Movimiento Travel

The National Arts Festival (also known as Grahamstown Festival) is the second largest arts festival in the world. Each year for two weeks of July, the art is at its best: theater, dance, opera, music, visual arts, readings and more. I invite you to learn a unique festival that brings the great South African cultural spirit with each heartbeat.

The National Arts Festival is not a single event, but many. The National Youth Festival Jazz lover and Awards Standard Bank young artists are also part of this event.

It began in 1974 as a project of the Grahamstown Foundation, arriving today to be the second largest arts festival on the planet.

If you have the opportunity to attend the festival, you will see more than 120,000 participants for 10 days fill the “University City” (where Rhodes University) making a unique artistic display, a burst of creative talent nurtured by the most diverse cultures throughout South Africa.

Day and night without stopping, without interruption, you can enjoy live music, street performers, and walking tours, readings, etc. In addition, always never rest the endless craft markets, ideal to buy many souvenirs dating back to you once you experience the journey again.

The “green” city
Known as the most important tourist routes in the region, Grahamstown has a history dating back to colonial days, so it has an incredible display of Victorian style marked more than 40 churches, forts and other buildings.

It is also considered a “green” city because it has thousands of acres dedicated to nature and conservation of flora and fauna, you can visit with a guide. You will take an unforgettable experience.

Grahamstown is also a city for lovers of birds. Thomas Baines Nature Reserve is just outside the city, like the Great Fish River Reserve, and both offer a wide variety of rare birds that jaw-dropping.

For lovers of hiking or “trekking” is the path of “Oldenburgian”, which took two days to cover, beginning and ending at the gates of the city. Other routes are known and smaller and Gowie Dassie Krantz Kloof. Ask for them to locals.

A festival out of this world
The festival takes place between late June and early July so the weather is rather cold, because of that everyone wears coats, scarves and gloves.

It will see both foreign and native artists. The population of the city of Grahamstown is doubled for 10 days Imagine! Not for nothing is one of the biggest festivals in the world. Nearly 50,000 people migrate to the city in those days, hungry for entertainment, cultural entertainment, souvenirs and recreational activities.

Every hall or large room becomes a theater, with each park and sports field fit a traditional market and the whole city, which does not allow you to escape more than 500 shows ranging from opera, theater and jazz up comedy style stand-up “(monologue) and African folk music.

Eye young people and lovers of electronic music have their place in this festival so great. All the time there is a giant industry where rave parties are held to the sound of a punch-punch ending.

For the more exotic are the medieval banquets, where it all goes back to a bygone era filled with noble fantasy. You can dress up, dance and laugh until mad.

As you can see there is room for everyone. You can attend with children, engaged in activities including those between 4 and 13 years to learn the art and culture are protagonists. You will not regret.

The fifteenth day of the seventh month in lunar calendar, the kingdom of heaven and hell opened its doors to permit the release of all spirits who want to take a vacation and leave the world of the living all his pain and suffering.

This ancient Chinese tradition is celebrated this year on 3 September, and if you travel to that country, you can be there to be part of this event and learn more about the details of an ancient culture.

The origin
It is said that this event has its roots in Buddhist Ullambana conclusion, with which is combined in certain dynasties. On the same date, then there is a day called Day of Rejoicing of Buddha, which remind monks Buddha and his disciples.

The spirits who wander in this day are those who have not received a proper burial, or who was not given the attention and deserved recognition before his death.

Tradition states that Mu Lian (also known as Maudgalyayana), a disciple of the Buddha monk, used his clairvoyance to discover that the ghost of her mother, because of their greed, remained locked up in the Kingdom of the Hungry Ghosts, thus prevented him from reincarnating.

Buddha was he who suggested that Mu Lian placed a plate of food and an empty seat, and through a ritual, invoking the ghosts so they can feed hungry. So her mother got Maudgalyayana was released to reincarnate into an animal.

This legend gave rise to one of the many rituals that result in the Zhongyuan Jie: Families place a plate of food on the table, leaving a vacant chair, to hungry ghosts that have gone to visit and eat together to them. This willingness, in turn, is considered good luck, bringing better yields and ward off evil spirits with harmful intent.
Feasts and shows

Not only families put a plate on the table: there are big events around the country, and especially entertaining feast dedicated to the spirits, and even musicals and plays in which the front rows are reserved for the ghosts to sit and enjoy the performance that some artists devote.

Nor can they miss the evening performances, since it is believed that the spirits that come out of Hell on time can not wander in the presence of sunlight.

