World heritage guardians UNESCO has withdrawn a Belgian festival from one of its protection lists over the presence of “racist and anti-Semitic” floats. The annual Aalst carnival was removed from the UN body’s schedule of intangible cultural heritage, which seeks to protect non-physical patrimony such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festivals. […] Read more
Huddersfield contemporary music festival’s latest programme features “subtle, low-key innovations from many of modern music’s most daring artists” states its artistic director Graham McKenzie. There are a few well-known names dotted through the 10 days of concerts, installations and talks, but even the most clued-up followers of what is happening in the broad church of […] Read more
The rituals associated with the Chhath festival have begun from today. Chhath is a festival mainly dedicated to the Sun God. It is a cultural and religious festival that indicates to the human civilization and an occasion for expressing gratitude to nature. The sun is especially worshiped amidst various rituals and by making different kinds […] Read more
Diwali “Festival of the Lights” will be celebrated in a free family event on the Bankhead Plaza on Sunday, October 20. The event is a joint project of the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center and the Youth and Education Hindu Cultural Community Center in Livermore. An ancient Hindu festival in Nepal and India, Diwali, the […] Read more
Foods, fashion parades, music, dance and a Dandy’s Got Talent show highlight the second annual Unity in Diversity Festival. Set at the Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre and the neighbouring Dandenong Market, the free family-fun festival brings a wealth of locally-based cultural arts and experiences. The attractions include 25 homemade craft and food artisans as […] Read more
There are only three months left in 2019, but the calendar still has plenty of festivals and fairs to enjoy. From film and dance presentations to book releases and DJ sets, entertainment and cultural enrichment opportunities abound. Here are five big ones coming up in what remains of the year. 2019 Christmas Ornament Fair Now […] Read more
The Rugby World Cup opened with children singing while a brief history of rugby union was projected behind them onto the slopes of a replica of Mt Fuji erected in the middle of the pitch. Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup at the Tokyo Stadium. Photo: AFP […] Read more
Navratri, or the nine nights, is the Indian festival of nine holy nights which celebrates the victory of the goddess Shakti over evil. The days fall on the nine auspicious days as per the lunar calendar of Hinduism. The festival is celebrated with an ardent fervour which is rare on any other festival of the […] Read more
‘We are going to travel to the moon this evening,” proclaims Jarvis Cocker as he walks through the crowd while a recording of the Apollo 11 launch countdown plays. Whooshes and whirrs then emanate from the stage as he performs a rare outing of the 1992 Pulp B-side Space. Located at Jodrell Bank Observatory, Bluedot […] Read more
By Sonia Elks LONDON, June 28 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – As anxieties about climate change mount, a growing number of festivals are boosting their eco-credentials with initiatives tackling everything from plastic waste and abandoned tents to low carbon transport and vegetarianism. Glastonbury – the world’s largest greenfield festival which opened in southwest England on Wednesday […] Read more
