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Monday, May 14. 2007
 Whoever invented festivals must be a sensitive, social genius! He understood and pre-empted the need of global community to appreciate each other's diversity and culture. Attending different festivals is a quick ticket to what each nation has to offer. We meet different people of varied origins while we get to share the same passion or theme of celebration.
I just love wines because of its rich vintage taste. So why don't we pour some into our glasses, sip a little, and get drunk for once in our lives?! Besides, wine's considered as a special part of gourmet culture. It's great with steaks and lamb chops, and it's good for health. It also promotes proper digestion, so long as you don't abuse its intoxicating property.
When I learned that I'll be flying to Germany as participant to Moselle Wine Festival, I was thrilled not only to taste the famed wine, but to uncover the real German tradition. You know what? I found out that Germans are not as stern as history portrays them to be. They're incomparable to the vicious leader image of Adolf Hitler. They know how to party -- thousands surround a huge fountain of Moselle wines! The main attraction of the festival is their celebration of heritage and wine connoisseurship.
Sunday, May 13. 2007
I wonder why the world is torn by its religious bouts. Yes, we may differ in varied paths of faith, yet, we all affirm one truth -- the belief that there indeed is a supernatural being called God. I see no reason why any of us should close our eyes to this dynamic culture and religious passion. If we can only learn to live with our diversity, then we can all be more pious servants of a divine being.
Saturday, May 12. 2007
Maulid Nabi celebrates the birthday of a religious icon, Prophet Muhammad PBUH. It is considered a local holiday in Indonesia. All shops and even government stations are temporarily closed. Everybody's on a break; even newspaper's on a holiday. You won't be able to catch a glimpse of the headlines. The talk of the town surrounds the life of Prophet Muhammad, who is considered as a great inspiration to the Muslim community of the world.
Friday, May 11. 2007
 To give your Prophet Muhammad a big birthday bash is a sign of sincere devotion and love for a great Muslim being. Celebrating the prophet's special day began in Fatimid, Egypt, when people used to chant and give away sweets for the festivity. Although no prayers and religious services are offered on his day, Indonesians now use this time to reflect on teachings and examples of the great Muhammad.
Thursday, May 10. 2007
Festivals remind us of culture and heritage. We gather to commemorate and celebrate the spirit of fun and discovery. May it be an Apple Festival or a music feast, we surely pick a few trivias along the way. For me, I always consider myself as an aimless wanderer. I want to journey through the unknown and savor every treat. After all, the world is at its peak if we only care to share and see its unique qualities.
Wednesday, May 9. 2007
When you go far beyond boundaries and set afoot on Singapore, you'll be astounded by its beauty and freshness. It's a small country but it's generous in culture and artistry. The streets are clean and the air is fresh; it's different from the suffocating city life. It doesn't lag bahind the modern civilization. I don't know for sure but there's something stern yet inviting about it. Maybe because in Singapore, discipline is a way of living. Singapore is a real Tiger, wild and mysterious.
Tuesday, May 8. 2007
I was among the 500,000 art enthusiasts who flew all the way to Singapore. The 2006 Singapore Arts Festival featured a lot of mementos and crafts reminiscent of true-blue cunning and splendor. If you really want to invibe the real spirit of Singapore, you'll have to see their impressive art collections. In every color and detail is the value of culture and their philosophy in life. With outstanding performances and elegant presentation, the event suits my fine taste.
Monday, May 7. 2007
"An apple a day, keeps the doctor away." This is not a dumb-found theory because apples are really healthy. You'll either be tempted to take a bite on a glossy, red apple or munch on an apple pie. Both way will be good for your body and good for your dental health. Why? Just so you know, apple strengthens your gum and cleans your teeth. That's why you have a squeaky clean feeling everytime you eat a piece. This fruit is gufted with an antiviral property that helps detoxify the body. It aids proper digestion and lower cholesterol. A big, red apple and you get 30% of fiber of your daily requirement.
Sunday, May 6. 2007
 If there's one thing in life we should always be grateful for, this is the richness of our food. It is nature's way to supplement us with strength and further give us the agility to combat stress and shortcomings in life. And for that, I make it a point to join food festivals. Of course, it's fun but it also gives me more idea on food and its use. Like for example the Apple Festival. I was able to relish on its different recipe meals while being informed of its health benefits. Festivals are a good way to celebrate life and bond with other people.
Saturday, May 5. 2007
How would you like to see a 10-foot apple pie? I know, it's amazing. I wonder how they baked it to perfection! The overwhelming piece is the spectacle of The Casey County Apple Festival in Kentucky. It is a street festival to mark a milestone of its 32nd year. Back in 1975, it started as a small event in a parking lot before more people joined the festival. Then it became a lavish celebration. It isn't just the apple and the pie, which is by the way served to all guests for free, you can bring your kids and enjoy a carnival, pageants, contests and various selling carts where you can shop. You should check this out!
