopes which are decorated and are also called Pochibukuro. This tradition has come down from the Edo era when the wealthy families used to hand over mandarin oranges and little bags of mochi to people in order to spread joy and happiness. All the children in a house receive equal amounts of money so that none of them feels bad and generally the amount varies with the age. Sending postcards Just like people all over the world send New Year and Christmas cards, it is a tradition in Japan to send postcards to relatives, friends and family members who live in other places. It is a way of making them understand that they are missed and it is also a token of conveying love and affection. The post offices remain utterly busy before the arrival of the New Year and they even hire students as part time workers to deliver them. These postcards generally have the twelve Chinese zodiacs printed on them and some even have the greetings and other messages written on them.
Cartagena International Music Festival A nine-day long celebration of music of classical taste, the Cartagena International Music festival takes place every year in world class venues of Cartagena like La Popa hill, San Felipe castle, Getsemani auditorium etc. Each year, more than 20,000 classical music enthusiasts come together in the coastal city of Cartagena for its International Music festival held in the month of January. This festival has an original theme every year which reflects both the old as well as the “New World” viewpoint that adds to its glory. Some of the past themes were “The Italian Style” (2013), “Fables” (2014) and “Hacia Tierra Firme” – Towards the Mainland (2016). This festival not only highlights the city’s splendid acoustics but also gives many people to witness tuxedoed performers at their best and also mingle with the topmost members of Columbia’s upper society. This festival brings to the stage some of the best orchestral acts and world famous musicians are met with the task of performing for packed plazas and theatres surrounded by spectacular lights and musical instruments of all kinds. What Makes This Festival So Famous? Hosting more than forty concerts, this festival was founded by the Italian-American harpist Victor Salvi and his wife, Julia who is a socialite from Bogota. This festival is targeted to introduce to the people of Columbia particularly the young people, the magic of classical masterpieces. A spectacular feature of this festival is that the international guest musicians give free master classes to hundreds of young potential Columbian musicians. Workshops are conducted where students, children, music teachers and music professionals are given a proper training starting from instrument knowledge to exhibitions and conferences. Music scholarships for budding musicians to help them start from scratch are also funded. Last year’s (2016) festival included performers like Rinaldo Alessandrini who is the director of Concerto Italiano, the Spanish composer and conductor Jordi Savall and the winner of Grammy awards Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Why Cartagena Is The Perfect Location For This Festival? Crowned with the title of Columbia’s most romantic city, it can be described aptly as a walled city which has a notable history and which gets drowned in the color orange as the sun sets every evening on the Caribbean. It showcases such a perfect setting that it’s impossible to imagine the Cartagena International Music Festival being held anywhere else but here. This city hosts a wide range of places to stay starting from extravagant five star hotels to humbler hostelries. This Caribbean city is also home to splendid bars and restaurants. Places worth a visit in this museum filled city are the Palace of Inquisition, the Gold Museum, the Maritime Museum, San Felipe Castle, the Museum of Modern Art and San Pedro Claver’s Church. Taking an evening stroll on the city wall, remembering the pirates who besieged this place centuries ago and imagining them to be still around is sure an effective way to experience a chill through your spine. This festival borrows best of Cartagena’s picturesque private as well as public venues to produce a cultured and glittering start to a year. Cartagena International Music Festival – 2017 This festival was started in 2007 taking inspiration from the Spoleto Festival of the United States and has been happening every year in the month of January ever since. The whole program and schedule of events will be declared on the 1st of December 2016. The dates of the festival however have been announced. The nine-day long music festival is going to take place from the 8th of January 2017 to the 16th of January 2017. Every year, this festival is associated with a theme and the year 2017 is not going to be an exception. The theme is yet to be announced though. In case you missed out on the bookings of the tickets or you don’t have enough money to do so, well then no need to worry as free concerts are going to take place on the 9th, 10th, 13th and 14th of January 2017. Just make sure to claim your free tickets for the concerts on the day of the event itself from the Cine Columbia ticket booths in Caribe Plaza or Centro de Convenciones 8AM henceforth. How To Get To Cartagena? Cartagena is a globally acclaimed destination and reaching there is no big issue. There are many routes to this Caribbean city. Taking a direct flight from Bogota, Medellin, Cali and San Andres or from Miami, Panama, Fort Lauderdale and New York City is one option. Buses apply to this route too as they run regularly from Barranquilla and Santa Marta. For all the adventurous souls out there, a sailboat from Panama City can take you to Cartagena though that includes a three-day stop at the San Blas islands.
