There is really something beautiful about the power of festivals to look like people and celebrate our existence. If you feel that, then here are the international festivals that you absolutely must do in your life.
Festival of sleepless nights in St. Petersburg, Russia
The All-Nighters Festival is an artistic event that takes place every year in St. Petersburg on Polar Day, when the sun is still visible at midnight. During the event, you can watch the "scarlet sails" sailing on the Neva River, accompanied by fireworks and entertainment, in front of millions of spectators. The tradition of this evening dates back to the end of the Second World War, when various schools in St. Petersburg decided to organize a big celebration to celebrate the end of the school year.
Day of the Dead in Mexico
The Day of the Dead or "Día de Muertos" is a Mexican holiday where people gather to pray and remember friends and family members who have passed away. The festival itself dates back several thousand years as it was celebrated by the Aztec people. The celebration, which generally runs from October 31 to November 2, includes elaborate costumes and an assortment of traditional dishes.
Elephant Festival in Jaipur, India
Elephants have an important role in Indian culture and in March they are celebrated during their own festival. It all begins with a procession of elephants dressed in beautiful costumes and covered in extravagant jewellery. Events include elephant polo, running, and tug-of-war. It is certainly one of the most beautiful festivals for animal lovers.
Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan
Every February, for seven days, hundreds of monolithic sculptures are visited by millions of people. The snow festival began in 1950, when six high school students built six snow statues in Odori Park after several holidays were suspended during and after the Second World War. In 1955 the diversity of participants increased with the addition of the sculptures of the self-defense forces. Since then, the festival has grown at an incredible rate and is taking place in incredible proportions.
Inti Raymi, the sun festival in Peru
During the time of the Inca Empire, the Sun Festival was one of the most important moments of the year. The ceremony pays tribute to Inti, the god of the sun. Since 1944, Peru has organized a theatrical performance of the procession every June in honour of the former Incas, attracting thousands of participants.
The Garma festival in Australia
The Garma Festival is a celebration held by the Yolngu people, the aborigines of Australia. The festival aims to encourage the practice, preservation and maintenance of traditional dance, songs, art and ceremony. It also aims to share the knowledge and culture of the Yolngu with those who are lucky enough to be invited. This festival takes place in the heart of Arnhem Land at the beginning of September.
Lantern Festival in Asia
The Feast of the Lanterns has been celebrated since ancient times on the fifteenth day of the first month of the luni-solar calendar. People of Chinese and Vietnamese origin go to the temples with thousands of lanterns decorated with complex but beautiful designs. At the end of the night, the lanterns fly away in a superb show that symbolizes the release of your own past.
Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada
Burning Man is an annual event that celebrates culture and art in the last week of August. Artists build dozens of huge installations, while musicians entertain the crowds of more than 50,000 people. The whole thing ends by burning a tall wooden man, who has already measured more than 30 meters high.
The Albuquerque International Hot Air Balloon Festival in the United States
The world's largest balloon festival sees more than 750 balloons gather for nine days of festivities. The Fiesta began in 1972, during a gathering of 13 balloons for a birthday celebration of Radio 770 KKOB. At the end of the event, you will have a stiff neck.
La Tomatina, in Buñol, Spain
Legend has it that this tomato battle began in 1945, when the inhabitants threw vegetables at rabbits to prevent them from eating the fruits of a stall. Some people were affected and a "war" began. Today, on the last Wednesday in August, 20,000 partygoers throw more than 150,000 tomatoes at each other in a single day, just for fun.
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