Santafe Theatre Festival and Other Festivals

It is an experience like no other. Take thousands of people, want-to-be theatrical groups and performers, throw them all in a mix that almost resembles a State Fair in the U.S. and you have what is called the Edinburgh Festival. A trip to Scotland would not be complete without this experience. The venue is the entire city and is beginning to spill over into neighboring suburb villages.

The Festival began in 1947 following World War II. Europe was in disarray. As a means to show the world that culture and the arts still existed, Edinburgh planned a citywide presentation of various theatre groups and small drama troupes. Thinking that there might be producers and news media present, six Scottish and 2 British troupes “crashed” the official event. The newspaper called them a “fringe” element and that title stuck. There is still an official Festival, but also an official Fringe. (Remember that you will need accommodation for festivals such as the Edinburgh festival. You can find this type of accommodation on http://www.hostivalonline.com – read more on http://hostivalonline.com/events-and-festivals/2013/02/04/edinburgh-fringe-festival/)

The Festival presentations are classics, for the most part, and very upscale and formal. This year, there was Macbeth, a concert performance sung in Italian, The Return of Ulysses presented by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Faust by the Romanian National Theatre, various ensembles and groups performing selections by Bach, orchestras, pianists, opera, soloists, and dancers. It is a stage for international culture of all types.

The Fringe presentations are much looser and are open to almost anything. The Fringe Society, an official charity of Scotland, raises over $75 million each year that goes to provide facilities and such for performers as well as audiences. There are very little rules or prescribed programs. The intent is for creativity of participants who have talent, dedication, and ambition. These include everything from street performers to small theatre groups, to musicians, and much more. We saw mimes, jugglers, living statuary, harp players, violin players, dramatists, and radically dressed performers everywhere. There was even a small circus group that performed on the grounds of the Royal Botanical Gardens. Daytime events are generally free while evening events and performances are usually charged, $5 and up.

There are some dark sides to some of the events and presentations, as there is a more prevalent attitude towards sexuality and morals. The macabre is always a source for theatrical presentation. Visitors should be fully aware of an event prior to attending.

Huge books and guides are available. The Scotland newspaper runs large special sections. Maps give details as to locations, which are all over the city, although most are concentrated in the city centre. To my understanding, there are over 5000 different events and performances spread over a four-week period. Really, there are seven distinct Festivals plus the Fringe. There may be more.

For more information, check their websites. Each begins with the name Edinburgh. Look for the International Film Festival, the Jazz & Blues Festival, the Art Festival, the Military Tattoo, the International Book Festival, the International Festival, the Fringe, and the primary one, Edinburgh Festival.

ALAN GELL, Lh.D.
Member, Texas Press Association
Member, Texas Auto Writers Association
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Renting holiday cottages in Cornwall has become the ideal, iconic British holiday, and it’s not difficult to understand why: apart from the stunning landscape, Cornish culture is a mysterious one. Enriched with its own language, heritage and folklore, it can often seem like this county is an entirely separate country. Here we investigate the most unique festivals and celebrations on show throughout the year.

‘Obby ‘Oss Festival

The hobbyhorse festival, held every May Day in Padstow, could appear to the casual onlooker as being a bit bizarre. While most cultures have their own way of celebrating spring, only Cornish folklore allows for its inhabitants to dress up like hobbyhorses one day a year! The festival, which originally began as worship to the Celtic god Epona, is still a favourite amongst tourists staying in holiday cottages in Cornwall. The celebration usually starts at the Golden Lion Inn and can last all day and well in to the night.

The Hurling of the Silver Ball

This feast, which takes place in the popular seaside town of St Ives, is one of the county’s oldest festivals and falls the first Monday after February 3rd. The feast begins when the mayor hurls a silver ball into the streets, which is chased by the people of St Ives. Traditionally, the winner was handed a solid silver coin, but these days commemorative pennies are handed out to young children. This is a fun day out for families with young children staying in the region on their holiday. Cottages in Cornwall can be secured easily and cheaply in off-peak February, so St Ives may be worth a visit.

