The most interesting holidays of the world: list

For those who are not accustomed to the culture of other nations, other people's holidays will seem at least surprising, and as a maximum - strange. The traditions of other countries are exotic only for us, and for the local population it is habitual and deeply its own.

What is this article about?

Today we will talk about unusual traditions of different countries. There are such interesting holidays in the world that it is not for everyone to understand their meaning. But we will still try to do it.

In the article we collected interesting holidays in different countries of the world and below will try to briefly talk about each of them. Of course, this information does not pretend to be complete. The list below is far from exhaustive. And it is impossible to cite one in the framework of one article. But we will try to list at least the most famous ones.

Most of them exist in the form of folk festivals, a part - like all sorts of competitions. At the same time, the victory is not given much importance, the main thing is the fun and originality. The most important thing for the participants is to have a good time.

The most interesting holidays in the world - the list

In the United States emerged and quickly spread around the world (glory to the Internet!) One of them, called International Pirate Day. Once a year, namely on September 19, in the streets of any city on Earth you can meet characters in bandanas and with black bandages, hear gibberish about "piastres" and "thousand devils".

Prudish Englishmen, destroying the stereotype, invented the world championship rye. This disgrace is arranged in the city called Egremont (according to unconfirmed reports - already from 1297). The time for it is also September. Fans of all the world gather to make terrible faces. The title of the absolute champion - a certain Peter Jackson, for the sake of victory mutilated himself - pulled out his teeth completely.

What other holidays will we consider? Here is a short list:

• A monkey banquet.
• Festival of colors.
• Holiday of the naked.
• Tapati.
• Aphelion.
• Championship of gentlemen.
• Battle of tomatoes.
• Summer Redneck Games and others.

And what in the East?

In Thailand (Lopburi province), a banquet is held every year, nicknamed a monkey. Six hundred "invited" feast, eating vegetables and fruits in honor of the god Rama. According to legend, the monkeys helped him to win over the enemy.

And in India (New Delhi), a national holiday is celebrated 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, in the new moon (according to legend, this is the day of the death of the evil demon Holiki), in each city bonfires are burning - the symbol of the end of winter and the departure of evil spirits. Scarecrow Holiki is burned in the fire, there are thrown and fruit with grains.

The next morning (celebrate for two whole days) it is customary to have fun, pouring each other with colored water and throwing paints in powders.

And in Japan?

Japan is not far behind. The day, called a holiday of nude, is celebrated from the year 767. Men come to the temple (23-43 years old and around 3000), wearing only loincloths. According to the belief, you can get rid of misfortunes and troubles, touching the naked man.

Having cleansed the walls of the temple, the naked march through the city and allow anyone to touch himself. There are always a lot of such. But in February in Japan it's quite cold, so the participants have to warm up sake. The original name of the holiday is Hadaka Matsuri.

In Japan, it is believed that cold is a means of tempering the body and purifying the soul. Therefore, the culmination of action - fights and dousing with ice water.

... and on Easter Island

They can also have fun on the Chilean Easter Island. Tapati - the name of the holiday of worship of ancestors. The inhabitants of the island dance in special costumes and compete in the race with banana bunches - both men and women.

Mandatory procedure - a solemn choice of the queen. Indispensable qualities for the pretender to the title - beauty and diligence. It is required to prove to the strict jury that there are a lot of fish caught and a lot of cloth rolled up.

Back to Europe

England can boast 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 about the traditions of English gentlemen.

Interesting facts about the holidays of the world can be gleaned from studying history. In Scotland (the city of Lerwick) is celebrated a holiday called Aphelion. In another way it is called the Great Fire Festival and is considered one of the most unique.

To carry it out, a model of a Viking ship with a height of 9 meters 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 bugles and has nearly a thousand participants. In a certain place a wooden boat is set on fire - this is part of the old rite of farewell to the fallen soldiers.

The holiday is dedicated to the Vikings, landed next to the Scottish coast in the 9th century and left a mark on history. Celebrate it in January, the last Tuesday.

You are showered with tomatoes

Tomato (a battle of tomatoes) is called the Spanish festival in honor of the end of summer (in late August), taking place in the small town of Bunyol in the east of the country. Folk festivities consist of dances, fireworks, loud music and free treats. It ends with a tomato battle.

On the city square trucks come with a huge amount of tomatoes, which are customary to rush into each other. It is prohibited to rush other objects. The streets are flooded with tomato rivers, doors and windows of houses are closed with plastic, townspeople bathe in a pool filled with tomato juice.

