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Nous avons sélectionné ici pour vous les plus grands évènements qui se passent sur notre planète. Entre les plus grandes fêtes et les grands
rassemblements religieux, nous n'arrêterons sur les phénomènes naturels les plus impressionnants et les dates à ne pas manquer dans tous les
coins du monde... |
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| 26 January - 05 February 2008- Italy – Venice – Venice Carnival |
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The oldest document pertaining to the use of masks in Venice dates back to 2nd May 1268. The subversive nature of the festival is reflected
in the many laws created over the centuries in Italy attempting to restrict celebrations and often banning the wearing of masks.
Since 1980 the celebration of Carnival in Venice has gained popularity. Today Carnival starts around two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends
on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras), the day before Ash Wednesday. It is like a gigantic chariot drawn by a thousand horses,
accompanying guests and Venetians through the streets of Carlo Goldoni and his company, now three centuries old. .
It is a voyage of discovery in a fantastic world, made of music, theatre, games and magic. A whirling universe where people from every country
can experience the jokes, the masks, and the make-up. Where you can play hide and seek, then reveal yourself and...amaze. .
The Queen is disguised. She astonishes her people and makes men and
women from all countries fall in love with her, through color and coyness. Histories, tradition, emotion, are offered with mock modesty and
immense allure. .
Venice, Carnival, a single soul, a single idea ...undivided.
"Is Venice the Carnival? No gentlemen pardon me: Carnival is Venice!"
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| Read more : The Types of Masks... |
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| 2nd February
2008- Brazil – Rio de Janeiro – Carnival Rio |
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Although Carnival is celebrated in towns and villages throughout
Brazil and other Catholic countries, Rio de Janeiro has long been regarded
as the Carnival Capital of the World. The Rio Carnival is not only the
biggest Carnival, benchmark against which every other carnival is
compared but also one of the most interesting artistic global events.
Pretty much everyone has heard of the Rio Carnival. Foreign visitors to it
alone number around 500,000 every year.
One of the greatest elements of the Rio Carnival is that it not only
provides entertainment for many people around the world but at the same
time it gives also a chance to learn about the true culture of Brazil.
It is a wild 4 day event, which starts on Saturday and ends on Fat
Tuesday leading up to Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in the Roman
Catholic calendar. It takes place largely during February, the hottest
month in the Southern Hemisphere, when summer is at its peak. The Parade
starts at 9 p.m. and goes on until sunlight the next day, around 5-6
a.m. Each samba school has a time of 60 to 75 minutes to make it through
the run-way.
The Rio Carnival Parade is not a street carnival where people move
chaotically about as they like but more of a highly orchestrated show of
vast proportions. Every parader has a specific role and place according
to his costume in a particular wing of a particular section of the samba
school he is parading in support of.
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| Read more : Who is who in the Parade ... |
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| February 7,
2008- China –Everywhere- Happy New Year |
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The origin of the Chinese New Year is itself centuries old - in
fact, too old to actually be traced. It is popularly recognized as the
Spring Festival and celebrations last 15 days. Chinese New Year starts with
the New Moon on the first day of the New Year and ends on the full
moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the New Year is called the Lantern
Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children
carrying lanterns in a parade.
Chinese New Year or Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year is the most
important of the traditional Chinese holidays and celebrated in areas
with large populations of ethnic Chinese. It has a strong influence on
the New Year celebrations of its neighbors. These include Koreans,
Mongolians, Nepalese, Bhutanese, Vietnamese, and formerly the Japanese before
1873. In Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and other
countries with significant Chinese populations, Chinese New Year is also
celebrated, largely by overseas Chinese, but it is not part of the
traditional culture of these countries. In Thailand, for example, the true
New Year celebration of the ethnic Thais is Songkran, which is totally
different and is celebrated in April.
Today, Chinese New Year parades are annual traditions across North
America in cities with significant Chinese populations. Among the cities
with such parades are San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, and
Vancouver, British Columbia. However, even smaller cities that are
historically connected to Chinese immigration, such as Butte, Montana, have
recently hosted parades.
The period around Chinese New Year is also the time of the largest
human migration, when migrant workers in China, as well as overseas Chinese
around the world travel home to have reunion dinners with their
families on Chinese New Year's eve. More interurban trips are taken in
mainland China in this 40-day period than the total population of China.
