For those who are not used to the culture of other nations, other people's holidays seem at least surprising, and at most strange. The traditions of other countries are exotic only for us, and for the local population - familiar and deeply their own.
What is this article about?
Today we’ll talk about the unusual traditions of different countries. There are such interesting holidays in the world that not everyone can understand their meaning. But we still try to do it.
In the article we have collected interesting holidays in different countries of the world and below we will try to briefly talk about each of them. Of course, this information does not claim to be complete. The list below is far from exhaustive. Yes, and it is impossible to bring such a single article. But we will try to list at least the most famous.
Most of them exist in the form of festivities, some as any kind of competition. At the same time, victories are not given much importance, the main thing is fun and originality. The most important thing for participants is to have a good time.
The most interesting holidays of the world - list
In the USA, one of them arose and quickly spread around the world (glory to the Internet!), Called International Pirate Day. Once a year, namely September 19, on the streets of any cities on Earth you can meet characters in bandanas and black armbands, hear gibberish about "piastres" and "thousand devils."
The stiff Englishmen, having destroyed the stereotype, invented the world rye championship. This disgrace is arranged in a city called Egremont (according to unverified data - already from 1297). Its time is also September. Fans from all over the world come together to make terrible faces. The title of absolute champion is with a certain Peter Jackson, who, for the sake of victory, has mutilated himself - he has pulled out his teeth completely.
What other holidays will we consider? Here is a short list:
- Monkey banquet.
- Festival of colors.
- Feast of the Nudes.
- Tapati.
- Aphelio.
- Championship gentlemen.
- The battle of tomatoes.
- Summer Redneck Games and others.
And what is in the East?
In Thailand (Lopburi Province), a banquet is held annually, nicknamed the monkey. Six hundred "guests" feast, overeating with vegetables and fruits in honor of the god Rama. According to legend, the victory over the enemy helped him achieve exactly the monkey.
And in India (New Delhi) a national holiday is held in honor of the arrival of spring, called the festival of colors. It symbolizes the expulsion of evil and the rebirth of life. At the end of winter, on the new moon (according to legend, this is the day of the death of the evil demon Kholiki), bonfires are burned in every city - a symbol of the end of winter and the departure of evil spirits. The effigy of Kholiki is burned in the fire, and fruits and grains are thrown there too.
The next morning (they celebrate for two days) it is customary to have fun, dousing each other with colored water and throwing paints in powders.
And in Japan?
Japan is not far behind. The day, called the holiday of nudes, is celebrated since 767. Men come to the temple (23-43 years old and about 3,000 in number), wearing only loincloths. According to legend, you can get rid of misfortunes and troubles by touching a naked man.
Having taken cleansing in the walls of the temple, the nudes march around the city and allow anyone who wants to touch themselves. There are always a lot of those. But Japan is quite cold in February, so participants have to warm themselves up with sake. The original name of the holiday is Hadaka Matsuri.
In Japan, it is believed that cold is a means of hardening the body and cleansing the soul. Therefore, the culmination of action - fights and dousing with ice water.
... and on Easter Island
They know how to have fun on the Chilean island of Easter. Tapati - the name of the festival of worship of the ancestors. The inhabitants of the island dance in special costumes and compete in the run with banana bundles - both men and women.
Mandatory procedure - the solemn choice of the queen. Indispensable qualities for the applicant for the title - beauty and hard work. It is required to prove to the strict jury that a lot of fish were caught and woven.
Back to Europe
England boasts an olympiad among gentlemen. It is held annually in the open air by representatives of London clubs. The purpose of the event is to remind people of the traditions of English gentlemen.
Interesting facts about the holidays of the world can be found by studying history. In Scotland (the city of Lerwick), a holiday called Aphelio is celebrated. In another way, it is called the Great Fire Festival and is considered one of the most unique.
To conduct it, a Viking ship model 9 meters high is being built. On his nose is a traditional dragon. The task of the Viking squad is to take the ship to the sea. The procession is accompanied by torches and horns and has nearly a thousand participants. In a certain place, a wooden boat is set on fire - this is part of an ancient rite of farewell to fallen soldiers.
The holiday is dedicated to the Vikings, who landed near the Scottish coast in the 9th century and left a mark on history. Celebrate it in January, last Tuesday.
Tossed at you tomatoes
Tomatina (the battle of tomatoes) is called the Spanish festival in honor of the end of summer (late August), held in the small town of Bunyola in the east of the country. Festivities consist of dancing, fireworks, loud music and free refreshments. It ends with a tomato battle.
Trucks with a huge number of tomatoes come to the city square, which are usually thrown at each other. It is forbidden to throw other objects. Tomato rivers flow through the streets, the doors and windows of houses are covered with plastic, the townspeople bathe in a pool filled with tomato juice.