During the day, the inhabitants remain guarded for fear of the various superstitions that abound on this festival. Some suggest that children can be possessed, so they are not allowed out at night. In addition, it is not allowed to swim for fear of the spirits that lurk in the waters. It is said that only the brave are close to the beaches at this time, challenging the latent danger of being dragged into the depths of dark forces.
Burning Offerings

Another curious ritual that usually occur in various parts of China in the context of this festival is that of burning paper offerings made in the form of coveted material goods such as houses, televisions, cars, and even special money to be used in spirit world. These representations will become real in this kingdom, so that will give comfort to the ghosts who live there.

While the concept is contradictory to a culture as superficial as spiritual, is related more to the way they see life after life, which often differ strongly in all faiths.
Lighted pathways

The Zhongyuan Jie has duration of 15 days. To conclude, the night of the last day, the streets will be illuminated by lamps of water for the spirits to find their way back into place.

In doing so, ends this strange festival and the next day, the streets are re-populated by living unafraid to walk back his way. These conclusions can you live if you travel to both China and to Hong Kong SAR or, if you’re already there.

In Cheung Chau, an island of Hong Kong, every year a festival is held very original: the Festival of the buns. Everything about the festival is part of its history: a dark age in which it was believed that the island was cursed. To cope with the curse, the inhabitants made several sacrifices and rituals and scaring the demons and ghosts.

In the memory of these rituals comes this event today has become one of the most important of all China. Discover an unusual event full of color and pastries.

In late May of each year, residents of Cheung Chau and many curious passengers in the streets of the city to enjoy this event so special.

The festival is held on the island of the same name, which historically was the hideout of dozens of pirates. The islanders, when asked, mentioning two origins for the festival: a report that is to placate the ghosts of the victims of pirates, while others say the festival commemorating the survival plague 200 years ago in the domains of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), when Cheung Chau was devastated by a storm. This disaster was followed by a great plague that took the lives of many. Believing that the island was cursed, people began to practice ceremonies and sacrifices to appease the wrath of the gods. The festival is of extraordinary dimensions and coincides with the birthday of Buddha. For all this, it is a unique event of its kind and an ideal opportunity for travelers to discover the essence of Chinese traditions and beliefs more remote.

In celebration, which lasts seven days, you can see rituals, dances, taste traditional local dishes, listen to Chinese songs and have fun. At this time also loves to Pak Tai, the Taoist god of the Sea, with a ritual procession in a march to the music of gongs and drums, all accompanied by adults and children dressed in many colors.

During the first three days, the entire island becomes a vegetarian. Even fast-food outlets offer meat: the menu changes drastically for veggie burgers and even hot dogs vegetarians.

Cheung Chau is a community that depends almost entirely on the sea for their life, since fishing is the main activity. In addition, motorized boats are prohibited on the island. This means that the port is filled with small boats bobbing peacefully ancient oriental style … It is an ideal place to relax and also to celebrate.

The towers of buns
No doubt the main attraction of this festival is climbing so-called “towers of buns.” These are huge bamboo structures, filled with sweet pastries like fruit hanging from tall trees. The towers of buns are located in front of Pak Tai Temple, the god who is devoted to the festival, built in 1783.

There are several temples in Hong Kong that honor to this god, who according to legend, the prince of evil began to heaven. Of greater importance to the residents of Cheung Chau is however its role as an advocate before the pirates who had released a series of attacks against the island. According to the myths, the attacks ceased once the temple was built.

The towers are built with bamboo to a height of 18 meters and then are filled with sweet buns. Since all the buns are blessed, once people climbed the tower to get their buns, but in 1978 one of these towers collapsed causing hundreds of injuries, so that until recently was banned climbing. However from 2005 onwards were established some very strict rules and this activity was glad that both the people was restored.

Furthermore, if the festival has even more flavor, buns are distributed to those attending the festival for free after the closing ceremony. Of course you can also buy these cakes in local bakeries.

The climb to the towers of buns
It is a strange and fascinating tradition: the sound of the gong competition starts, where the twelve participating climbers must climb the tower of cakes and breads to collect as many as possible, the higher are the rolls are worth more points. Now: they have only three minutes to get there. For added security, now the tower is now metal and the contestants wear a harness.

Win the challenge the climber to collect more points. How do they do? Some say it is easier to collect as many buns as possible, while others prefer those that are higher than are those with the highest score … Competition is not just an amazing show to win the game is quite an honor. Tradition determines that the family belongs to which contestant will be very lucky during that year, as it will with the blessing of the god Pak Tai.

