CELEBRATE AROUND THE WORLD - TOP 5 FESTIVALS
These are some of the most fascinating international festivals coming up this year, ranging from well-known cultural events to eccentric gatherings you may have never heard of.
1. Holi Festival, India
Photo by Anshu A
Holi has been celebrated in India for centuries, with writings going back to the 4th century CE recording rituals. It symbolises the triumph of virtue over evil by ushering in spring after a long winter. It is observed in the month of March, which corresponds to the Hindu month of Phalguna.
On Holi, people throw coloured powder into the air and splash it on one other, turning entire streets and cities red, green, and yellow. Each pigment has its own significance. For example, red represents love and fertility, while green represents new beginnings. In celebration, people also spray water on one other. Water pistols are used to squirt water, and coloured water balloons are also thrown from roofs. Families get together later in the day for special dinners. Sweets are also frequently distributed among neighbours and acquaintances.
Holi has grown in popularity outside of India, thanks to the millions of Indians and other South Asians who live all over the world. Communities of South Asian descent living abroad regularly join together to celebrate Holi, much as they do for Diwali, another Indian holiday.
2. Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, USA
Photo by Raychel Sanner
In 1972, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta began with only 13 balloons. This was put up for 20,000 onlookers at the Coronado Shopping Mall in a roadrunner vs. coyote-style pursuit, with one balloon leading the way as the roadrunner and the rest as the coyotes.
Every autumn, 100,000 people go to the massive 78-acre Balloon Fiesta Park to take advantage of the ideal pocket of balloon-riding weather known as the "Albuquerque Box." From the ground, seeing the sky filled with balloons is an awe-inspiring, borderline mystical sight.
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta takes place every year near the southern end of the legendary Sangre de Cristo Mountains, just east of Navajo country and an hour from Santa Fe. This festival is a spectacle of amazement for all ages, from the early morning Dawn Patrol through the evening's "Glowdeo" procession, balloon races, and much more. The celebration is split over two weekends in October, with balloon enthusiasts camped out in Albuquerque for the duration.
3. dia de los muertos, Mexico
Photo by Fili Santillan
The celebration begins at midnight on November 1st with Dia de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels), when the spirits of all departed children are believed to be reunited with their families for 24 hours.
Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a two-day celebration that brings the living and the dead together. Families make ofrendas (offerings) to remember and commemorate their dead relatives. These altars are embellished with brilliant yellow marigold flowers, images of the deceased, and the honoree's favourite meals and beverages. The gifts are said to promote visits from the afterlife, since the departed spirits may hear their prayers, smell their meals, and participate in the festivities!
The Day of the Dead is a unique celebration that honours both death and life. It is unlike any other holiday in which sadness is replaced with joy.
4. Carnival, Brazil
Photo by Riotur
It is Brazil's most important festival, and it is known as "The Greatest Show on Earth." The Rio Carnival runs from Friday to Tuesday, a day before Ash Wednesday, a prominent Catholic custom that marks the beginning of Lent.
The Carnival is still a business venture. When you consider that at least a million international tourists are expected to attend the event, as well as the economic impact, such as the amount of indirect employment produced, it's a multibillion-dollar enterprise.
The massive floats and their incredible decorations will astound you, but the Rio de Janeiro carnival is also known for its carnival balls. Every night of the celebration, a different themed ball is hosted, and for those who prefer to stay at home, every street in Rio de Janeiro has its own party.
5. Mardi Gras
Shrove Tuesday, the last day of the pre-Lenten season, is celebrated in France as Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is derived from the practise of utilising all of the fats in the house before Lent to prepare for fasting and abstinence.
The festival is celebrated in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the United States. Each year, thousands of people go to the streets for a festival that includes floats, masked balls, and general revelry. The origins of the holiday in the United States trace back to before the country's independence. Many of Mardi Gras' historical markers have paralleled American culture and global events as it has changed throughout the years.