A Year of Fesitvals

Executive summary by darmansjah

Mark your calendars! From turning into a shade of rainbow in India to staying up all night in Russia, dive into the memorable celebrations taking place around the world in 2012

Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival Harbin, china

As birds flly south in the winter, tourists flock to Harbin in northeast China to brave sub-zero temperatures and participate in one of the world’s largest ice and snow festivals. Ice structures designed by local talents and sculpted by laser technology sprout up along the Songhua River in December, some as large as buildings, such as the icy reproduction of Niagara Falls in 2007’s festival. As spectacular as it is during the day, it is at night when the sculpture grounds transform into something magical. Bright, multi-colored lights frozen in the middle of the ice blocks glow from within the works of art and illuminate the giant sculptures. Launched in 1963. Harbin’s claim to fame officially begins only on 5 January, though exhibits start coming up in late December and remain standing until they disappear naturally as the temperatures rises in February.

The 28^th Harbin International ice & Snow Festival starts on 5 January (isharbin.com)

Both china southern airlines (csair.com) and air chine (airchina.com) fly from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to Harbin Taiping International Airport with one stopover.

Shangri-La Hotel, Harbin is one of the finest hotels in the city and the ice Festival is a convenient short taxi ride away (from US$250; shanri-l.com).

Abu Simbel Sun Festival – Aswan, Egypt

Used as a secret headquarters for James Bond’s M16, depicted as part of the landscape of Coruscant, a Star Wars planet, and blown up in Team America: World Police, the Abu Simbel Temple is truly an architectural marvel that piques the imagination like few other places in the world. Originally carved into the side of a sandstone mountain by the bank of the River Nile,  the temple built by Ramses II over 3,000 years ago (but discovered only in 1813) opens its doors only twice a year, on the anniversaries of the great ruler’s birthday and coronation. On these two days, crowds gather at sunrise before the rarely opened doors of the temple and watch as the mornings sun creeps in through the length of the inner temple cave and light up the seated statues of Ramses himself, and the sun gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty. Only the statue of Ptah, the god of darkness, remains in the shadows.

The Abu Simbel Festival is celebrated every year on 22 February and 22 october.

Police-led convoys of coaches and mini-buses carrying tourists depart from Aswan daily. A seat can be booked through a hotel or the Aswan tourist office. Alternatively, take a flight from Cairo, Luxor, or Aswan to Abu Simbel airport and take a shuttle to the temple site.

Stay overnight to beat the crowds and see the famous Light and Sound show. The hotel closest to the temple site is Seti Abu simbel Lake Resort, a five-start hotel located in a beautiful setting as its name suggests (from US$300; setifirst.com).

Holi Festival – Mumbai, India

Mumbai is a potpourri of many cultures and communities. A population of more than 19 million gives this city an endless vibrancy. There is seemingly always a celebration taking place, giving the city its ‘Land of Festivals’ moniker. In March, the Mumbaikars celebrate Holi Festival, or Festival of Colours. 

During this celebration of spring, expect splashes of coloured water and powder by revelers on the street, jubilant dances and music. In the evening, bonfires are lit and people gather around yet more rounds of dancing. A quieter side of this celebration sees celebrants offering sweets and gifts to each other, and people hanging potful of buttermilk to worship Lord Krishna.

Holi Festival takes place on 8 March.

India Airways (airindia.in) flies direct from Singapore to Chattrapathi shivaji International Airport, while Malysia Airlines (malaysiaairlines.com) flies from Kuala Lumpur.

ITC Grand Central is located at the vibrant centre of Mumbai. Its 242 luxurious rooms and suites offer nothing less than ultimate comfort and world class service (from US$155; starwoodhotels.com).

April –Paro Tshechu-Paro, Bhutan

 

The Paro Tshechu Festival is one of the most important events in Bhutan and is held from the 11^th to the 15^th of the second month in the Buthanese calendar. Over these five days, the 17^th century Paro Dzong monastic fortress sees hordes of traditionally dressed Bhutanesse and tourists journey to its grounds for the festival. Dances make up the majority of this deeply symbolic Buddhist festival. Performed by masked dancers dressed in elaborate costumes, these are said to be an act of meditation and have been unchanged fro over 1,000 years. Folksongs and clowning are mixed with the dances and generous amounts of Tibetan butter tea and barley alcohol help to foster a festive mood. As dawn break on the final day, a large religious picture (thongdrel) is unfurled. A crucial part of the festival, it is believed that anyone who sets his eyes on the 350 year old tapestry will be cleansed of his sins.

Paro Tshechu is held from 2-6 April.

