Parisians come out on to the streets in thousands to participate in this cheerful festival. The walk of masks and the processions are the two types of events that happen at the carnival. People disguised in huge numbers parade the streets and so many curious people come to see them at the given time and location. The modern day carnival is run by the MACAQ – the movement for the cultural and artistic Liveliness of the Quarter . The festival accompanies more than 1500 participants and over 40000 spectators in 2009 , growing from 10000 in 2007 . With interesting themes such as the 2010 theme of Improbable couples the festival is looked forward to by many. The 2013 carnival theme has been, announced as …

The traditional New Year is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm by the majority of the residents of Sri Lanka. Interestingly the timing and nature of the New Year celebrations bear affinity with the corresponding traditions amongst several South and South-east Asian peoples. The Sri Lankan New Year falls on the 13th and 14th of April and is marked as a public holiday in the country. This auspicious occasion is considered to herald the ending of spring and the harvest season. The distinctive traditions and rituals are said to be derived from the rich history and cultural traditions of the nation. These beliefs were influenced by the advent of Buddhism, the main religion of the country, to create the colourful and vibrant customs and rites …

Sri Lanka’s National Day, also called Independence Day is a very important occasion for all Sri Lankans. On this day all Sri Lankan citizens unite to affirm their national pride and joy in the autonomy and unity of their country. This significant event falls on February 4th, the day on which independence was granted to the nation from the colonial power Britain in the year 1948. An important national holiday, this event is an occasion for countrywide celebrations with flag-raising ceremonies, parades, performances and dances. Sri Lanka in its rich and eventful history has experienced numerous national conflicts, and these struggles are all recalled and commemorated on this day; however, the independence struggle against the last colonizers, the British Empire is particularly remembered. The highlight …

The day of Nyepi is a very important occasion for the Balinese. Falling at the dawn of the New Year according to the Balinese traditional calendar, Nyepi is a Hindu festivity which is native to Bali. A national holiday in Indonesia, Nyepi is a time for fasting, silence and meditation for the people of Bali. The subsequent day is celebrated as the commencement of the New Year, and is also a day of festivity. Nyepi is observed strictly, from 6 am in the morning to the same hour the following day. The occasion is considered to be a time for self-reflection, when any diversions and activities which might hinder with this objective are proscribed. Accordingly on this day there are many restrictions on the Balinese …

The capital of France, fondly known the world over as the ‘City of Love and Music’, is home to the Opera de Paris Garnier which was built for Emperor Napolean the Third. The name of the building is derived through its designer, Charles Garnier and work on the building commenced in 1862. However, its completion was delayed due to the astonishing discovery of an underground lake, part of which is said to exist even today, making this construction an architectural marvel. The Opera de Paris Garnier has the proud distinction of being one of the largest such theatres in the world and its interior design is just as majestic and is complete with marble columns, sculptures and gilded statues. The Grand Marble Staircase found inside, …

Modern day Singapore is a melting pot of diverse communities, ethnicities and cultures thanks to its strategic geographical location as a port where many Asians settled down in the country subsequent to arriving there for trade and commerce. Therefore, the diversity it affords as a nation and the peaceful relations and mutual respect that exist between these communities are truly unparalleled. It is this cultural diversity is celebrated in the Chingay Parade. The Chingay Parade is a celebration that takes place as the nation welcomes the Chinese New Year and was introduced by the then administration lead by Lee Kwan Yew in order to continue the spirit and merriment of their people even after the lighting of fire crackers were banned as a safety precaution. …