DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   The attractions of snakes seems to be a huge pull factor, and seemingly the whole world's major ophidiophillaccs (snake lovers) often accompanied by their snakes, alongside keen photographers, descend on the small medieval town of Cocullo , in the Abruzzo Majella Mountains , ready to take part in this festival which has been re-enacted in its current Christian format each year, apart from 2009.    There are three supposed origins to the Cocullo Snake Festival ....In the 11th century, apparently Saint Dominic cleared the local fields which were being overrun by snakes, and as a sign of thanks, since 1392, the locals parade his statue and snakes around the streets.  The second version dates to 700 B.C., locals experienced the same problems in tending to their field and Apollo ordered the village to entwine the snakes around his statue so that they would become tame and be able to farm once more.  The first origin dates back some 20...

   The Takayama Festivals in Takayama, Japan, started in the 16th to 17th century.  The origins of the festivals are unknown; however they are believed to have been started during the rule of the Kanamori family .  Correspondence dated 1692, place the origin to 40 years prior to that date.  One of the festivals is held on the 14th and 15th of April and the other on the 9th ad 10th of October.    The Spring Takayama Festival is centered on the Hie Shrine .  The shrine is also known as the Sanno Shrine , and the spring festival is also known as the Sanno Festival.   The Sanno Festival is held to pray for a good harvest and the Autumn Festival is for giving thanks.    The Autumn festival is centered on the Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine and is referred to as the Hachiman Festival .  It is held after the crops are harvested.  The fall festival is one of the three largest festivals in Japan.  The oth...

   Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, and is commemorated by both countries on April 25th every year to honor members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I.  It is now more broadly commemorates all those who died and served in military operations for their countries.  Anzac Day is also observed in the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga.       History    Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.  The acronym ANZAC, stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps , whose soldiers were known as Anzacs.  Anzac Day remains one of the most important national occasions of both Australia and New Zealand.  This is a rare instance of two sovereign countries not only sharing the same remembrance day, but ma...

   Omizutori , or the annual, sacred Water Drawing Festival , is a Japanese Buddhist festival that takes place in the NIgatsu-do of Todai-ji, Nara, Japan.  The festival is the final rite in observance of the two week long Shuni-e ceremony.  This ceremony is to cleanse the people of their sins as well as to usher in spring of the New Year.  Once the Omizutori is completed, the cherry blossoms have started blooming and spring has arrived.      The rite occurs on the last night of the Shuni-e ceremony, when monks bearing torches come to the Wakasa Well , underneath the Nigatsu-do Hall, which according to legend only springs forth water once a year.  The ceremony has occurred in the Nigatsu-do of the imperial temple at Nara, of the Todai-ji, since it was first founded.  These annual festivals have been dated back to the year of 752.  The earliest known records of the use of an incense seal during the religio...

      Queen's Day in Amsterdam is a unique night and day carnival like event on the 30th of April each year and during the night before...so called Queen's Night .  What is special about the Queen's Day?  How about  having elements of a huge party across the whole city, it is combined with the market in the streets in the whole entire city.    Queen's Day in Amsterdam attracts 700,000 visitors, which makes the city crowded beyond any acceptable norm.  Despite overcrowding, the atmosphere on Queen's Day is traditionally relax and joyful.  The usually mild weather makes the Queen's Day the day to be in Amsterdam.       The Tradition of Queen's Day    Queen's Day is celebrated in the whole country of the Netherlands for more than 50 years.  Amsterdam celebrations are the most raucous.  Over the years, the popularity of the event grows bigger and bigg...

    The Feria de Abril de Sevilla , literally Seville April Fair , is held in the Andalusian capital of Seville, Spain.  the fair generally begins two weeks after the Semana Santa , or Easter Holy Week .    The fair officially begins at midnight on Monday, and runs for six days, ending on the following Sunday.  During past fairs, however, many activities have begun on the Saturday prior to the official opening.  Each day the fiesta begins with the parade of carriages and riders, at midday, carrying Seville's leading citizens which make their way to the bullring, La Real Maestranza , where the bullfighters and breeder meet.   For the duration of the fair, the fairgrounds and a vast area on the far bank of the Guadalquivir River are totally covered in rows of casetas (individual decorated marquee tents which are temporarily built on the fairground).  Some of these csetas belong to the prominent families of...

  The Feria Nacional de San Marcos (San Marcos Fair) is a national fair held in the Mexican state of Agualscalientes every year for three (sometimes four) weeks.  Most of the events related to the fair, however, occur in the city of Aguascalientes, the state capital.  The exact date of the fair varies every uear but is set around April 25th, the Feast Day of San Marcos .  Beauty Queens    Initially the fair was tied to the vendimia (harvesting of grapes) since wine production used to be an important activity in Aguascalientes.  Nowadays, it is an important tourist attraction that is heavily associated with bullgighting and cock fighting.  It is estimated that seven million people visit the fair every year and as a consequence, hotels are usually filled to capacity, however some locals rent out their houses to visitors and go on vacation during this time.   Activities    The San Marcos Nationa...