Other gods
The festival not only dedicated to Pak Tai. The second of the deities who participated in this event is the highly revered Goddess Hau, who is the protector of the seas, fishermen and their boats. This goddess is worshiped to provide warnings of impending storms and save the lives of fishermen, as many of the islanders live from fishing.

Two gods complete the heavenly altar involved in the great celebration: Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy, and Hsing-the terrifying god of the south, who with his beard hideous face of horror to all his opponents.

You can see in different parts of the city temples and festivals dedicated to these gods, you can always enjoy free.

Aerial Dance
The week’s festivities culminate with spectacular processions in which smaller clothes and walk the streets dressed as mythological figures, held aloft by hidden bars that give the appearance of floating above the heads of the crowd.

This is how you will see a “flyover” of small figures dancing in the air. Parents consider it a great honor that their children are part of the parade, so usually the preparation of the costumes is time and dedication of each family.

A company of musicians accompanying the procession fascinating, beating gongs and drums to scare the ghosts of old pirates and their victims. The pilgrimage is led by a spectacular image of Pak Tai, who directs the imaginary battle against the spirits.

Algarve is a beautiful region full of beaches south of Portugal. The regional capital is Faro, the area known for its pristine beaches on the Atlantic Ocean and sunny weather throughout the year.

Algarve’s climate is delightful. During the spring and summer, the region enjoys warm, sunny days, and winter temperatures remain around 15 º C.

Algarve started to become more important since the 1960′s, when the number of tourists visiting this region increased dramatically. Algarve stands out as a region where newspapers and posters do not come in one language, if not coming in Portuguese, English and German.

Algarve is located on the Atlantic coast, and its long, sandy beaches decorate the landscape. The most important beaches are Playa da Marinha and Armação de Pêra.

Among the many highlights Algarve beaches of Praia da Marinha, located in Lagoa. This beach is considered one of the best in the region, and has won several awards in recent years. Praia da Marinha is one of the most recognized in the country since its breathtaking views have graced thousands of publications on tourism in Portugal.

One of the towns best known is Armação de Pêra, and thousands of tourists visit its magnificent beaches, hotels and restaurants. The village lies in a beautiful bay and has dozens of beaches.

In recent years has also increased the number of golf courses, and now the region is the ideal destination for lovers of the sport. There are a variety of spa and resorts ideal for relaxing or enjoying an occasional treatment. The city of Caldas de Monchique is famous for its hot springs.

La Villa Loulé is a town in the region that was founded in 1266. Even today retains its ancient towers and medieval alleys stand made of stone.

Lagos was the capital of the region from 1577 to 1756. A year earlier, the city had been almost destroyed after the earthquake of Lisbon, when an earthquake destroyed much of Algarve.

The town of Silves is one of the oldest in the region, dating back 3,000 years ago. Recently found a number of ruins where once a Roman villa decorated with ceramic tile.

Algarve is known for its ceramics and clay. One of the most typical souvenirs of the region is ceramic tiles painted blue or with elaborate designs. The more traditional cities Almancil, Loule Porches and specialize in the manufacture of ceramics. In addition, the Algarve is known for its wine, as in this region produces the best wine of the country.

Ria Formosa lagoon is located in this region. The lake is bordered by six small islands that act as a barrier and that link the lagoon with the city of Faro. The famous lagoon Ria Formosa nature reserve is one of over 170 square kilometers. Here, nature lovers can observe hundreds of species of migratory birds.

Ria Formosa is not only a natural park which is responsible for dozens of species conservation, but who is also a place where some fish are raised for sale. Ria Formosa also has some of the best beaches, notably the beaches of Vale do Lobo or Culatra. It also highlights the island of Faro, a place noted for its nature and breathtaking panoramas.

In the sports landscape, highlights the Estadio Algarve, the most important stage of the region belonging to two cities, Faro and Loulé. In this place are usually held parties, concerts and festivals.

The city of Faro is celebrated International Motorcycle Rally in Faro, a well-known festival. La Semana Académica da Universidade do Algarve is another festival that has a lot of importance in the city, as university students organized a series of concerts, competitions and festivals during that time.

There are a variety of sites can be visited in this region. Other prominent religious sites are the Hermitage of San Sebastian and the Chapel of San Luis. Some of the most interesting places to visit include the Castle Horta Faro and goldsmiths. In the cultural panorama highlights the Teatro Leth and some of the most important museums like the Museo Marítimo Almirante Ramalho Ortigao or the Regional Museum.