Festivals are one of the most popular ways to experience different cultures around the world. Every destination has it's own unique festival, with visitors traveling from near and far for film festivals, music festivals, food, and more. Each of these festivals has its own history, from brand new music festivals to traditions that have been going on generations.
There's more than one reason to celebrate so let's go on a journey and experience a different side of international cultures through their festivals. See how the world celebrates the arts, seasons, music, food, anniversaries, fashion or what makes their region unique. Each episode explores 4 international festivals and ends with a segment about etiquette and how to get the best out of any festival.
The Songkran Water Festival or simply Songkran, is Thai New Year's celebration. Songkran comes from a Sanskrit word which means "to pass" or "to move into." It is a national holiday and the festival starts every 13th of April and usually ends on the 15th. In some areas in Thailand, the festival begins a few days earlier and would last for a whole week. Songkran also marks the start of summer and the beginning of the new solar year.
Art Basel is a yearly international art fair held in Basel, Miami Beach, and Hong Kong. It usually showcases modern and contemporary artwork by both established and developing artists. Each art fair last for 3-4 days. Art Basel Hong Kong is scheduled on March, Art Basel in Basel on June, and Art Basel in Miami on December.
The Venice Carnival is an annual festival held in Venice, Italy. It usually begins about two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. Just like other carnivals in the world, The Venice Carnival is a pre-lenten season festival, where meat, fatty, and sugary foods are not allowed, so the word "Carnival" came from the Latin words that meant "farewell to meat."
Dia de Muertos or Day of the Dead is a tradition of honoring the dead originating from Mexico. Dia de Muertos is celebrated every November 1st and 2nd but sometimes, people start the party on the night of October 31st. Although other Catholic nations call November 1 All Saints' Day and November 2 All Souls' Day and commemorate these two days more solemnly, the Mexicans see things differently.
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