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a
time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally
highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth,
the gods of the household and the family ancestors.
The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital of all the rituals,
united the living members with those who had passed away. Departed
relatives are remembered with great respect because they were responsible for
laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of the family.
The presence of the ancestors is acknowledged on New Year's Eve with a
dinner arranged for them at the family banquet table. The spirits of
the ancestors, together with the living, celebrate the onset of the New
Year as one great community. The communal feast called "surrounding the
stove" or weilu. It symbolizes family unity and honors the past and
present generations.
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| The program of 15-Day Celebration of Chinese New Year |
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| March, 22,
2008 - India – Mostly North – Holi Festival |
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Holi or Holikotsava, the festival of colors, is celebrated with great vigor and joy on the day of the full moon in the month of Phalgun
(which comes in February end or early March). It has an ancient origin and celebrates the triumph of 'good' over 'bad' bridging the social gap
and renew sweet relationships. On this day people hug and wish each other 'Happy Holi'. The colorful festival of Holi is celebrated for 2
days.
Legend has it that Holi derives its name from Holika, the daughter of the mythical king Hiranyakasipu who commanded everyone to worship him.
However, his little son Prahlad refused and instead he became a devotee of Lord Vishnu. In order to eliminate Prahlad, Hiranyakasipu and Holika
decided to take advantage of the power Holika had of walking through the fire unharmed. Holika walked into the fire with Prahlad; however,
Prahlad who was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu remained unharmed.
Holika lost her life, as her powers were only effective is she entered the fire alone.
On the evening of the first day of Holi bonfires are lit, symbolically burning the demon 'Holika' and celebrating the triumph of good over
evil. On the second day, people smear 'Gulal' or colored powder often mixed with water on one another and dance to the beats of the drums.
Today Holi is an excuse for Indians to shed inhibitions and caste differences for a day of spring fever and Big Fun. Teenagers spend the day
flirting and misbehaving in the streets, adults extend the hand of peace, and everyone chases everyone else around, throwing brightly colored
powder (gulal) and water over each other.
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| Occasional Story of traveler. Holy man, Holi Festival in Jaipur |
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| 7 to 14
July, 2008 - Spain – Pamplona – Bull running in the streets |
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Every year from July 7th - 14th thousands pack into Pamplona to
start Spain's most famous bull-running fiesta to honor Navarre capital's
patron saint, San Fermin. Spain stages more than 3,000 fiestas
(festivals) each year but the 7 days of bull-running are the favorite in terms of
spectacle and excitement.
After the daybreak of July 7th, runners (mainly young men) gather at
the bottom of Santo Domingo, which is the starting line. They crowd
together and sing to the image of San Fermin which is placed in a niche on a
wall. The song goes: "A San Fermín pedimos, por ser nuestro patrón,
nos guíe en el encierro dándonos su bendición" ("We ask San Fermín, as
our Patron, to guide us through the Bull Run and give us his blessing.")
Then, as a rocket goes off, a number of fighting bulls are let out onto
the streets. A second rocket is then let off to make sure everyone
knows the bulls are loose in the street. The bulls run along the narrow
street 825 meters (half a mile) to a bull ring. The runners dash along in
front of the bulls, aiming to feel the breath of the bull on their
backs, getting as close as possible - all whilst trying to avoid getting
gored by their sharp horns.
It is not uncommon for runners to be killed by bulls. In 2006 three
people were killed and many injured whilst bull running. The bulls take
this seriously too!
When the bulls finally reach the end of the street, they go into pens
and are kept until later that day they are killed in a bullfight.
Other cities in Spain also have bull running festivals if you can’t
make San Fermin or don’t like crowds. Aravaca-Pozuelo, a suburb of Madrid,
for example, has a bull running festival in late summer. All over
Spain towns have their fiestas, many of which have bull runs. And Denia on
the Costa Blanca is famous for having more fiestas than any other town
in Spain.
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| Read more :History background and Today reality |
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| July 14th,
2008 - France – Everywhere - Bastille Day |
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The French Independence Day is Bastille Day, July 14. It's called that
because it celebrates the storming of the Bastille, a famous prison,
during the French Revolution, in 1789.
