Festive seasons around the glove

PAJU JANGDAN SOYBEAN FESTIVAL 

November 20 to 22, Paju, South Korea

The stars of the Paju Jangdan festival are soybeans, a health food that has long been popular in South Korea. The Jangdan Soybeans produced in Paju province are famous for their superior taste and outstanding nutritional value. In the past, Jangdan soybeans were served to the king. In the early 20th Century, the beans were designated the most superior soybeans in Korea and were distributed throughout the country. During the festival visitors can taste the soybeans and learn how to make dishes made from soybeans including tteok (rice cakes), tofu and preserved soybeans.

 

SARASWATI

November 28, Bali, Indonesia

Bali and the Balinese celebrate Hari Raya Saraswati, a day devoted to the Hindu Goddess of Knowledge, Art and Literature – Dewi Saraswati. Books of knowledge, manuscripts and the Vedas are blessed and special offerings are made together with aspirations for knowledge and wisdom. Saraswati falls on an Umanis Watugunung Saturday in the Balinese 210-day pawukon calendar, hence its celebration twice in a Gregorian year.

 

PENANG ISLAND JAZZ FESTIVAL

December 3 to 6, Penang, Malaysia

Malaysian and international musicians play jazz by the sea on large outdoor stages of Ferringhi Beach at the Penang Island Jazz Festival every year. Highlights include performances by local and international artists, workshops and an exhibition of posters, photographs and paintings. Visit www.PenangJazz.com.

 

BATH FILM FESTIVAL

December 3 to 13, Bath, United Kingdom

In 1990, Bath Film Society screened a handful of French films. They were so successful that the society was left with 50 pounds profit. Buoyed up by this, Chris Baker approached local businessman and film buff, Philip Raby, along with the three cinemas in Bath at the time, to propose a film festival. Since then, locations have changed and been added to, eminent industry names have given the festival their patronage and film distributors have recognised that Bath Film Festival is a great outlet for previews of their upcoming gems. The event is packed full of film screenings from documentaries and shorts to animation and classic re-issues. Visit www.BathFilmFestival.org.uk.

 

MACY’S THANKSGIVING PARADE

November 26, New York, USA

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade has been the official kick-off to the holiday season for many decades. In 1924, the event, known as Macy’s Christmas Parade, was started by Macy’s employees and featured animals from the Central Park Zoo. It was a big success and Macy’s declared it would be an annual event. The signature giant balloons were introduced in 1927 with the first-ever character balloon of Felix the Cat. Every year, more than 3.5 million people line the streets and another 50 million people at home, all tune in to see giant balloons, floats and balloonicles joining celebrities, bands and clown crews in one of the most spectacular holiday celebrations in the world.

 

WHIRLING DERVISHES FESTIVAL

December 7 to 17, Konya, Turkey

Konya, in Turkey’s central Anatolia region, is home to the annual Whirling Dervishes Festival, one of the world’s most spiritual yet spectacular dances. The dance, music, and spiritual experience fuse together during the dance of the Dervishes, with the final night commemorating the death of Mevlana, the great Sufic saint, and his union with God. Expect millions of spectators.