Independent travel to Bhutan is not permitted. Booking through a travel agent is a must. The easiest route from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur is to catch a flight to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. From there, flights to Paro Airport via Bhutans national carrier Druk Air (drukair.com.bt) depart daily.

Uma Paro is a luxury hotel that operates as a fully licensed travel agency and can arrange flights and transportation in Paro for guests as well as visas if required (from US$290; uma.paro.com.bz).

MAY-White Nights Festival-St.Petersburg,Russia

For a suitably poetic period of 80 days lasting from May to July, St Petersburg emerges from months of cold darkness and experiences the white nights, a phenomenon that blesses the city with bright skies even during the night. For most St Petersburges, this is a source of much joy and a signal for them to take full advantage of the round the clock daylight. In fact,  it is rather common for locals to stay up all night with no other reason than to bask in the light. The stars of the White Nights Festival is an international arts event that sees a series of ballets, operas, and concerts performed for the public at famous venues like the theatre in the Hermitage and the Mariinsky during this time. The White Nights celebration culminates in the “Scarlet Sails’, a massive city-side party that attracts a crowd numbering above million.

 The White Nights Festival takes place from 25May-15July.

Emirates (emirates.com), and KLM (klm.com) fly from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport with a single stopover.

Considered by many to be the ideal place to stay when in St Petersbur, Grand Hotel is not just a place of lodging but a landmark of the city.  The impressive looking and luxurious 130-year-old establishment has played host to bevy of musical icons like Tchaikovsky and Pavarotti (from US$345; grandhoteleurope.com)

JUNE-Bali “Arts Festival Bali, Indonesia

Why Go-Upholding the adage “tourism shoud be for Bali instead of Bali for tourism”, Balinese strive to conserve the cultural aspects of the island, forming the collective idea of cultural tourism instead of mere commercial benefits. Its long haul cultural policy aims to nurture and preserve traditional arts and crafts, paving new paths for schools of dance an arts.

Every June, Bali comes to life as Bali Arts Festival is celebrated around the island throughout the month. The plethora of events include classical dances such as ‘legong’,’ kecak’ and’ baris’, contemporary dances, handicraft exhibitions, culinary contests and other cultural-related activities. A number of the performances are held at its largest amphitheater, which is able to hold up to 6,000 spectators.

The Bali Arts Festival last throughout the month of June

AirAsia (airasia.com) flies from Singapore Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Denpasar International Airport.

Nikko Bali Resort & Spa is a five star resort located atop Nusa Dua and overlooking the Indian Ocean. Awarded a prestigious certification of ‘Eco Hotel’ this hotel manages both luxury and environmental awareness remarkably well (from US$165; nikkobali.com).

JULY-Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival-Edirne, Turkey

Once a year, in the town of Edirne in northwest Turkey, the most masculine of competitions takes place in a grassy field. In each round, two men drenched in olive oil square up, facing each other. Naked above the waist, wrestlers, or Pehlivan, wear heavy leather trousers called kispet that reach just above the knee. The oil makes it tricky to get a grip on each other but using a combination of brute force and balance, they have to pin their opponent down or lift them up for the win.

Krikpinar is not just a wrestling contest but a celebration of tradition and cultural identity. The history of the competition goes all the way back to the  14^th century and holds the Guinness World Record for the longest running sports competition. It is also a big tourism draw for the city of Edirne, which host well known musicians in the week of the competition.

The 651^st Krikpinar Oil Wrestling Festival will be held between 2-8 July.

The easiest way to get to Edrine is by taking a two and a half hour bus ride from istanbul’s main bus t erminal. From there, a shuttle brings you the city centre where you can flag a cab to the festival ground.

The charming Efe-Hotel offers clean, comfortable rooms with satellite television and complementary wireless internet. An English pub serves local as well as imported drinks and is a good place to enjoy live music (fromUS$80; efehotel.com).

La Tomatina-Valencia,Spain

 August-Why Go? Much acclaimed as the ‘World’s Biggest Food Fight’, La Tomatina brings the town of Bunol, near Valencia City, to life every August as thousands of visitors flock in for a real tomato frenzy. A week-long celebration before the food fight features music, street parties, parades, extensive fireworks and numerous food stalls hawking traditional Spanish food. For culinary enthusiasts, come on the day before La Tomatina for a paella-cooking contest, held across the town.

successfully climbs a two-storey greased-up wooden pole and reaches for the coveted ham on top. The sounds of water canons firing indicates the start of this food fight, and beginning from Plaza del Pablo, tomatoes are thrown at every single person in all directions, and from then on, it is every man for himself.

La Tomatina take place on the morning 0f 29 August (lomatina.es).

Singapore Airlines offer flights from Singapore Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Valencia Airport.

