Top 10 Most Colorful Festivals in the World
‘Festival’ word indicates celebration. It is a time for rejoicing, sharing and loving. Festivals are a part of our tradition and custom as it reminds us of some special events happened in the past and helps us to cherish or remember them. There are different histories related to each and every festival. Christmas indicates the born of Jesus Christ, saint Patrick’s festival as the death of saint Patrick and the birth of Christianity, etc. These festivals are important as they bring people together, give us beautiful moments and relax us from our daily busy life. They are needed to remind us of all the great people, the victories, the loses and basically our history. These festivals help us to honor the past and teach us lessons too. So festivals are to be celebrated with happiness.
Let us see the top 10 most colorful festivals in the world.
1. The Barranquilla Carnival
The Barranquilla Carnival of Barranquilla, Atlantico was honored by the UNESCO it as a world masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It is the most-awaited festival of the year by all who wish to enjoy four days of a cultural and folkloric event characterized by ethnic diversity, merriment, dance, music, and entertainment.
The Barranquilla Carnival is the best example of triple cultural fusion (European, African, and Indian) in which the Catholic festivities brought by the Spaniards from the Old World blended with aboriginal ceremonies and the musical heritage of African slaves that gives rise to a spectacular folk festivity.
The main attractions of the carnival are: “The 84th street Parade” and “The Funeral of Joselito Carnaval”
The 84th Street festival: This is a pumped up party with many colorful people dressed up in traditional costumes parading down the street. Thing that is to be watch out for is the Queen weeps without consolation until she faints! After this the costumed cumbia dancers reappear to finish things off with dance and delight.
The Funeral of Joselito Carnaval: Joselito is the most representative character of the carnival which symbolizes gaiety and festiveness and dies after 4 days of intense partying. His body is cried over and symbolically buried by the merry widows who shared his festivity days.
2. The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival
This is a very exciting carnival of Spain. People from different parts of the world willingly participate in this festival. For fifteen days, people see the streets of Spain filled with colors, joy, excitement and unlimited fun. Many beautiful girls in their costumes also attend the carnival and one of them is elected as the carnival queen, and thousands of people cover the streets singing and making merry to each other. Different artists and bands give musical performances and the whole crowd sing their bellies out with joy.
3. Chinese New Year
“The Chinese New Year” is the literal translation from their original language, it is an important Chinese holiday. The celebrations of the festivals run from the new year’s eve to the Lantern festival which is on the 15th day of the first month which makes it the longest festival in the entire Chinese calendar. The Chinese New Year is also called as the Lunar New Year.
The New year is a big thing for the people of China, in their busy lives it is often a chance for family gatherings and annual re-unions dinners. It is also traditional of the festival that every family thoroughly cleanse their homes, in order to clean or “sweep away” any ill-fortune and to make way for good fortunes and good luck to come. Windows and doors are decorated with red color paper and couplets with popular themes of “good fortune”, “ happiness”, “ wealth and longevity”. Other activities include lighting firecrackers and giving money in red paper envelopes to friends and family members.
4. Carnival of Berlin
Every year in the summers the capital of Germany, Berlin celebrates its rich cultural heritage in “The Carnival of Cultures.” Among the multicultural parades and celebrations the main attraction of the carnival which also is the finale is “The Big Street Parade” that takes place in the Kreuzberg district.
Thousands of participants perform at the Carnival Cultures Street Parade, they are cheered by millions who just come to this part of the world to attend the carnival. It also serves a chance for the people of Berlin to exhibit their colorful culture to the world and people to enjoy this mixing of so many colors, costumes, tradition and ethnic diversities at a single place. Other attractions are the Four day street festival at Blücherplatz in the Kreuzberg district which invites various international bands, stilt-walkers and magicians which display their unique talents and about 300 food stalls attract by for their authentic food.
5. Full Moon Party
Few years ago, some tourists saw the most beautiful full moon in Koh Phangan so arranged the full night beach party to celebrate the full moon night and from now onwards this full moon night festival is celebrated every year in Thailand. People from different places come to join this celebration. Thousands of people gather, watch the yellow moon reflecting over the sand beach and people lite lamps and the celebration starts. As the time proceeds, everybody dances around, loads of music is played. Jugglers entertain the crowd, drinks are served and people go around enjoying with each other.
Source: http://top-10-list.org/2013/08/04/top-10-most-colorful-festivals-in-the-world/
