Cuba, Havana

Eight days on the grand island of the Caribbean during the 19th Havana International Book Fair where dozens of countries and scores of publishers exhibit their wares. Be a special guest at the Havana International Book Fair. Visit Cuban libraries, meet Cuban authors, converse with members of writers and cultural associations, tour museums, schools and intellectual institutions all involved in the written word. This year's Book Fair theme is To Read is to Grow. The country ...

Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar

The Nadaam festival, or eriyn gurvan nadaam, is the biggest festival of the year for Mongolians. Usually occuring in July, it runs for three days in all parts of the country and highlights the greatest athletes in horse racing, archery, and wrestling: Mongolia's most popular sports. Women participate in all but the wrestling category. The word Nadaam means game or competition in Mongolian. Competitions take place days on the first two and merry-making is reserved ...

Poland, Bukowina Tatrzańska

Guinea-Bissau, Bissau

The Guinea-Bissau Carnival is a cultural extravaganza that explodes onto the streets of the capital Bissau during February when the weather is also at its most pleasant. The carnival takes place over the four days before Lent, is like no other. Although traditionally a Christian celebration, less than 10% of Bissau Guineans call themselves Catholic; the rest worship either Allah or the spirits of the islands and forests. Today's carnival, which has been going for as ...

United Kingdom, Leeds, Quarry Hill

Quarry Hill Festival is a day of free performances, workshops, classes and behind-the-scenes insights from some of Leeds’ leading cultural organisations all based on and around the Quarry Hill area of the city. For one day only we take you behind the scenes of our venues and workshops and invite you to take part in a whole range of activities. Places for some events are limited so we suggest you book on-line in advance, using the ...

Ethiopia, Lalibela

Christmas, called Lidet, is not the primary religious and secular festival that it has become in Western countries. Falling on 7 January (29th December Ethiopian calendar), it is celebrated after 43 days fasting known as Advent, with a spectacular procession, which begins at 6 a.m. and lasts until 9 a.m. After the mass service, people go home to break the fast with the meat of chicken or lamb or beef accompanied with injera, a pancake ...

Poland, Tannenberg

People in Poland celebrate the historical reconstruction of the Grunwald Battle every year at the second weekend in July. It attracts about 70 thousands of visitors from far and near. The Battle of Grunwald took place on 15 July 1410 with the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, led by the king Jogaila (Władysław II Jagiełło), ranged against the Knights of the Teutonic Order, led by the Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen. A trip ...

Mexico, Mazatlán

The second-largest city in Sinaloa state (after the capital, Culiacan), Mazatlan boasts one of the largest carnival celebrations in Mexico. It’s also one of the oldest, and has been celebrated in more or less its present form for more than a hundred years. Less wanton than Rio’s and more sedate than that of New Orleans or Veracruz, it is nonetheless a spectacular affair that captures the seaside city and holds it hostage for five days ...

United Kingdom, London

Second only to Rio de Janeiro, Notting Hill Carnival is one of the world\'s greatest street festivals. A world-class example of diversity that celebrates ethnic diversity and freedom through music, movement and masquerade making this uniquely cosmopolitan part of London come alive in a vibrant kaleidoscope of colour, sound and aroma. More than a million visitors can be expected to watch the thousands of artists perform over the two-day August bank holiday. The weekend is the ...

United States of America, Washington, District Columbia

The two week Smithsonian Folklife Festival takes place at the beginning of July each year. Over a million visitors flock to the National Mall, which is filled with music, entertainement, crafts and food. The Independence Day festivities of the 4th of July always fall during this festival period, bringing a real vibrancy to the city. The Festival is a research-based educational 'museum without walls' devoted to grassroots cultural heritage and each year's event focus on different ...