The city of Shanghai in the Republic of China hosts a series of Festivals, fondly known by those associated with it, as the ‘Four Festivals’. These festivals include the Shanghai Art Festival, the Shanghai Tour Festival, the Shanghai Movie and Television Festival as well as the Shanghai International Fashion Culture Festival. The latter has been conducted for 18 years and was founded in 1995. This festival is organised with the primary focus of promoting the fashion and textile industry of the Republic of China in order to facilitate the influence of Chinese traditions and styles to contemporary art and textiles as well as promote these finished products as serious contenders in the world market. The Festival is well-known worldwide and attracts buyers and enthusiasts from …

The Indonesian festival of Nyepi or traditional New Year is celebrated primarily in the exotic island of Bali. It is primarily a Hindu festivity but non-Hindus conform to the traditional customs as a show of respect for their fellow residents. Festive customs commence two days before the advent of the new year. On this date many hundreds of persons from each of the villages transport artefacts from temples to the beaches so that they can be ritually purified. People attire themselves in vibrantly coloured clothes and make their way to cheerful processions beginning from the early hours of the morning. Women will carry heaped offerings of prepared rice, fruits and other food on their heads whilst men carry a lengthy sheet of white and yellow …

Thailand is one of the most festive holiday destinations in the world. With a rich and colourful culture combined with a vibrant modern taste, Thailand is a nation where the party never ends. Throughout the 12 months that make up the year there are events and festivals that will surely entice the eager tourist. Some are traditional and others are modern and each comes with its very own unique platter of delights. If you are around during the month of March, prepare to be treated with the best of Jazz music at the Bangkok International Jazz Festival. Like every other event in Bangkok, the Jazz festival truly lives up to its name. A party that lasts all week long, the festival is colourful, loud and …

Each year on the 13th of March elephants in Thailand have a special day all to themselves. On this day they do not have to toil for their keep. Elephant day was first mooted in 1998 and is now firmly established as an important national event. Celebrations start a week ahead mainly to draw attention to efforts for elephant conservation and to protect their disappearing habitat. Each region, resort, elephant camp and conservation centre has their own programmes for commemorating Elephant Day. One of the best outcomes of the day is seeing a large number of elephants in one place looking as if they enjoy the attention. On this special day many events are organized to honour and express appreciation for the animal that has …

Chinese New Year is a widely celebrated festival – celebrated either in the month of January or February, depending on the lunar calendar. All around the world, hundreds of communities celebrate this time by lighting beautiful lanterns, conducting parades and spending time as a community or family. The streets are lit up in beautiful lanterns, decorated with Chinese calligraphy. People adorn themselves with new clothes and give gifts to children. Shops offer special deals on all items. For nights on end, long dancing dragons fill the street in the traditional dragon parades, which also feature acrobats and dancers. Fireworks light up the night sky and the streets are filled with the colour red, which is said to be able to ward off beasts. The Chinese …

New Year’s Eve is a time for letting go, for releasing inhibitions and for having fun. It is a time for fresh beginnings for those who want to shed the old and begin the new, to live up to aspirations and make much needed changes. For those who want the year ahead to be filled with excitement and adventure, where better to greet the New Year than on an exotic holiday that is filled with fun and entertainment. An exciting place to be for the celebration is Singapore, a country fast becoming one of the most stylish and interesting places in the world, due to its ability to fuse its beautiful culture with modernity. There are many ways to spend the evening of the 31st …