Joanna James
Experiencing colourful festivals from around the world is perfect to understand exotic cultures and traditions. Let yourself be enamoured and charmed with fun celebrations of laughter and good cheer.
Held before lent every year, this world famous carnival takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is the biggest carnival in the world, boasting an average of 2 million spectators to hit the streets each day. The first parade is believed to have taken place in 1823 and today consists of elaborate floats, colourful and exotic parades of dancers paying homage to various samba schools from the area, and happy revellers out to enjoy loads of fun.
One of the world's most famous festivals and China's most important day on the calendar is the Chinese New Year. At no other festival can you experience riotous fireworks, dragon dances, flowers, colours which bring in luck, symbolic clothing and lanterns burning a bright red. This celebration is also called the Spring Festival and takes place on the last day of the last month on the Chinese calendar. It runs right up to the Lantern Festival which takes place on the 15th day of the first month, yes, you guessed it right; Chinese New Year is the longest festival. No matter where in the world you are, if there is a Chinatown, head there for some traditional cuisine, festivals, dragon and lion dances and loads of good cheer.
This is one of the South Koreas most successful advertising campaigns; the festival actually was born out of a need for a cosmetic company to elaborate the benefits of its cosmetics made out of mud from Boryeong. Instead of spending on advertising campaigns, the company invited potential customers to try out the mud first hand; the rest, as they say, is history, and South Korea now has an annual festival. At the Boryeong Mud Fest; you can enjoy mud pools, mud prisons, mudslides and even mud skiing. Best of all, if the mud seems a bit mundane you can always check out the live music shows, try a spot of acupuncture and hang around for the colourful 'end of the show', a fireworks display. If you are interested in similar quirky festivals check out the Events and Festivals Blog.
Celebrated in the Black Rock Desert Nevada, Burning Man is an annual event, which draws around 48,000 spectators to the desert. The core tradition of the festival involves burning a huge wooden effigy of a man; which is set on fire Saturday night. One needs to be a part of this radical festival to truly understand the meaning behind the ritual, which is depicted as self-expression, community experiment and self-reliance.
If you love the concept of magical kingdoms, do try visiting the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin China. On display are exquisite sculptures, skilfully crafted by some very talented individuals. You will be quite amazed at the marvellous creations made from ice, while the lights and laser show, enhances the places magical, ethereal quality. Of all festivals related to seasons, this winter festival is one not to be missed.
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