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Each person spends most of his life at work, so he just needs a boost of positive energy and good rest. In many countries, the state has taken care that people have special days in the year. Not just official events at which a well-deserved weekend is given, but truly fun, intriguing and amazing holidays that unite all the people and inspire with the national idea.
Many countries have colorful festivals that may be incomprehensible to other nationalities, but nevertheless attract a significant number of fans. We recommend such interesting events to tourists who are going to visit this or that place. Once in a grandiose and unusual show, you will get incomparable emotions for a lifetime – and this is even better than a few stamped photos on Instagram.
So, let’s fast forward to the world festivities and highlight the TOP 10 most exciting mass events.
10 Cooperschild Cheese Race | Great Britain
Britain has more than once distinguished itself for its unusual holidays and events. The “Cheese Race”, which is held on the last Monday of spring, is considered a dangerous and truly gambling day. Many participants gather on a steep hill, where they are given large heads of cheese weighing about 500 g (and in older times they could reach 18 kilos!). Further, on a signal, people launch their head of cheese and must catch up with it on the run and catch it.
In a dangerous pursuit, some active runners can get severe injuries of the musculoskeletal system, so an ambulance team is always on duty at the event.
9. Holi | India
This unusual holiday covers many countries of the world – after all, what person would not like to spend the day in bright colors and incendiary emotions? Holi is traditionally celebrated after the March full moon (for example, in Nepal and India). In just a few years, the holiday was transferred to other European countries as a way of welcoming spring.
Preparations are being made for the event. Bonfires are lit on the streets during the full moon, which are designed to cleanse the environment from negative vibrations and unclean spirits. Bonfires are a symbol of the destruction of the god Holiki, who symbolizes the evil inclination. On the morning after the “burning” of Holiki, people go out into the street and throw multi-colored powder at each other, douse themselves with water, literally forming art on the body of another person. All this is accompanied by stormy singing and dancing, general fun. What is remarkable for India, caste stratifications are also erased on this day.
8. La Tomatina | Spain
Eccentric Spain shows how to have fun. On the day of Tomatina, which is celebrated annually in the city of Bunol, people from different parts of the world gather, that is, the event can be considered international.
The purpose of the festival is to shower other people with juicy and fragrant tomatoes. A real tomato epic is unfolding on the streets, and the ripe pulp fills the streets, the nearest cars and cafes, and houses. It was precisely because of the scale and specificity of the holiday that the authorities imposed restrictions: it lasts 1 hour, mutilations and fights are prohibited against the background of “peaceful” shelling of tomatoes, no other objects except tomatoes participate in the massacre. By the way, the event is sponsored by the local authorities, supplying more than 100 tons of ripe vegetables for free for the holiday.
7. Feast of the Naked | Japan
It would seem that such a very frivolous and eccentric holiday can only be born in modern society. However, it has been celebrated since 767. In a certain temple, men aged 23-43 gather, wearing only loincloths. The number of participants reaches 3 thousand. The purpose of the event is to attract success and good luck, and naked men act as generators – if you touch them, then all the bad will go away, and the good will come.
Participants of the Hadaka Matsuri leave the temple and organize a solemn procession through the streets of the city, where people try to touch them.
Interestingly, the event is held in February, so the courage to participate does not take. And some are quite helped by sake, taken “for courage”.
6. Citron | France
A real citrus day is held on the Cote d’Azur, attracting tourists from all over the world. On the eve, the city of Menton is decorated with various balls, lanterns and other compositions made from citrus fruits (limes, oranges, grapefruits, sweeties, lemons, etc.). As a rule, several hundred participants come to the holiday, which makes it large-scale, bright and very cheerful.
In addition to the scenery, interesting concerts, various amateur performances and, of course, eating mouth-watering citrus fruits to strengthen the immune system await people.
5. Herring Day | Russia
Surprisingly, the holiday of this tasty and popular fish is not held somewhere in Norway, but in Russia (Kaliningrad). The festival is celebrated annually and attracts people from different parts of Russia, where for some reason it has not yet gained popularity. On the second Saturday of April, a bright procession is organized through the local streets. Spontaneous local cuisines and restaurants are popping up all around, where culinary specialists offer various fish treats for every taste and budget. In the evening, well-fed and satisfied citizens will enjoy a themed gala concert.
4. Day of drunkards | Mexico
A rather young holiday, since the tradition of celebrating it appeared only in 2005 at the suggestion of local Internet bloggers. The community felt that it was not worth discrediting drinkers – they also deserve a separate holiday in their mass character, where everything will be allowed and allowed. The official authorities, of course, have nothing to do with the event, at which the city on May 20 turns into a total binge and mass disgusting. However, gradually the holiday captivates more and more followers, despite specific and sometimes sad consequences.
3. Redhead Day | Holland
The famous world holiday, where every red-haired person can feel “in his element.” The event annually brings together more than 5 thousand red-haired people from several dozen countries. At the end of the festival, a commemorative book-photo album is released, which contains a lot of wonderful and funny pictures of redheads. The local government supports and sponsors the holiday, held on September 1-2, in order to unite fellow citizens and, of course, replenish the budget through mass tourism.
Interestingly, the tradition was born only in the 21st century, when a local artist gave a cry that he was looking for redheads to create a portrait shot. More than a hundred people responded to the announcement, which over the years has transformed into a major holiday. Those wishing to attend the event will enjoy mass picnics, photography, fashion shows, gala concerts and master classes.
2. Monkey Banquet | Thailand
The exoticism of the resort country is manifested even in its events. For tourists, one of the brightest and most unusual experiences will be a celebration organized for monkeys. In the small town of Lopburi, locals prepare a feast for primates. On average, they count on several hundred “participants”, but a generous table attracts a much larger number of tailed guests. Monkeys are offered exotic fruits and vegetables, cereals, various local sweets and desserts. You can even drink the whole thing with delicious soda. According to the data, about 2 tons of goodies are allocated for the celebration. The desired end of the event is the fact that well-fed and arrogant primates begin to throw leftover food at each other and at the audience, which only pleases the people.
1. San Fermin | Spain
Once again, Spain surprises us with a crazy event that runs from 6 to 14 July. Dedicated to the martyr Saint Fermin.
During the festival period, the locals of the city of Pamplona and numerous tourists gather every morning (at about 8 o’clock) to look at the encierro with wild bulls. Angry animals are released on the participants of the tournament, who must drape from them with all their urine to a certain safe area. The distance of such a race is 875 meters. The event is really crazy, as participants can get severely injured from the horns of an angry bull. Despite the danger, the festival is held very massively and successfully, accompanied by alcoholic libation and music.
Yes, tourists really have something to visit – such days are remembered for a long time, especially if you managed to be not only an obedient spectator, but also an active participant in the folly. It is important to soberly assess your chances and not fall into the general chaos that often accompanies such events.