The Bastille was built in 1382 and originally defended the eastern side
of Paris from attack. The Bastille was constructed with walls more
than 80 feet high and was surrounded by a moat or fosse. Hundreds of years
later, the ruling monarchy converted The Bastille into a prison. The
Bastille soon became a hated symbol of the monarchy as it was in the
Bastille that the King and the royal government would hold dissidents and
other political prisoners without trial. Prisoners were sent there
simply under the King’s orders and only he could decide on and grant pardon
and release.
As a hated symbol and being in the heart of Paris, the Bastille was a
perfect target for the protestors. The storming of the Bastille was seen
as a symbol of the uprising of the modern French "nation", and of the
reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy
which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution. The motto
"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" was reinstated.
Many cities hold fireworks during the night. Many dancing parties are
organised (bals du 14 juillet) and it is customary that firefighters
organize them (bals des pompiers). Those celebrations take place from 13
July at night to 14 July. Military parades, called Défilés du 14
juillet, are held on the morning of 14 July, the largest of which takes place
on the Champs-Élysées avenue in Paris in front of the President of the
Republic. During the rest of the day there are numerous organized
events noisy and boisterous parties with the day culminating in splendid
organized firework displays. An elaborate fireworks display at Montmartre,
also public dances, and general merrymaking. Wherever you are in
France, there will be a celebration.
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| Read more :La Marseillaise lyrics |
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| Last weekend
of August, 2008 - England – London - Notting Hill Carnival
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Europe's biggest street party. Approximately 1 million people attend
the Notting Hill Carnival each year. The Notting Hill Carnival has been
taking place in London, on the last weekend in August, every year since
1964. This great festival began initially from the energies of Black
immigrants from the Caribbean, particularly from Trinidad, where the
Carnival tradition is very strong, and from people living locally who
dreamed of creating a festival to bring together the people of Notting Hill,
most of whom were facing racism, lack of working opportunities, and
poor housing conditions resulting in a general suppression of good
self-esteem.
Six disciplines go to make up the carnival as we know it today. Mas'
(masquerade), Steelband, Calypso (political, social and satirical
commentary, set to music), Soca (the traditional music of Carnival, a fusion
of Soul and Calypso), Static Sound Systems, and Samba all play their
part in the Carnival.
On Saturday, the Panorama takes place. This is a competition between
steelpan bands which are mainly from London, although recently it has
included bands from other areas of the UK. Carnival parades kick off on
Sunday with Children's Day, which uses a shorter route tailored to
children, families and young people. In recent years, this has become
increasingly popular, attracting 300,000 to 500,000 people. Many children's
groups "play mas" in traditional
Caribbean style, with both tykes
and teens parading in elaborate costumes. Other participants have
adapted traditions to suit younger children, those with disabilities and
families. For Children's Day, small faces are often painted rather than
masked.
The main Notting Hill Carnival parade takes place on Monday.
The current route for the main parade covers around 3 miles, following
Great Western Road, Chepstow Road, Westbourne Grove and Ladbroke Grove.
In addition to trucks with pan bands or mobile sound systems, there
are costumed masqueraders and around 40 static sound systems spread
throughout the area playing a range of music at high volume. While the
"traditional" Soca and some Calypso can still be found, also many other
musical styles are represented.
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| Read more :Some extra tips for successful carnival |
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| 8 to 24th
August, 2008 - China – Beijing (Pekin) – Summer Olympic Games 2008 |
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On 13 July 2001 at the 112th IOC Session in Moscow, Beijing was
elected the Host City for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in 2008. For the
first time, the Middle Kingdom would be hosting the Games, the fifth
edition (winter and summer combined) to be held in Asia: Tokyo 1964,
Sapporo 1972, Seoul 1988, Nagano 1998.
"One world, one dream" is the slogan for the Beijing Games, chosen from
over 210,000 entries sent in from all over the world. It expresses the
common desire of the whole world to respond to the call of the Olympic
spirit and seek to build a better future for humanity. .
The Games emblem, in the form of a Chinese seal which shows a dancing
figure, invites the peoples of the world to share in the celebration:
approximately 10,500 athletes, 28 sports, 302 events and innovative
architectural creations, such as the “Bird’s Nest" (the National Olympic
Stadium) or the “Water Cube” (the National Aquatics Centre). .