And what about America?

The annual festival of Summer Redneck Games boasts the state of Georgia. The nail of the program is a contest of falling into liquid clay. The fans are not bothered by irrigation with dirty rain, the next sonorous plunge of the participant in a puddle is welcomed with deafening cries.

In the center of the Canadian Boston, once a year, there are "zombies" - their march is dedicated every year to one day. "Dead men" in rubber masks and "bloody" suits wander in search of "victims". I think the spectacle is not for the faint of heart ...

Much more positive, in our opinion, is the Havana (Cuba) cigar festival, which has the status of an international one. The manufacturers and exporters from 47 countries come to it. The program consists of concerts, exhibitions, presentations, visits to tobacco plantations. All events - on the topic of Cuban cigars.

In New Orleans - the world's jazz capital - in May-April, the world-famous Jazz Fest is traditionally held - one of the most grandiose jazz festivals. Performers perform in closed and open areas and just on the streets. At the same time everywhere sold dishes of the famous New Orleans cuisine - oysters, lobsters, fried eggplant.

What other interesting holidays are there? The list can be continued indefinitely. We also decided to walk on certain topics.

Thematic Holidays

Iceland boasts Beer Day (March 1). The duty of the participants on this day is to drink as much as they can. On that day in 1989, abolished the "dry law", which had been in effect for 75 years. Beer day is celebrated in bars and restaurants throughout the country, most active participants are students. Courgettes and pubs are open until the morning, and the number of participants does not decrease, despite the impressive prices.

If you want to taste quality English whiskey, go to the same festival in Scotland. This drink is the national pride of the Scots, and every spring there is a whole series of thematic festivals.

What's interestnig

Once a year, the most prestigious producers of this drink open the doors of their plants to ordinary visitors, for whom at other times the entrance is closed. At the tasting of whiskey crowds of people flock.

The program of the festival includes meetings with collectors, exchange of experience, excursions and sports. Participants can engage in throwing a hammer or a log, and also perform at a fashion show in kilts - Scottish skirts.

Flowers - where without them?

If you digress from the alcoholic theme, then other equally interesting holidays of the world are devoted to flowers. So, in Holland in September, you can observe a spectacular spectacle - a solemn procession through the city streets of flower platforms. What is there just no! Flower compositions imitate animals and fairy-tale characters, the procession stretches for a couple of kilometers. This event is known all over the world as one of the most beautiful and unforgettable flower shows.

Not only in Europe, like flowers. In the north of Thailand in February a beautiful and very impressive flower festival is held each year. The holiday continues 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 till night the events - fairs, exhibitions, festive processions are boiling.

One can not help 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 as a token of gratitude for helping 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. To the blossoming cherry blossom is devoted a spring event - an unofficial holiday, which is not in the calendar. But despite this, a lot of people gather in the parks, squares and temples of Japan to find a short period of its flowering. Sakura is admired in the evenings and in the afternoon. The trees are beautifully illuminated, and walks along the alleys are perceived romantically, despite crowds of people.

Lights and flashlights

Once we touched on the topic of lighting, let's recall the most interesting holidays in the world dedicated to the light. A lot of impressions are left by the Berlin Festival of Light. Every year in October, a couple of weeks the city shines with light installations. You seem to be in a fairy tale - the facades of houses and monuments are decorated with a myriad of light bulbs and flashlights, everywhere - lights of fireworks, flashes of searchlights and laser shows.

In Spain, there is a holiday of salutes and the most beautiful fireworks that takes place in March. That's where the pyrotechnics unfolded with might and main! You probably will not see such special effects anywhere else.

In Florence (Italy) celebrate the holiday of lanterns - every year in September, starting from the 17th century. It is customary to associate it with the birthday of the Virgin Mary, highly revered by the Italians.

Historically, it is customary to organize fairs and processions from paper lanterns with candles inserted in them on this day.

...and other

But, for example, in the mythology of China, one of the central places is assigned to dragons. And in honor of these creatures in the city of Weifang every April, an event called the International Kite Festival is being organized. 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 dig around, there will be interesting holidays in the world in December, January and any other month of the year.

Eat and drink

Are you still hungry while reading the article? Probably everyone wants to know about interesting holidays of the world, dedicated to food. Well, one of them is the Swiss gourmet festival (the city of St. Moritz). He spent five days at a well-known ski resort. Restaurants of the town are known not less than its ski slopes.