Friday, May 4. 2007
Bitter at first, but it's a one way ticket to manhood. Is there any man who doesn't drink beer? I know none. Beer is an all-time beverage classic. You may dislike it at first, yet one more gulp and you'll be addicted to its taste. Teens, men, women, and elderly, we all had our first encounter with the beer. For a beer aficionado like me, there's nothing better than an ice-cold drink served in a chilling bottle. I don't just get drunk, but I enjoy it. So every now and then, you will find me and my buddies on a drinking spree during beer festivals.
Thursday, May 3. 2007
 What's the good thing about beer festival is that you'll get to taste it for free and you get to enjoy its variety. It's a good time and place to meet brewers and bond with other people holding a bottle of beer in hand. You won't only get to enjoy, but you'll also learn a lot from this event like how beers are made and concocted with just the right goodness. Great people, great atmosphere, it's one hell of a beer party! There's a world beer festival calendar and I make sure that I check it out once in a while.
Wednesday, May 2. 2007
I've heard that Brewers Association is already planning the details for the 2006 American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado. Aside from the event highlights, it will be a celebration of the brewing culture of America. It will be participated by different brewing companies so you'll get to share and compare your fancy for beer and drinking. There will be educational booths, drinking contests, and musical performances by local bands. This is one big event I couldn't miss. I'm on my way to registering myself as an avid participant and if you want, you can join in the fun and have a beer festival experience of your own.
Tuesday, May 1. 2007
Do you know that India is one of world's lavish sources of mango supply? Aside from being delicious and nutritious, mangoes have enzymes similar to papain in papayas. These enzymes help in proper digestion that's why after eating mangoes, we are relieved with satisfaction. Mango is a personal favorite of mine, so when I heard about the Mango Festival in India, I signed up to join this mouthwatering adventure in Asia.
Monday, April 30. 2007
The Mango Festival is held in Pinjore during the months of June or July. If you're looking for a lavish feast for mangoes, you ought to visit Yadavindra Gardens. There are hundreds of mango species from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and from Haryana, Himachal, and Punjab. I'm sure you'll be delighted to see these hybrids. Aside from the mangoes, the festival is celebrated with different cultural rituals and extravagance all in the lovely garden of Yadavindra.
Sunday, April 29. 2007
I was joined by a couple of friends when we flew to India. At first, we can't imbibe the festival spirit. Maybe because we're experiencing some tinge of culture shock landing on a foreign turf. But when the mango feast started, we were able to blend in with crowd. The celebration was simple but fun. If you get to know people from India, you'll realize that they can be friendly though they're deeply tied to their tradition. India is a hidden treasure in Asia. If we'll just try to uncover its mystery, we'll see that there's more to it than mangoes.
Saturday, April 28. 2007
 For many of us, every year unfolds as a new beginning. Others come up with list of resolutions in hopes of improving life, only to break the promise of change and forget all about the spirit of the new year sooner than they expected. But for me, new year is not a time for promises, but a time to get together with your family and be grateful for the best and worst of the year that was. Yes, it symbolizes change, but you can do it anytime you want. What's important is to imbibe the spirit and love for the family while you face another chapter of your life.
Friday, April 27. 2007
The world is always in awe with ancient Chinese traditions. From green tea to Feng Shui, we've all borrowed and adopted a few of their thoughts into our rituals and beliefs. And while they follow the lunar calendar for a new year celebration, it didn't stop the world in taking part in their cultural festivities. The Spring Festival or the Chinese New Year feast falls between January and February. There's no specific date but all the same, the spirit of new life is there to live by. "Guo Nian" is a Chinese term which means passing the year. It is the revolving theme for the Spring Festival when families get rid of the old to start over with the new. It will also be a fun way to enjoy Jiaozi or steamed dumpling and to witness the extravagance of their occasion.
Thursday, April 26. 2007
At midnight, in time for the turning over of the new year, you will witness lavish display of Chinese fireworks. They believe that through noise and dazzling light, they will drive away evil spirits and welcome the new year with a bang. For a time, firecrackers will dominate the scene of the city while the spirit of the season will soon captivate every family's heart. To greet the coming year, they get rid of debts, clean the house, wear new clothes, and get new haircuts. You'll also find their house a beauty of culture and traditions with different ornaments hanging around the place. They also burn incense in the temples or at home to pay respect and ask for blessings from ancestors and gods. It may be silly but even if they look forward to a new year, they never fail to preserve their old-age beliefs, and that for me is the true sense of the season. The fusion of the old and new for a prosperous life ahead.
Wednesday, April 25. 2007
We deem Hong Kong as the shopping capital in the world, all in search for cheaper bargains. Why not? If you're shopping extravagance in Europe such as France or Italy can amount to heaven's worth of delight in this wonderful city. Great weather, great food, great scenery. What else is there but for you to enjoy and have fun while you stretch out your vacation to various activities other than shopping. My whole family is among those who enjoyed the Chinese vacation. Although it is a foreign turf, we found ally in its lavish tourism programs and sites. But if there's one more thing we are lucky to have seen, it's the Dragon Boat Festival.