The Furry Dance

Although tourists travel far and wide to take part in The Furry Dance, there’s a surprising lack of fur involved. Hosted in Helston, the “furry” part actually refers to the flora and it is usually celebrated around the 8th of May. The day is composed of several dances and the Hal-an-Tow pageant, which is a kind of mystery play starring Robin Hood and St George. The play is a simple tale of good vs evil, performed in many locations around the town to celebrate the coming of summer. The Furry Dance is an unmissable Cornish festival and a must see for anyone staying in holiday cottages in Cornwall in May.

Tom Bawcock’s Eve

Held in the tiny seaside village of Mousehole, Tom Bawcock’s Eve is a fisherman’s festival held on the 23rd of December. The festival is held in celebration of the legendary Tom Bawcock, who lived in the village of Mousehole. After a turbulent winter, when the sea was too stormy to fish, the people of Mousehole were close to starvation, and, with no fish to sell, poverty. Tom Bawcock is said to have braved a storm and caught enough fish for the whole town to eat. This resulted in the festival’s Star Gazy Pie – a fish pie cooked with the fish’s heads sticking straight upwards – still eaten every year.

Katie Chown is a Property Consultant for Classic Cottages. We have a selection of spectacular holiday cottages in Cornwall as well as cottages in Devon, Somerset and Dorset. Whether you’re looking for a stunning rural retreat or a luxury cottage on the coast, we have the perfect holiday home for you to fall in love with.

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Auvergne is famous for its Romanesque churches and architecture as well as its delectable cuisines, cheeses, fine tasting and sparkling wines. Apart from its interesting historical remains, Auvergne is also popular for its winter sports resorts and mountain spas that have attracted a great volume of tourists from all over the globe.

There are lots of magnificent festivals that suit every fine taste held across the region of which are surged by lots of tourists. From short film festivals to art, history and music festivals, Auvergne has definitely lots to offer all year round. Make your holiday in France a worthwhile and remarkable experience by bringing your presence to the colourful and stunning festivals in Auvergne.

1. Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, 1st to 9th February 2013

This festival is highly regarded in the world of short films., and 2013 is the 35th year it is running. It incorporates a marketplace where collectors can pick up rarities and find short films that straddle all the genre types.

This famous festival attracts over 100,000 visitors every year. It is a perfect venue to watch short films but also enjoy delving into the shorts of previous years, on one of the thirty five video terminals.

It is a big networking scene for those involved in the industry, and it is packed full of stalls, events and a large exhibition.

2. Limoges Carnival, Esplanade Champ-du-Juillet, 3rd March 2013

Carnivals are wonderful and this one in particular has quite a reputation and attracts International performers, so you may see Brazilian dancers and musicians and other fun and talented International acts. The Limoges Carnival has been running since 1989 on the first Sunday of March.

It is organised along a route of 3 kilometres, and the procession is expected to attract around 75,000 people. It culminates in the drowning of the Carnival King.

Around 1200 people are involved in providing the entertainment, with on average 10 top bands who are invited from other areas of France as well as other parts of Europe.

3. Videoformes, Clermont-Ferrand, 20th to 23rd March 2013

Celebrate video, International art video and many cultural and digital feasts at the Videoformes Festival in Clermont Ferrand. This has been running in springtime every year since 1986. You can join debates, conferences and discuss projects and ideas. There are also compeitions running for children. For those involved, it is a meeting of minds and brainstorming platform.

The festivals runs as above, however the exhibition runs from 21st March until 7th April.

4. Festival Des Buveurs D’Eau, Vic Sur Cere, 20th to 21st April 2013

This is a water festival which aims to educate people on an eco-lifestyle on one hand, but whilst having lots of fun on the other hand. It dates back to 1896 although it wasn’t active for a long time until 2011 when it was revived.

Families can enjoy water fun, picnics, artisans work, family workshops and animations.

5. Festival International Cinema et Costume Moulins – International Cinema and Costume Festival, June 2013, awaiting dates

A wonderful celebration of the importance of costume in film, covering both period and contemporary films. Costume is so central to film as we assess the characters on screen quickly and costume is an essential medium to communicate messages to us, the viewers.

Held in Allier, Moulins, this stunning festival takes place in June each year and screens around 20 films which were carefully picked for the beauty and exquisiteness of the costumes.