And what about America?
Georgia is proud of its annual Summer Redneck Games . The highlight of the program is a contest for falling into liquid clay. Fans are not confused by irrigation with dirty rain, another sonorous immersion of a participant in a puddle is welcomed with deafening screams.
Once a year, “zombies” appear in the center of Canadian Boston - one day each year is dedicated to their march. “Dead” in rubber masks and “bloodied” costumes roam in search of “victims”. It seems that the sight is not for the faint of heart ...
In our opinion, the Havana (Cuba) cigar festival, which has international status, is much more positive. Manufacturers and exporters from 47 countries come to him. The program consists of concerts, exhibitions, presentations, visits to tobacco plantations. All events are on the topic of Cuban cigars.
New Orleans , the world jazz capital, traditionally hosts the world-famous Jazz Fest, one of the most ambitious jazz festivals, in May-April. Performers perform on indoor and outdoor venues and just on the streets. At the same time, everywhere they sell dishes of the famous New Orleans cuisine - oysters, lobsters, fried eggplant.
What other interesting holidays of the world exist? The list goes on and on. We decided to go on separate topics.
Theme Holidays
Iceland boasts Beer Day (March 1). The duty of the participants on this day is to drink as much as fits. On this day in 1989 the Prohibition Act, which was in effect for the whole 75 years, was canceled. Beer Day is celebrated in bars and restaurants throughout the country, most of the active participants are students. Zucchini and pubs are open until morning, and the number of participants does not decrease, despite impressive prices.
If you want to taste high-quality English whiskey, go to the festival of the same name in Scotland. This drink is the national pride of the Scots, and every spring a whole series of thematic festivals are held in the country.
What's interestnig
Once a year, the most prestigious manufacturers of this drink open the doors of their factories to ordinary visitors, for whom at other times the entrance there is closed. Crowds of people flock to a whiskey tasting.
The program of the festival includes meetings with collectors, exchange of experiences, excursions and sports. Participants can engage in throwing a hammer or logs, as well as perform at a fashion show in kilts - Scottish skirts.
Flowers - where without them?
If we distract from the alcohol theme, then other no less interesting holidays of the world are dedicated to flowers. So, in Holland in September you can see a spectacular spectacle - a solemn procession along the city streets of flower platforms. What is there only! Floral arrangements imitate animals and fairy-tale characters, the procession stretches for a couple of kilometers. This event is known throughout the world as one of the most beautiful and unforgettable flower shows.
Not only in Europe love flowers. In northern Thailand in February, a beautiful and very impressive flower festival is held annually. The holiday lasts for three days.
The city is filled with millions of exotic flowers. Beauties sew national costumes to participate in the competition for the title of flower queen. From morning to evening, events - fairs, exhibitions, holiday processions are in full swing.
One cannot but mention the tulip festival, held annually in early May in Ottawa. The Canadian capital is drowning in a sea of bright tulips, traditionally sent from Holland in gratitude for their help in the fight against the fascist regime. Tulips, thus, serve as an international symbol of friendship and a sign of spring.
Japan is not far behind. A spring event is dedicated to admiring blossoming sakura - an unofficial holiday that is not on the calendar. But, despite this, in the parks, squares and temples of Japan, a huge number of people gather to find a short period of its flowering. Admire sakura taken in the evenings and afternoon. The trees are beautifully illuminated, and walks along the alleys are perceived romantically, despite the crowds.
Lights and lanterns
Since we touched on the topic of lighting, let's recall the most interesting holidays of the world dedicated to light. A lot of impressions leaves the Berlin Festival of Light. Every year in October, the city shines with light installations for a couple of weeks. You seem to find yourself in a fairy tale - the facades of houses and monuments are decorated with a myriad of bulbs and lanterns, everywhere - fireworks, flashes of searchlights and laser shows.
In Spain, there is a celebration of salutes and the most beautiful fireworks, which takes place in March. That's where the pyrotechnics unfold with might and main! You probably won't see such special effects anywhere else.
In Florence (Italy) celebrate the festival of lanterns - every year in September, starting from the 17th century. It is customary to associate it with the birthday of the Virgin Mary, very revered by the Italians.
Historically, fairs and processions are made on this day from paper lanterns with candles inserted in them.
...and other
But, for example, in the mythology of China, one of the central places is reserved for dragons. And in honor of these creatures, an event called the International Kite Festival is organized every April in Weifang City. At the same time, a lively trade is organized in the city and many culinary fairs are organized.
In general, there is always a reason for fun - there would be a desire. If you delve around, you will find interesting world holidays in December, January and any other month of the year.
