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St. Patrick's Day, Dublin, Ireland
St. Patrick's Day is a traditional Irish festival, celebrated annually on the Sunday closest to March 17th to commemorate Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The elaborate celebrations of St. Patrick's Day in many parts of the world are initiated by Irish communities to honor their native saint. Legend says that during his lifetime, he often used shamrocks to explain the doctrine of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today, the color green and the image of the shamrock are characteristic symbols of St. Patrick's Day.
The entire population of Ireland took to the streets to celebrate their traditional St. Patrick's Day.
The Night Festival of Witches
According to the beliefs and magic of Cerro Mono Blanco, Catemaco, Mexico, there is a day each year when magic returns to normal life. This is the birthplace of several famous legends, fairy tales, and myths, and the local history is shaped by sorcerers, healers, and even fortune tellers. The 2000-year history of magic in Spain and Portugal is reenacted by a festival held on the first Thursday of March. This festival is called Noche de Brujas - Night of the Witches.
At the festival in the Catemaco district, you'll find a mix of modern features and breathtakingly beautiful destinations with perfect natural landscapes, clean streets, yet an atmosphere that remains mystical and magical.
The Noche de Brujas festival is the world's largest annual gathering of shamans, sorcerers, witches, prophets, healers, and other practitioners of magic.
Dragon Boat Festival, China
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Dwanwu Festival, originated in China over 25,000 years ago and takes place on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month each year. According to Chinese belief, the dragon is a sacred animal, symbolizing power, dignity, and prosperity. The Dragon Boat Festival was first held in Panyu, the birthplace of the Dragon Boat culture, deeply rooted in Chinese cultural identity. The festival consists of two parts: the ceremonial part and the festive part. In the ceremonial part, fishermen offer incense as a sign of respect to their ancestors and the deities of the rivers and seas. This is considered a very important part of the festival. Following this is the festive part, which is the boat racing competition among the fishermen. The competitions in this part are very intense and attract the attention of many people.
Boat racing is one of the exciting activities that takes place during the Dragon Boat Festival in China.
Carnival festival in Venice, Italy
The Carnival is one of the most famous festivals, taking place annually in February and lasting for two weeks. The Venice Carnival was first held in 1296. After a long hiatus, it was revived in 1980 and has been held annually ever since. Each year the festival has a different theme, but all aim to celebrate culture and create joyful celebrations for the people at the beginning of the new year. Throughout the two weeks, St. Mark's Square, theaters, streets, and office buildings become stages for actors, circus performers, dancers, musicians, and more, giving visitors the feeling of being in the 17th century.
Masks are the most distinctive feature of the Venice Carnival.
Las Fallas Festival, Spain
Las Fallas is Valencia's most iconic festival, celebrating spring and honoring Saint Joseph. During Las Fallas, the city is ablaze with parades, floats, fireworks, singing and dancing, fashion shows, bullfighting... and the streets are ablaze with giant effigies, known as fallas, on the final night of the festivities. This festival signifies the end of a cold winter and the arrival of the warm days of spring.
These giant, satirical mannequins depict Spanish politicians or celebrities.
Days of the Dead festival
The Days of the Dead festival in Oaxaca, Mexico, takes place in early November each year. The first day is dedicated to deceased children, and the second day to deceased adults. During these days, shops are filled with candy shaped like coffins and skeletons, along with paper puppets.
Mannequins of skeletons, coffins, and other effigies fill the streets of Oaxaca.
Mardi Gras street festival, USA
The Mardi Gras street music and costume festival usually takes place anytime between February 3rd and March 9th, depending on the date of Easter. This was the first festival held in New Orleans after the city was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Participants dress up as various impressive characters, joining the parade alongside dancers in vibrant, glamorous costumes, performing impressive dances.
A vibrant and colorful festival in America.
The "burning people" festival, Nevada, USA
The "Burning Man" festival is a week-long music and arts festival held annually from August 27th to September 3rd in the Black Rock Desert (Nevada), USA. The day before the festival, the entire Black Rock Desert is transformed into a city of bizarre colors. The main theme of the festival is to be rebellious. Rebels perform under the scorching desert sun and burn a giant effigy on the final night of the festival.
The giant effigy is being burned alive under the scorching desert sun.
Fringe Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is part of Edinburgh's famous annual festival series. It's the world's largest performing arts festival, bringing together outstanding artistic talents from the UK and Europe, and takes place every August. Due to its satirical, humorous, and often eccentric nature, the Edinburgh Fringe wasn't initially considered an official festival. However, over time, it has gained increasing recognition and participation, establishing its position and reputation worldwide. Therefore, it's not simply an opportunity for artists and art lovers to express themselves, but also a place for exchange, sharing experiences, and expanding the rich and unique "international" character of the arts.
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland and home to the Fringe festival, is full of quirky things and amusing performances.