6. Les Europennes du Goucirct, Aurillac, early July (6, 7 & 8th in 2012)

This is perhaps one of the most popular and well attended festivals in this region of France. It is a 3-day cultural and gastronomic festival which is celebrated through a combination of live music, tasting, workshops, round table discussions, demonstrations and entertainment. This festival, which takes in Aurillac (Cantal) in July every year, features around 100 exhibitors.

In 2012 it especially celebrated beef, and in 2011 pork. There are short courses during the festival and bountiful local produces such as cheese, wines, spices, baked goods, as well as local products of other European participants.

7. Festival Country Rendez-Vous, Craponne-sur-Arzon, 26th to 28th July 2013

If you love country music, then this is the place for you this July. It features some top performers from Nashville and Austin United States, and for country music fans, you can enjoy a great diversity of music and performers, which will be played in a natural amphitheatre. Watch out for new talent as well!

8. Festival Musique Sur un Plateau, Brivadois, late July (22nd to 29th July 2012)

This is the festival for art history and music lovers. Every July, the Brivadois region, which is next to la Brioude is highlighted by a series of outstanding classical performances and concerts.

The festival promotes the history of the area, classical music and art, and the connection between them.

9. Festival du Monastier, La Vicairie, early August (3rd to 11th August 2012)

2013 is the 25th edition of this brass music festival. Enjoy an eclectic mix of music that surprisingly enough uses brass instruments! From jazz to baroque, from world music to traditional French songs.

10. Fecirctes Renaissance – Roi de l’Oiseau, 3rd weekend September (12th to 16th September 2012)

This is a colourful Renaissance festival which is held at Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire) every September, on the third weekend. The event is highlighted by the impressive re-enactment of the archery competition which took place sometime in the 16th century.

Running since 1986, this is cultural event marrying fun, beauty and expression. Join the crowd as the town celebrates the festival through demonstrations, shows and concerts for five days.

11. Francophonies in Limousin, 11 Avenue du Geacuteneral-de-Gaulle, 25th Sept.-5th Oct. 2013

Check out the creme-de-la-creme of International French theatre. The term Francophonie encompasses worldwide French speaking cultures.

Running since 1984, this festival marks its 30th birthday in 2013. The 2012 festival had an attendance of over 15,500, with a wealth of performances, debates, meetings and exhibitions.

12. Fecircte de la Chataigne (Chestnut Festival), Mourjou, October

Mourjou (Cantal) is a village with a huge population of 360 at last count, but every year in October it lets 20,000 or so visitors enjoy the Chestnut Festival. Participate in eating and drinking copious amounts of chestnuts and cider. In fact the norm is that there is 5000 litres of cider and 2 tons of chestnuts.

This fair began in 1990 when some of the younger inhabitants decided that it was time to revive the chestnut, which had experienced quite a decline since the modernisation of agriculture.

Enjoy lots of fun, other local delicacies, story telling, street music, technical demonstrations, games for the children, wine tasting and lots more.

What about other festivals in France? This site is adding on festivals organised by each region. Just click on festivals in France. Caravan Insurance Gurus also has lots of other features which will help your travel ideas and plans.

http://www.caravan-insurance-gurus.co.uk/

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The date for Holi in the year 2013 is March 27. Holi is one of the most celebrated festivals in India. It is the festival of joy and colors. Holi is marked by the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is one of those times when the social barriers lose their strength and fun flows in the air. Holi has a deep connection with Hindu way of living. There are a number of legends that are linked with this Indian festival. It is also known as Phagwah, Dolajatra, Dol Jatra or Basantotsav. Holi is of particular significance in the Braj region and the locations traditionally connected to the Lord Krishna.

Significance of Holi

Holi is an ancient festival of India that was originally named as Holika. It finds mentions in Jaimini’s Purvamimamsa Sutras and Kathak Grhya Sutras as well as Narad Purana and Bhavishya Purana. It is believed that the great king of demons HiranyaKashyap had a boon of immortality and his son Prahlada was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Prahlada, in spite of his father’s denial, continued worshiping Vishnu and finally his father decided to kill him. Prahlada was given poison but that turned into nectar in his mouth. He was trampled by elephants but even that did not affect him. When all of Huranyakashyap’s efforts to kill his son failed, he asked his sister Holika to put him on fire. She was blessed not to be affected by fire but when the fire started, she was burnt to death while Prahlada remained unaffected. This incidence is celebrated as Holika Dahan.

