The festival of Colours
Holi is an ancient Hindu festival that originated in India and
Nepal and is now celebrated in many places around the world.
Holi has a friendly and inclusive spirit, so non-Hindus are
often welcomed to join the celebrations.
Holi marks the beginning of spring and a celebration of good
winning over evil. The date changes between the end of
February and the middle of March. The festivities start on
the night before Holi, which is called Holika Dahan. In
ancient stories, the god Vishna destroyed a powerful evil
being, called Holika, through fire. People start collecting
wood several days before so that they can build bonfires,
and on Holika Dahan they meet around them to sing, dance
and do other traditional activities.
The next day, called Rangwali Holi everyone goes
outside and throws coloured powders and water at each
other. Some people use water guns and water balloons. There
is music and drumming, and people run and laugh in the
streets and parks. After a few hours everyone is wet and
covered in a rainbow of different colours. In the evening
people put on clean clothes and go and visit their friends and
family. It is also a time to forgive people, make peace and
repair broken relationships, as well as playing and having fun.
The Sky Is Your Canvas
Since 1994, this annual kite festival held in Zandvlei Nature
Reserve raises awareness and funds for Cape Mental Health.
With each kite rising high, dreams take flight, painting the
heavens with vibrant proof of hope and imagination. On Cape
Town Kite Festival flying kites become colourful expressing
of freedom, creativity, and joy. Let your kite dance among the
clouds, feel the tug of the string and explore your limitless
spirit.
Age is no barrier to dreaming, and Cape Mental Health is
inspiring children and youth and the young at heart to soar
high by flying kites, raising awareness for mental health this
October! It promises fun for the whole family with impressive
kite displays, kite-making workshops, live music and local
vendors serving up delicious food. Expect to see kites in
every shape, size and colour imaginable.
Join kite enthusiasts from all around the globe this October
and fly a kite in support of the 29th annual Cape Town Kite
Festival!
 A Carnical of Ice
Winterlude was created in 1979 to celebrate Canada's unique
northern culture and climate. Organizers were inspired by
their ancestors who gathered to enjoy each other’s company
during the long winter months. On average, 600,000
visitors take part in the festivities. Year after year,
Winterlude runs smoothly thanks to the precious help of 800
volunteers.
Since then, Winterlude is held in Ottawa, Ontario and
Gatineau, Quebec every year in February. The event lasts for
three weekends. It offers a rich and professional program,
like the famous Bed Race and the Waiters and Waitresses on
Ice Challenge. There’s also Trotting on the Rideau, a horse
race on the Rideau Canal. On the canal you can buy lots of
delicious treats: beavertails, maple taffy and hot chocolate.
Jacques-Cartier Park changes into the Snowflake Kingdom
with snow slides and sculptures. There you can find the Ice
Hog family, the official mascots of Winterlude. In the Crystal
Garden, in Confederation Park varied ice sculptors carve
beautiful sculptures out of ice and musical concerts are held
with Canadian DJ’s and bands.
Kawhia Maori Food Festival
This New Zealand food festival has become a day for
renewing ties with whanau and friends and reconnecting with
the land and sea, and it is a chance to join the Māori
community for an open and friendly experience.
It is also helping to continue the traditional ways of collecting
and cooking food. You'll be greeted by a huge array of
delicious, mouth-watering and tasty Māori food, both
traditional and modern, like wild pork, kebabs, mountain
oysters, mussels, etc. Visitors can sample shark liver sausages
and mutton bird as well as old favourites, paua, hangi and
fresh tuna.
You are entertained by cultural activities, as well: traditional
and contemporary kapahaka performances, ta moko (tattoo)
demonstrations and music. Māori artists will display jewelry,
garden arts, clothing, rock and wood sculptures, carving and
weaving.
 Bonfive night

One fascinating English festival is Bonfive night, also known

as Guy Fawkes Night, celebrated on the 5th of November.
Commemorating the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, it
involves spectacular firework displays, bonfives and the
burning of effigies, traditionally that of Guy Fawkes, with are
created by children from old clothes, newspapers and a mask.
Families gather for outdoor festivities and the night is steeped
in history and tradition. The atmosphere is filled with the
warmth of bonfives and the dazzling colours of fireworks,
making it a unique and memorable celebration across the
United Kingdom.