High cuisine is demonstrated to guests at the famous "Summit of the World" at 1800 meters above sea level. They come to their professional holiday world-class chef, and simply miracles begin to happen in the kitchen - otherwise you will not say.

In the best hotels of the city - uninterrupted culinary revues, tastings and gala dinners. Guests are invited to attend the cooking of delicacies and try the results here. The peak of the program is lunch for 300 people.

Let's move to Germany

Who has not heard about the famous Oktoberfest - the biggest beer festival in the world! The location of its disposition is the Bavarian capital - Munich. Open the festival in September for as long as 16 days.

Traditionally, at the opening ceremony, the mayor of the city unzips a barrel of beer. This is the beginning of the "beer marathon". All 16 days the people destroy beer and enjoy the show program. What is there just no! From costumed parades to processions of shooters, from concerts to races. Next to the beer dancers in traditional Bavarian leather pants beat tap dance.

Over these days, about 7,000,000 liters of beer are drunk and about 84 bull and a million and a half sausages and fried chicken are eaten. There are 363 additional souvenir shops. The number of tourists arriving from all over the world, exceeds seven million. The festival is broadcasted live, and it is among those that are included in the Guinness Book of Records for its scope.

Then - to France

And what are some interesting holidays in the world in November? After waiting this month, you can go to France for a holiday of young wine. It starts on the initiative of winemakers from the town of Beaujolais. With torches from the vine, they march to the town square, where already awaits a young wine in barrels.

Midnight is the time when the gags are knocked out, and "Beaujolais Nouveau" can be started to enjoy. In millions of bottles, young wine travels to shops, cafes and restaurants of all cities and countries. Manufacturers compete, who will deliver the goods faster.

Not by bread alone ...

And what about spiritual food? Here you have interesting holidays in the world, dedicated to shows.

In the world of cinema, of course, the primacy of the Cannes Film Festival (France). This is a prestigious and widely publicized event. For 10 days Cannes collects both stars and professionals of the world of cinema, and fans of the big screen from all countries.

Interesting holidays in the world in June is supplemented by such a cultural event as the Munich Opera Festival (Germany). This is a unique phenomenon of a world-wide culture. It lasts for about a month, starting in June. The main action is the National Theater of Bavaria.

The event sells more than 80,000 tickets. In front of the theater, a large screen is mounted on the square for free display to spectators, which is recruited another 14,000.

In the repertoire of the festival - the best performances - both new and past seasons, festival premieres of any opera genre. Performers perform world-class.

Other Activities

It is worth mentioning also about the Venice International (ie, held in Italy) international film festival - one of the oldest events of this level. And also about "Berlinale" - a similar event in Berlin, arranged in February and attracting the attention of all Europe. This is the mainstay of author and high-intellectual cinema, the jury includes many writers, directors, actors and famous cultural figures. Attend it no less than 200,000 people.

From this category - an event dedicated to the awarding of Cesar - the main annual French film award, which has the status of a prestigious award similar to Oscar.

And, of course, the presentation of the Oscar himself is in the USA. Perhaps, this is the most significant award in the world of cinema, and the holiday, held in honor of this event by the American Film Academy in the Kodak Theater of Los Angeles - is a world-scale event.

Summing up

As we see, the most interesting holidays of the world are for every taste - from folk festivals with rude customs to cultural events of world level. What other activities did we not mention in our review?

Probably, giving information about the most interesting holidays in the world and their brief description, it's just criminal to ignore the famous carnivals in Rio de Janeiro and Venice. What can I say? Any carnival is a rabid cocktail of costumes, flowers, music and dances. Carnival in Rio 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 productions. The winner receives a solid monetary prize, and the prestige of the school immediately flies to the skies.

And what about Russia?

Speaking about interesting holidays in the countries of the world, we never mentioned our country.

About the holiday of the White Nights (its other name is Scarlet Sails), I heard, perhaps, every graduate of the school. The action takes place in St. Petersburg in late June.

At night in the summer in St. Petersburg it is light, as in the day. The White Nights holiday is a romantic time, timed to the end of the school. As a culmination in the water area of the Neva appears a ship with scarlet sails, and in the sky bloom fantastic fireworks.

As you can see, there are interesting holidays of the world for every day. What date do you take - somewhere in the world people necessarily have fun and something to celebrate. And life from this only wins!