Holi has a definite influence on the cultures of the past as well as the modern culture. Holi is celebrated in not only India but also a number of other countries like Nepal, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago etc.. Along with that, color festivals are celebrated in the United States and some European countries with other names and occasions. A number of contemporary plays, movies, TV serials have mentions of Holi for different reasons.

Holi Celebrations

Every part of India celebrates Holi in its own way. These traditions vary from one state to other. Holi has a deep association with the childhood of Lord Krishna and that is the reason why there is so much charm of Holi in the Mathura and Vrindavan region. In the most traditional way, Holi is celebrated by Holika Dahan in the night and the game of colors in the morning. It is the most enjoyable tradition of Holi. Together, the rich and the poor, men and women enjoy throwing colors on each other. The atmosphere is filled with joy and fun.

In Maharashtra and Gujarat, pots of buttermilk are hung high in the streets. Group of men form a human pyramid to break the pot with the head while the women throw buckets of water in an effort to stop them. This tradition comes from the tales of Lord Krishna who was quite fond of butter milk. Similarly, at place called Barsana, women beat their men and dress them in female attire on the day of Holi. In Bengal, it is celebrated in the most dignified way. Here, idols of Radha and Krishna are taken out in a procession. It is also celebrated as the spring festival here. Students decorate their campuses with decorative flowers and rangolis. In Punjab, it is celebrated as the display of physical strength and prowess while in Manipur, it is celebrated for six continuous days with dances and colors. What is important here is the spirit of Holi, that remains same throughout. It is the festival that brings people closer and this is what matters the most.

Holi Issues

There are certain issues that are related with this great festival. Environmental pollution and use of synthetic colors being the top most of them. There is a concern about water pollution due to synthetic colors during Holi along with the environmental issue related to the traditional Holika Dahan which leads to deforestation. Chemically produced industrial dyes have taken thd place of natural colors which were traditionally made of turmeric, sandalwood, extract of flowers and leaves. Lack of control over the quality and content is the culprit of this problem. There are plenty of toxic substances like lead oxide and copper sulphate which are widely being used for the making of these colors. Some social organizations like the Society for Child Development are running awareness programs on these issues.

Holi 2013

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One of the best attractions you can see in a country is the different festivals that they celebrate. Festivals have become a global phenomenon for the sole reason that it boost the tourism industry of that specific country. In different countries like Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines festivals are being celebrated in every part or location in such country. In the Philippines alone every province celebrate some sort of Festival to celebrate the life of a Saint or to celebrate the province or city itself. For every traveler going to such places during festival season can be both exciting and daunting. This is because of the fact that festivals showcases the different specialties of the locality, there are lots of activities to do or to try. It is a daunting task because of the mere fact that you have to really plan your logistics otherwise you might just waste your time looking for your next destination. The following are some general tips which might come in handy when you visit a certain place during the festival season.

1. Know the Schedule – in every festival there are lots of activities sometimes it happens in different locations, sometimes it happens simultaneously at the same location. For you to be able to go to the activities that you want to experience it would be best if you know the schedule. Secure the schedule online or from the local tourism office.

2. Watching the Parade? Know the Routes - now if you are planning to watch a festival parade you have to know the routes the parade is taking. This way you will be able to plan and locate the best spot on where you could position yourself and watch the parade and if you are in a good location you might even have the chance to snap a great photo or two.

3. Know the Route - OK aside from knowing the parade route, you must also know the different routes going from one festival activity to another. You can also use your knowledge of the different routes in your locality to efficiently travel from the festival location to your hotel. Now if you do not have a local map it is a good idea to utilize Google maps as it gives you accurate and comprehensive data regarding your current location.

When traveling and joining festival events, you have to always remember that you are there to enjoy and have fun and not be bothered by different problems such as getting lost on your way to a specific destination. So as a prerequisite for you to enjoy the festival you have to also be prepared and must plan ahead.

One of the best festival you can visit is in Baguio City, the Panagbenga 2013

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