cElebraTions in thE worLd...

Fasching-Bavaria’s version of carnival kicked off today with the Fasching parade. Like its Brazilian counterpart, it’s filled with high spirits, more than 100 balls (from the classical evening dress to the colorful costume), and enough alcohol to fuel a mini-Octoberfest. Unlike it’s Brazilian counterparts, you see much less sunshine, tanned skin, and Samba dancing. Many events lead up to “Mad Munich” on Feb. 22nd – 23rd, and Shrove Tuesday on Feb. 24th. During each of these events, the Viktualienmarkt becomes party central – with thousands of people, and stages with live music litter the Altstadt – including Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz, and Karlsplatz. It is the largest party in Munich after the Octoberfest. For those of you new to Munich…enjoy the party.

Obon is celebrated from the 13th to the 15th day of the 7th month of the year, which is July according to the solar calendar. However, since the 7th month of the year roughly coincides with August rather than July according to the formerly used lunar calendar, Obon is still celebrated in mid August in many regions of Japan, while it is celebrated in mid July in other regions.

The Obon week in mid August is one of Japan's three major holiday seasons, accompanied by intensive domestic and international travel activities and increased accommodation rates. http://www.japan-
 guide.com/e/e2286.html
 

Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday in English) in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a Carnival celebration well-known throughout the world.The New Orleans Carnival season, with roots in preparing for the start of the Christian season of Lent, starts after Twelfth Night, on Epiphany (January 6). It is a season of parades, balls (some of them masquerade balls), and king cake parties. It has traditionally been part of the winter social season; at one time "coming out" parties for young women at débutante balls were timed for this season.Celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras in French), the day before Ash Wednesday. Usually there is one major parade each day (weather permitting); many days have several large parades. The largest and most elaborate parades take place the last five days of the season. In the final week of Carnival, many events large and small occur throughout New Orleans and surrounding communities.The parades in New Orleans are organized by Carnival krewes. Krewe float riders toss throws to the crowds; the most common throws are strings of plastic colorful beads, doubloons (aluminum or wooden dollar-sized coins usually impressed with a krewe logo), decorated plastic throw cups, and small inexpensive toys. Major krewes follow the same parade schedule and route each year. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Mardi_Gras

Songkran Festival is the traditional Thai New Year celebrated on April 13th. Families and friends gather to celebrate by visiting temples, sprinkling water on Buddha images in reverence, and sprinkling water on each other's hands as an act of wishing good luck. In recent years, the tradition of sprinkling water has been interpreted by youngsters as a great excuse for a water fight, and it is not uncommon to have buckets and containers of water thrown at you by teams of merry makers in the backs of trucks as you make your way down the street - particularly in major tourist areas like Patong. http://www.phuket.com/festival/songkran.htm

Inti raymi-sands of people converge on Cuzco from other parts of the nation, South America and the world for a week long celebration marking the beginning of a new year, the Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun. Every day has its events, from daytime expositions, street fairs, and people milling and dancing in the streets. In the evenings, live music from the best of Peruvian musical groups draws the crowds to the Plaza de Armas for free concerts. During the preceding year, in preparation for Inti Raymi, hundreds of actors are chosen to represent historical figures. Being selected to portray the Sapa Inca or his wife, Mama Occla, is a great honor. http://gosouthamerica.about.com/od/perartandculture/a/IntiRaymi.htm