A stone’s throw away from the quaint Old Town and the shopping district of Valencia, Hotel Westin Valencia’s prime location and its jaw-dropping façade is a dream accommodation (from US$210; starwoodhotels.com/westin).

September-Andong Mask Dance Festival-andong, Korea

Why go – First held in hahoe village in Andong in 1997, the Mask Dance Festival is staged every year for two weekends and the days between them. Amidst a beautiful mountainous backdrop, Korean Mask dances are performed for the crowds over these ten days and interspersed with dance acts from other countries. Audience participations is frequently encouraged and several acts are centred around impromptu spectator involvement, often inciting laughs and general merriment. It is not just about dances though as the festival ground is absolutely abuzz with food, games and arts and craft-all attached with cultural significance. To engage international visitors and provide an ambience for everyone to mingle, the festivals program includes hands-on activities like mask dance competitions and lessons.

The Andong Mask Dance Festival is held from 28 September to 7 October (maskdance.com).

The most convenient way to get to Andong is by flying to incheon international airport and taking a direct limousine bus to Andong alternatively, from Incheon International Airport, you can take a bus to the East Seoul bus terminal and catch a bus from there to the Andong bus terminal. From Andong, a bus to Hahoe Village takes about 50 minutes.

Hotel Gallery is an inexpensive accommodation option in Andong offering big and tastefully decorated rooms (from US$45; hotelgallery.co.kr).

Naga Fireball Festival – October – Mekong River, Thailand

Why go – On the night of the last full moon in October, crowds gather along the Mekong river in eager anticipation of a strange spectacle that lasts up to three days. Orbs coloured red and pink rise vertically from the river 50 metres high before vanishing without smoke or noise. Scientists have attempted to solve the mystery behind the fireballs-one theory is the orbs are the result of the ignition of methane gas-but have yet to come up with a sound explanation. The local people believe the source of the fireballs is the Naga, an enigmatic serpentine creature that dwells underwater. Miracle or hoax, the festival brings a joyous mood and prompts a full-blown celebration, with food stalls, exhibitions, bazaars, boat races, and light shows to keep you entertained.

The naga fireball festival lasts from 29-30 October.

The town of Phon Phisai is a good place to experience the festival. To get here, take a bus from the Nong Khai bus terminal. Shuttle buses service the route between Nong Khai and the closest airport in Udon Thani. Where Thai Airways (thaiairways.com) and AirAsia operate flights from Bangkok.

Big Snake offers comfortable rooms with air-conditioning and a swimming pool on its premises (f rom US$18; bigsnakeguesthousephonphisai.blogspot.com.

November – Bon Om Tuk – Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Why go – The Tonle Sap is a source of life for many Cambodians. For most of the year, the Tonle Sap flows into the Mekong River. However, when the rain arrives in June, the Mekong Rivers starts to fill and rise, causing the flow change in direction. The flow reverts I November when the level of the Mekong drops. This marks the start of the fishing season in Cambodia and a time for festivities. The main event of the three-day Bon Om Tuk festival is the boat race that takes place on the Mekong. This race feature traditional boats, the biggest measure over a hundred feet and require a crew of up to 80 men. The climax of the race is on the last day, when all teams compete at the same time and frantically paddle their way to the finishing line in a race of epic proportions.

Bon Om tuk is held from 27-29 November.

Jestar Airways and SilkAir fly direct from Singapore Changi Airport. AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh.

Located on the riverside, Hotel Cambodiana is the perfect place to stay if you are here for the festival. Booking in advance is recommended as it could be looked fully close to the festival period (from US$90; hotelcambodiana.com.kh).

 

DECEMBER – CHRISTMAS MARKETS – NUREMBERG, GERMANY

WHY GO – About a month before Christmas, the Christmas Markets in Nuremberg opens at Nuremberg Main Market Square, attracting more than two million visitors each year from all over the world. This famous Christmas market in Germany will over 180 stalls selling everything from Nuremburg spicy gingerbread, fruit loaves, and mulled wine to Christmas ornaments and arts and crafts products. Remember to pick up a unique souvenir-Nuremberg Plum People (figurines made of prunes)-which many claims to resemble a chimney sweep. The market stays open till late at weekends, but do bear in mind that fifth Sunday before Christmas is “Totensonntag” remembrance Day in Germany, so most of the stalls in the Christmas markets may not open.

The market will be open from 25 November-24 December (christkindlesmarkt.de).

Singapore Airlines flies from Singapore Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Nuremberg Airport.

Le Meridien Grand Nuremberg is accessible to most historical sights within walking distance. Its classic grand hotel setting is as impressive as its contemporary amenities (from US$190; starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien).