Post Tagged with "festivals"

From our contributors: 19 July

Another week, another roundup of articles posted by our contributors on their blogs with subjects ranging from prehistoric cave paintings in India to Ocean Day in Japan.

Anu, our contributor from India, visits the prehistoric cave paintings of Anegundi. These fascinating paintings provide a glimpse into the life of our Neolithic ancestors.

“Imagine living like our ancestors, having to struggle for every meal, every piece of covering, even for a roof over the head, not to mention the dangers lurking around every corner! And yet they persevered, though it took centuries for things to change, for them to evolve!”

 
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Bastille Day Celebrations

A little bit of history first.

The first stone of the Bastille Fortress was laid in 1370 in the extension of the already existing city walls. The heavy rectangular building was flanked by eight 24 metre high round towers and surrounded by 25 metre wide moats.

It ceased to be a military fortress in the late 16th century and was converted into a state prison. A simple letter signed by the king was enough to send a man inside its cold walls.

Seven prisoners were still imprisoned in the Bastille on 14th July, 1789 when it was seized by the revolutionaries who saw in it the symbol of royal power and absolutism. (more…)

Summer Solstice Celebrations in France

Today, Friday 24 June, is in France the day we celebrate St. John the Baptist and it is also an opportunity to celebrate the Feux de la Saint-Jean.

This tradition, which dates back to ancient times, most likely originated in Asia Minor and was introduced to Eastern Europe by the Celtic tribes 3000 years ago. Feux de la Saint-Jean was originally the celebration of the Summer Solstice on June 21st. The ancients use to light bonfires on the previous evening in honour of the Sun, a way to pray for its protection for the harvest to come.

Image credit

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Burning Art in Valencia

Las Fallas is a festival in Valencia, Spain, that I strongly recommend to anyone who enjoys art, fire and noise. This famous fiesta is one of the most famous festivals in Spain and attracts people from all over the world who want to witness the burning of these ephemeral sculptures.

Ninot (photo by R. Rodrigo)

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Galungan celebrations with a Balinese family

“Three more day until biggest Balinese holiday” he says, mouth wide, grinning ear to ear. Scooters buzz by us in the dozens, each laden with food, flowers, forty foot long bamboo rods, or sometimes, entire families of five. As I glance to my left I see a man in his teens driving a scooter, precariously balancing a long perfectly formed bamboo rod on his shoulder, which has been cut and curved “just so” for the traditional penjor that the family compound will proudly display.

“Two more days!” she remarks, giddily. “Today, I wake up at 4:30 to begin the lawar. This morning…” she says, then pauses, raises her right hand to her neck and slides her finger across it “This morning, we cut pig”.

Penjor

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Picture Postcards: Polish celebrations

Poland?

Surprise, it’s actually Toronto, Canada. This week’s picture postcard of the annual autumn celebration of Polish culture in the Roncesvalles Village area of Toronto comes to us from Ana, aka Anina2007 on Flickr.

This concludes the theme of festivals and celebrations so, on to December we go! Our theme of the month will be houses. Join in the fun by submitting photos of houses in your country to our Flickr group. We can’t wait to see what you come up with.

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