Tuesday, April 24. 2007
The Dragon Boat Festival started from a folklore. They say that there used to be a man named Chu Yuan. He was intelligent, patriotic, and brave. He tried his best to guide the emperor as a scholar, but the emperor just wouldn't listen, so as part of his protest, he drowned himself in the water. When people heard about it, they sympathized with him and tried to rescue the drowning hero. But after the search, they only failed to recover his body. So in desperate hopes, they use the drums to scare the fish so they wouldn't touch Chu Yuan's body. They threw in rice dumplings as a sacrifice and to commemorate Chu Yuan's loyalty and courage, hence, the Dragon Boat Festival was celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.
Monday, April 23. 2007
 The fifth lunar month is believed to be an unlucky month. It is a month not only for Chu Yuan's death but a time when plague usually breaks out. Because of this superstitious conviction, families hang different ornaments and chimes to drive evil spirits away. The Dragon Boat Festival is also a day when you'll be able to munch on the best rice dumplings as part of their tradition. Rice dumplings have been around for a time and they celebrate this humble feast for the great respect for Chu Yuan. They say that during this day, it is also best to collect herbs as medicine and it works better if you'll prepare them on the same glorious day.
Sunday, April 22. 2007
I've always been fascinated about the culture and heritage of Asia. It may not be as gaudy as Europe but it reveals the colorful life on other side of the world. Every street, every corner is a chance to meet friendly and hospitable Asian people. There are also a lot of ways to have fun. You can go shopping without burning down your pocket, and you can go clubbing or enjoy their eccentric cuisines. A change of atmosphere can be good at times. I was invited once by a Malaysian delegate for the Gawai Dayak festival and I came with the whole family to discover Malaysia.
Saturday, April 21. 2007
I've heard a lot about Spanish fiestas, food, and music festivals, but Gawai Dayak doesn't fit in any of these categories. It's a harvest festival, a lavish celebration to give thanks to the spirits for all the blessings they've enjoyed. To be a part of it, I was like transported back to the primitive days when ethnic people conjure a spell or mantra. The whole thing is an ancient festivity when we see local folks dancing, singing, and worshiping their gods.
Friday, April 20. 2007
 Part of the common tradition and practice is to dress in native costumes while they perform rituals or traditional rites. The Malaysian counterpart who invited my whole family was a native of Sarawak. He even introduced us to their customs and even served us a platter of different native varieties. If you're thinking that it's primitive and boring, well I assure you that they do know how to party. There were games, processions, and feast of food for everyone to taste. My son loved the culture. He said that Malaysia is a moving picture of energy and enthusiasm from people who didn't forget to trail back to old ways. They know how to preserve beliefs even in a bullet-paced world.
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Bookmark http://www.worldwide-festivals.com/
Comments
Sun, 22.10.2006 13:16
I thought Gemany's popular for beers! Then maybe we should compare which is a more popular beverage.
Sun, 22.10.2006 13:16
I once watched a documentary about Germany and it only shows how passionate and family oriented they can be.
Fri, 20.10.2006 09:15
If you get to read the Q'uran, there are lots of amazing stories about Muhammad and the people.
Fri, 20.10.2006 09:15
What I like about Muslims are their relentless dedication to religion.
Wed, 18.10.2006 12:52
I'ved been to Singapore and you'll realy enjoy their safari. It's really magical to be in this part of Asia.
Wed, 18.10.2006 12:52
Singapore is a real beauty but there are strict rules even for tourists.
Fri, 13.10.2006 15:52
Food festival are fun. You eat for free and you get new recipes.
Fri, 13.10.2006 15:52
I've seen it on TV. They say it's sensational event in Kentucky.
Fri, 13.10.2006 15:12
Even at a younger age, there were a number of circumstances when we became oblivious or forgetful of our daily tasks. [...]
Thu, 12.10.2006 14:36
Sure, Athens is comparable to France in terms of historical affluence and grandiose beauty. But, both places have their [...]
Thu, 12.10.2006 13:40
I heard that tickets for the said festival are almost sold-out. Bad thing it's in Colorado!
Thu, 12.10.2006 13:39
Beers are quintessential beverage treat for all-American goodness. I love participating in beer festivals.
Thu, 12.10.2006 09:48
Management is like a maze or a jigsaw puzzle. You always have to find a good strategy out of challenging barriers and [...]
Sun, 08.10.2006 12:22
I've been to India once. It was kind of uncomfortbale at first, but give it sometime and you'll understand their [...]
Sun, 08.10.2006 12:21
I want to visit India sometime and get to taste their spicy ice ream. I'm also fond of their beaded bags.