Eat and drink
You are not hungry yet while reading the article? Probably everyone wants to know about interesting world holidays devoted to food. Well, one of them is the Swiss gourmet festival (the city of St. Moritz). It is spent as many as five days at the famous ski resort. Restaurants of the town are known no less than its ski slopes.
Gourmet cuisine is demonstrated to guests at the famous “Top of the World” 1800 meters above sea level. World-class chefs come to their professional holiday, and miracles simply begin to work in the kitchen - you cannot say otherwise.
In the best hotels of the city - continuous culinary reviews, tastings and gala dinners. Guests are invited to attend delicacies and sample the results here. The peak of the program is lunch for 300 people.
Fast forward to Germany
Who has not heard of the famous Oktoberfest - the largest beer festival in the world ! The place of its deployment is the Bavarian capital - Munich. The festival opens in September for 16 days.
Traditionally, at the opening ceremony, the mayor of the city uncorked a barrel of beer. This is the beginning of the beer marathon. All 16 days people destroy beer and enjoy the show program. What is there only! From costume parades to shooter processions, from concerts to horse races. Next to the pubs, dancers in traditional Bavarian leather pants tap tap dance.
During these days, about 7,000,000 liters of beer are drunk and about 84 bulls and a million and a half sausages and fried chickens are eaten. 363 additional souvenir shops work. The number of tourists coming from all over the world exceeds seven million. The festival is broadcast live, and it is among those that are included in the Guinness Book of Records for its scope.
Then to France
And what are the interesting world holidays in November? After waiting for this month, you can go to France for the feast of young wine. It starts on the initiative of winemakers from the town of Bozho. With torches from the vine they march to the town square, where young wine in barrels is already waiting.
Midnight is the time when the gags are knocked out, and the Beaujolais Nouveau can begin to enjoy. In millions of bottles, young wine travels to shops, cafes and restaurants in all cities and countries. Manufacturers compete who will deliver the goods faster.
Not with bread alone ...
But what about spiritual food? Here are some interesting world holidays dedicated to spectacles.
In the world of cinema, of course, the primacy at the Cannes Film Festival (France). This is a prestigious and widely publicized event. For 10 days, Cannes collects stars and professionals from the world of cinema, as well as fans of the big screen from all countries.
Interesting world holidays in June are replenished with such a cultural event as the holding of the Munich Opera Festival (Germany). This is a unique global cultural phenomenon. It lasts for about a month, starting in June. The main action venue is the National Theater of Bavaria.
The event sells over 80,000 tickets. In front of the theater, an additional large screen is mounted on the square for free display to spectators, who gain another 14,000.
The festival’s repertoire includes the best performances - both new and past seasons, festival premieres of any opera genre. Performers are world-class performers.
Other events
We should also mention the Venice (i.e., held in Italy) international film festival - one of the oldest events of this level. And also about the “Berlinale” - a similar event in Berlin, held in February and attracting the attention of all of Europe. This is a stronghold of auteur and intellectual cinema, the jury includes many writers, directors, actors and famous cultural figures. At least 200,000 people visit it.
From the same category - an event dedicated to the presentation of Cesar - the main annual French film award, having the status of a prestigious award similar to Oscar.
And, of course, the presentation of the Oscars - in the United States. Perhaps this is the most significant award in the world of cinema, and the celebration organized in honor of this event by the American Film Academy at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles is an event of a global scale.
To summarize
As we see, the most interesting holidays of the world are for every taste - from festivities with rude customs to world-class cultural events. What other activities have we not mentioned in our review?
Probably, citing information about the most interesting holidays of the world and their brief description, it is simply criminal to ignore the famous carnivals in Rio de Janeiro and Venice. What can I say? Any carnival is a frantic cocktail of costumes, flowers, music and dancing. The Rio Carnival is actually a parade of samba schools organized by the City Ministry of Tourism.
Each of the schools draws up its own mobile platform, thinks through costumes and performances. The winner is awarded a solid cash prize, and the prestige of the school immediately takes off to heaven.
But what about in Russia?
Speaking about interesting holidays in the countries of the world, we have never mentioned our country.
Perhaps, every graduate of the school heard about the White Nights festival (its other name is Scarlet Sails). The action takes place in St. Petersburg at the end of June.
At night in the summer in St. Petersburg it is light as during the day. The White Nights festival is a romantic time dedicated to graduation. As a climax in the Neva, a ship with red sails appears, and fantastic fireworks bloom in the sky.
As you can see, there are interesting world holidays for every day. Whatever date you take, somewhere in the world people are sure to have fun and celebrate something. And life only benefits from this!