ONAM FESTIVAL
The highlight is the strictly vegetarian banquet to honour King Mahabali called Ona Sadya, which is served on the main Onam day.
ONAM FESTIVAL
August 28, Kerala, India
Ten days before Onam, people start creating their floral mats in front of their houses. Believing that spirit of King Mahabali is visiting Kerala at the time of Onam, people celebrate and dance to ensure the king that his people are happy. The highlight is the strictly vegetarian banquet to honour King Mahabali called Ona Sadya, which is served on the main Onam day. A nine-course, 11-dish feast, it used to be even more elaborate with 64 mandatory dishes – eight varieties each of the eight dishes– but is still prepared days beforehand. The food has to be served on a banana leaf, laid with the end to the left. There are strict orders of serving and clear directions as to what will be served on which part of the banana leaf. Cutlery is a big faux pas since people eat with hands.
MALAYSIA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
August 31, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Witness the Merdeka Day Parade at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, in celebration of Malaysia’s Independence Day. Known locally as Hari Kemerdekaan, it is the time when Malaysians show their appreciation for yet another year of harmony among the people, and are reminded of their country’s struggle for independence. A marathon, carnival and concert are held in the days leading up to parade.
DAI-CHOCHIN MATSURI
August 26 and 27, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Dai-Chochin Matsuri or the Giant Lantern Festival is one of the brightest and most delightful festivals in Japan. It’s also known as the Suwa Shrine Lantern Festival, in reference to the tradition of lighting a lantern to drive away sea demons that dates back some 450 years ago. Dai-Chochin Matsuri features enormous paper lanterns measuring more than five metres in diameter and 10 meters in length. The 12 sets of paper lanterns appearing at the festival are decorated with colourful motifs of famous Japanese myths.
LA TOMATINA
August 26, Bunyol, Spain
The tomato fight is the biggest and most loved battle in Bunyol. Running out of the ammunition is not a question because a monumental 125,000-kilogram- arsenal of ripe fruit is brought in by truck. Once the five bulbous, tomato-packed rockets are sent into the sky, the masses go into a frenzy of flinging and slinging at every moving person for two hours. The golden rule to avoid hurting others is the tomatoes must be squashed before throwing. Never, and we mean never, climb on a gate, window or wall to watch the battle, unless you want to become the target of 40,000 people. Do not miss the “soap-post”, a pole rubbed in soap with a ham leg hanging at the top. If you can reach the top, the ham leg is yours. Visit www.Tomatina.es.
JEWISH SUMMER FESTIVAL
August 30 to September 6, Budapest, Hungary
For more than 10 years, the Budapest Jewish Summer Festival (Zsido Nyari Fesztival) has been a unique collection of Jewish and Yiddish music, plays, performances and exhibitions. Besides the predominantly Jewish music programmes, there are also Gypsy musicians and performers. The Jewish Summer Festival is an annual summer festival, taking place sometime around late August and early September, organised by the Jewish Tourism and Cultural Centre. The centre of the event is the spectacular Great Synagogue in Dohany Street, the second largest Synagogue in the world.
THE BIG FUN RUN
August 23, Manchester, United Kingdom
Manchester gets energetic as The Big Fun Run comes to Heaton Park. The runs are 5km and staged within scenic parks throughout the UK. Find a relaxed atmosphere suitable for all the family where you can accomplish your personal goals. Whether you are raising money for a worthwhile cause close to your heart or remembering a loved one, the Big Fun Run is the ideal event for beginners and experienced runners alike.