42 pre-Olympic Games sport events have been scheduled between July 2007
and May 2008 in Beijing and co-host cities, with 26 of them planned
for this year. Beijing will stage 23 such events and the rest will be
held in Hong Kong (equestrian), Qingdao (sailing), Shenyang (football) and
Qinhuangdao (football). .
August 2007 sees the most extensive agenda. There will be Hong Kong
equestrian competitions, Qingdao International sailing regatta, World
Rowing Junior Championships in Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park of
Beijing, the 2007 International Road Cycling Invitational Race, 2007
International Baseball Tournament, 2007 FIVB Beach Volleyball Women's
Challenger, 2007 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, 2007 Junior World Wrestling
Championship and three other events. .
Tickets are already in sold. Spectators can buy tickets in three ways:
purchase on the official website: http://www.goodluckbeijing.com.cn;
call the hotline (8610)64068888/64069999/64170058/64170068 or straight
from the Box Offices at the venues. .
Reselling and/or trading of tickets is prohibited. Tickets must not be
used for any purpose of politics, religion, commerce, advertising or
promotion unless there is in advance a written approval by the Organizing
Committee of the "Good Luck Beijing" Sport events, according to the
official website. .
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| Read more :What is Beijing? |
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| September –
October, 2008 - Kenya &Tanzania – animals Migration safari |
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The annual migration of the animals, (wildebeest and zebra) takes
place each year between Tanzania and Kenya.
Kenya animal Migration safari is known as the greatest animal show on
earth. Literally millions of these ungainly antelopes move en masse in
July and August from the Serengeti in search of lush grass. They head
south again around October. The best place to see this phenomenon is at
the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Wild animals on the move, blanket the masai mara landscape as far as
the eye can see now named the seven wonder of the world. The flow of
animal’s moves from southern to northern and western directions as the
herds head north towards the Mara River. Between July and August each year,
literally millions of wildebeest, often aptly termed the "clowns of
the African wildlife", head in their droves from the Serengeti in
Tanzanian search of fresh grasslands further north towards the Maasai Mara in
Kenya. Around November of each year, they turn and head back in a south
easterly direction towards Ngorongoro, Tanzania. The flow of animals
is entirely dependant on the weather and so the patterns change from
year to year.
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| One of the most popular scenarios of Kenyan and Tanzanian Safari |
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| 21st – 29th
September, 2008 - South Africa – Hermanus – Whale Festival |
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The Hermanus Whale Festival, the only Enviro-Arts festival in South
Africa, is held annually to celebrate the return of the Southern Right
whales to the waters of Walker Bay, our magnificent environment and the
arrival of spring!
Hermanus, coastal town, affectionately known as South Africa's "whale
town" is the best land based whale watching destination in the world.
Hermanus is situated a mere one-and-a-half hour drive from Cape Town and
the scenery en route is breathtaking.
It plays host to thousands of visitors who flock to the seaside resort
to exhilarate in the unique natural environment, watch whales, join in
the world’s only Welcome Whales Wave and revel in music, comedy,
cabaret and African rhythms every night during the Festival.
The whales are always the star performers at the Festival. The
Southern Right Whales frequent the coast of South Africa roughly from late
July through to December during their breeding season being joined on land
by musicians, crafters, sports celebrities and thousands of people
celebrating spring in one of the most beautiful place on earth – Hermanus.
Whale watching and shark cage diving, bird watching and Fynbos hikes,
baboons and kayak trips are just some of the adventures available but
even eagles, penguins, cranes and monkeys will feature in the
Go-Environmental program.
Special guest, Captain Paul Watson of Sea Shepherd will reveal plans
for putting a stop to the massacre of Southern Right whales by the
Japanese whalers.
The full program of entertainment will be available from 1 August 2007.
Sporting events include:
• The Total Whale Half Marathon Saturday 22 September.
• The Whale Festival Classic Golf Tournament 27 & 28 September at
Arabella and Hermanus Golf Courses
• Boule Tournament 29 September at the Marine Hotel.