Australia Day Australia Day is Australia’s official national day which is observed annually on the 26th of January. It remembers the arrival of “the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales which had taken place in 1778. After the arrival of the ships, the then Governor Arthur Phillip had raised the flag of Great Britain at Sydney Cove.” Historically, this day is called by various names such as “Anniversary Day”, “Foundation Day” and “ANA Day”. On this day all the people of the nation come together to celebrate the essence of being an Australian. They look back on their achievements and failures and feel proud to be a part of Australia. On this day, the people also re-commit to their nation to make it an even better place to live in for the future generations. The significance of this day has changed over time along with the ways of celebration. Historical Significance The 26th of January, 1778 marks the arrival of Captain Arthur Phillip at Port Jackson, New South Wales. This landing is better known as First Fleet and comprised of eleven ships. On this day, the colony of New South Wales had been founded and the Europeans first entered into the Australian land. On the 30th anniversary of this date i.e. in 1818, the Governor of New South Wales granted all the government employees a day off. This day was further made special by a 30-gun salute and a ball. The years following this event, the employees of banks and other organizations also started getting a holiday on this day. In the prior years, only New South Wales used to celebrate this day known as the “First Landing Day” but after 50 years since the fleet arrived, this day was declared to be a public holiday for New South Wales in 1838. By 1935, this day was called Australia Day in all the states with New South Wales being the only exception where it was still known as Anniversary Day. Since 1994, this day was declared a national holiday for the whole of Australia and from 1946 the name became Australia Day for all the states and territories including New South Wales. As this day marks colonization, it is has also been recognized by the Aboriginal and Indigenous Australians to be a day of invasion of their land by the Europeans and hence prefer to call this day by the names “Invasion Day” or “Survival Day”. Symbols Of This Day The symbols usually used on Australia Day are same as those associated with Australia in general like – the Australian National Flag representing the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star and the five stars of the Southern Cross, and as well as the Golden wattle that’s the national floral emblem. Other popular symbols include – the opal which is the national gemstone of Australia and the national colors of green and gold. These symbols are generally seen all around in parades and other events on this day. Public Life This day is an official public holiday observed in all the states and territories of the nation. On this day, all the schools, offices, banks and post offices are closed. Majority of the public transports do not operate on this day and the very few that do, does so in a reduced manner. The stores maybe kept open but exercise restricted opening hours. Congestion on the roads and lanes are common especially in the vicinity of the areas where the Australian Day events are held. In case this holiday falls on a weekend then the holiday automatically gets extended to Monday. Contemporary Celebrations Different places in Australia celebrate this day differently. Australian citizenship ceremonies are held on this day. Citizenship ceremonies are aimed to welcome immigrants who have acquired the citizenship of Australia. The national anthem, Advance Australia Fair is heard commonly on this day along with the unofficial anthem, Waltzing Matilda. Some of the main events held on this day across Australia are community barbeques, festivals, outdoor concerts, carnivals, sports competitions and firework displays. These events are organized by the National Australia Day Council which is the official council of this festival in every state and territory. Along with these, a variety of music festivals are also held on Australia Day such as the Triple J Hottest 100, the Big Day Out and the Australia Day Live Concert. On the eve of this holiday, the Prime Minister presents the Australian of the Year Award to an Australian citizen who has showcased an immense contribution to the Australian nation as a whole. Both the Governor-General and the Prime Minister address the nation on this day and the Order of Australia Awards is also hosted. Another special feature of this holiday is the Australian Day Achievement Medallion which is presented to certain citizens by the local government on the basis of their performance in both government and non-government organizations. Australia Day Celebrations In Some Major Places SYDNEY In Sydney, the harbor is a main venue of this day where boat races such as ferry races and tall ship races are held. In 2013, both the Aboriginal Flag and the Australian Flag were raised on the Sydney Harbor Bridge on the occasion of Australia Day for the first time. ADELAIDE In Adelaide, the notable events are ‘Australia Day in the City’ which includes a parade, a concert and a fireworks display in Elder Park along with the well-known traditional International match of cricket played at the Adelaide Oval. MELBOURNE Events in Melbourne consist of programs like the People’s March and the Voyages Concert which concentrates on the celebration of multiculturalism. The Perth Skyworks hosted in Melbourne is the largest event to take place on Australia Day every year.
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