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| It's Such A Wonderful Animal To Watch, By Sivuyile Mangxamba |
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| 9th
November, 2008 - India – Diwali |
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Diwali, also called Deepavali, is a major Indian festival that is very
significant in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. Diwali is derived from
the Sanskrit word Deepavali, meaning rows of lights. Known as the
"Festival of Lights," it symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
According to the Ramayana and in north India, particularly in Uttar
Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Bihar, this festival commemorates the return
of Lord Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the eldest son of King
Dasharath of Ayodhya, from his 14 year old exile with Sita and Lakshman
after killing Ravan, a demon king. In south India, Diwali is celebrated
in commemoration of the destruction of the demon Narakasura by Lord
Krishna.
On Diwali, the festival of lights, thousands of lamps are lit in and
outside every home as a greeting to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Gifts
are exchanged and festive meals are prepared during Diwali. Sweets are
then distributed, followed by bursting of crackers. Celebrations focus
on lights and lamps, particularly traditional dipa or deeya. Fireworks
are associated with the festival.
Diwali is celebrated for five consecutive days at the end of Hindu
month of Ashwayuja. It usually occurs in October/November, and is one of
the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals in India. Hindus and Sikhs
alike regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to
strengthen family and social relationships.
Diwali is celebrated in various parts of the world, in countries such
as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Suriname, Canada,
Guyana, Mauritius, Fiji, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal,
Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, United
Arab Emirates, Australia, much of Africa, and the United States. In
India, Diwali is now considered to be more of a national festival, and the
aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless
of faith.
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| What to know for 5 days of Diwali? |
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| 31st
December – 7th January 2008 -Russia – New Year and Christmas. |
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There are 11 time zones in Russia. Thus New Year is celebrated 11 times
on its territory. And with that New Year is one of the main holidays
in Russia especially since influence of Soviet Union ideology which
neglected all religious holidays. So it’s fair to admit that only Russians
really value that holiday as nobody else.
In X century Russians celebrated New Year on March 1, in XV century New
Year was transferred to September, 1. Czar Peter the Great changed a
calendar according to the West-European calendar, cancelled ancient
chronology from creation of the world and decreed to enter calendar from
Christ birth – transferred Russia from year 7208 to year 1699. Russians
began to celebrate New Year on January, 1, but again with backlog for 14
days from the Gregorian calendar. So today Christmas is invariably on
7th January and Old-Style New Year optionally on 14th January.
New Year in Russia is celebrated with lots of fanfare. The New Year's
Tree or Novogodnaya Yolka which is situated in all main squares and
sometimes reaches maximum of its possible height is decorated with tinsel
and sweets. In the New Year Eve everybody greets each other one month
before with Coming New Year, after 2 weeks with New Year and after one
month with Happened New Year. ;)
Everybody offers gifts to one another, has fun even from strangers,
makes fireworks everywhere, cooks delicious meals, visits friends and
relatives, takes adventure of getting know new people and make new friends
very easily. Everything brings feeling that New Year means end of life
so nobody borrows money for example to not have depths in New Year.
Russians follow the tradition of listening to the New Year Speech from the
President just few moments before New Year midnight. After that
everybody tries to open a bottle of champagne and make a wish within the
first few moments while Kremlin Chimes strike 12. And the real place to be
that moment is a Red Square in Moscow.
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| Some traditions and rules to know about |
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| 31st
December, 2008- Brazil – Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana beach – Happy New Year |
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New Year's Eve is one of Rio de Janeiro's most important celebrations,
second only to Carnival in popularity. It attracts people from all over
the world, and Brazilians from all states.
The festivities are concentrated in Copacabana, with 2 million people
every year. The mixture of Brazilian and African culture gives a special
essence to New Year’s Eve celebration at Copacabana. There are four
stages along the beach with live music shows starting at 8 p.m. featuring
everything from traditional Carnival songs to rock and dance.
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Firework display is the magic of this entire event. It starts at
midnight, with the turning of the year. The fireworks stations are located in
boats anchored in a safe distance from the beach. It lasts about 15-20
minutes, and two highlights are the fireworks cascades at Forte de
Copacabana and at Le Meridian Hotel. .
The celebration continues late into the night and millions of people
come together to celebrate the New Year filling each and every space on
the beach and the sidewalks. The beach kiosks and restaurants are also
open in the night so that snacks and refreshments are available in
plenty. .
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| Some traditions and rules to know about. |
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