What Makes European Spring Festivals Unique

Europe is not only a popular destination in springtime for its accommodating weather and gorgeous views, but also for the multitude of festivals found throughout countries! No matter where you are during spring in Europe, you’re bound to come across one or two events! European spring festivals are known to respect their history and showcase aspects of their culture. 

In this blog, we are highlighting a few festivals happening this year that make Europe unique! 

Italy - The Culture

Photo by Gemma, Flickr

If you find yourself in Florence during the beginning of April, the Gelato Festival is one you won’t want to miss! This event is considered “one of the most important and most followed food events globally” (Gelato Festival) with over one million visitors during their event!

After tasting a surplus of delicious gelato, enjoy the cultural heritage week during April and May across many cities in Italy, popularly known as Settimana della Cultura. This Week was originally an initiative started by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture in 1998, where doors were opened to state of the art places for all people, including monuments, museums, archaeological sites, archives and libraries (Romeing). These iconic landmarks, archaeological sites, and museums in Rome have been visited by our very own week-long custom student programs!  

Because this week became so popular, conferences, workshops, guided tours and concerts of various kinds are also held! In fact, museum admission is free during the Settimana della Cultura Week in Rome. All state museums, including the Colosseum, and cultural icons of the Eternal City are free to explore (Romeing). 

France - The Arts

France highlights its music scene in late April, at the Bourges Festival. Created in 1977, this event has become popular over the decades in France, and Europe in general. This festival features musical trends from 200 artists and an enormous amount of musical genres to meet every music lover's preferences (Printemps De Bourges). 

Photo by bayerberg, Flickr

During May, The Cannes International Film Festival is “now the world’s most prestigious film gathering” (Festival De Cannes). Since 1946, Cannes’ Film Festival has centered around an universal spirit, where countries choose films to present to the competition and jury during the event. Festivities also include fireworks, parades, fashion shows, as it “aims to foster a spirit of collaboration between all film-producing countries” (Festival De Cannes). 

Interested in contemporary art and classical music? The Versailles Festival also takes place each May. This year, the Palace will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the inauguration of the Versailles Royal Opera (Palace of Versailles), so visitors can expect to visit famous rooms, view new collections of paintings and sculptures, and listen to an amazing musical program that depicts the History of Opera in France. 

Germany - The Celebration

This is one country in particular that doesn’t miss any opportunity to celebrate! In April, popular festivals will be held around Germany. 

Ostermunde, near Lubeck, is a beach bonfire with an Easter-themed celebration. Guests have the opportunity to taste delicacies, including grilled waffles, coffee, cakes, fish dishes, and pies (cite). The Easter-egg themed parades and activities offer fun for large groups of all ages. 

The Spring Festivals in Nurnberg and Munich are also quite well-known, and locals refer to the event as “Octoberfest’s little sister” (Spring Fest Munich). Some even argue this is Germany’s best festival out of the entire year. This festival lasts for two weeks, and is similar to a carnival, where rides, tents, and live music are available for visitors to enjoy. This event began in 1965, and many of the original vendors are still represented today (Spring Fest Munich). Locals get in touch with their traditional Bavarian roots and celebrate springtime together! 

Spain - The Remembrance

Photo by Keith Ellwood, Flickr

The fun-filled months of March, April, and May bring traditions alive in Spain through their unique festivities! In March, Las Fallas in Valencia features traditional celebrations, plenty of food, and lots of music. Las Fallas tradition is said to come from a carpenter who burned pieces of a wood structure, which “became the ninots that we know today” (Visit Valencia). 

Ninots are lifelike statues made out of wood, cardboard, paper-mache and so on. Valencians celebrate Las Fallas with works of art, parades, and fireworks visible throughout the streets. The festival takes place from March 15th to the 19th each year to commemorate the city's patron saint, St. Joseph. 

Holy Week, or Semana Santa, has processions across the country but the most notable and largest festivals happens in Seville, the capital city in southern Spain’s Andalusia region. Spaniards celebrate this the week before Easter, which includes wooden sculptures depicting biblical significance. This week is defined by stunning processions and creations that can be seen on the streets and in parades. Some processions can even last up to 14 hours (Ideal Education Group)! 

Photo by Tnarik Innael, Flickr

Since 1521, this holy event has been celebrated with processions with biblical scenes of Christ and portable altars (Ideal Education Group). During Holy Week, indulge in torrijas, a traditional sweet snack made of fried bread soaked in milk and egg that’s topped with sugar or honey (The Local).

Photo by Wikipedia Commons

For those in Madrid, you can expect to be in awe of the Fiestas de San Isidro during the month of May. This event includes traditional dancing in public squares, as Madrid honors its patron saint, San Isidro Labrador, with concerts, shows and activities for all ages. This week-long festival includes traditional religious ceremonies, traditional dances, and families spend time together in the Pradera de San Isidro Park (Turismo Madrid). 

Europe is an amazing visit anytime during the year, and Springtime is no different! No matter what your preference is - art, culture, cuisine, or pure celebration - there are dozens of festivals across the continent to meet your liking!

Curious about other Spanish attractions? Read more about why Spain, in particular, is also appealing yearound by checking out our past blog on Four Reasons to Visit Spain! 

Sources

“About Us Gelato Festival.” About Us - Gelato Festival 2019, 2019, gelatofestival.com/en/about/.

“Bourges - Printemps De Bourges.” Bourges, www.ville-bourges.fr/_en/site/culture---leisure_printemps-bourges-music-festival. 

“The Fallas of València.” Fallas Festival València, Visit Valencia. 2019.

The Local. “The Essential Guide to Easter in Spain.” Thelocal.es, The Local Europe AB, 9 Apr. 2019.

Romeing.it. “Settimana Della Cultura: Free Museums All Week.” Romeing, 4 Mar. 2019, www.romeing.it/settimana-della-cultura-roma/.

“San Isidro.” Turismo Madrid, 23 Dec. 2019.

“Semana Santa in Spain .” Enforex, Ideal Education Group.

“Spring Fest Munich.” Spring Fest Munich, Veranstaltungsgesellschaft Münchner Schausteller.

“The 2019-2020 Musical Season.” Palace of Versailles, Château De Versailles Spectacles Research Centre, 15 July 2019.

“The History of the Festival .” Festival De Cannes 2019, 26 May 2017.

Three Unknown Phenomenons You Should Know About Chinese New Year

The Chinese zodiac cycles every 12 years with 12 animals, and every year, a new animal starts the Chinese New Year. You can also call Chinese New Year “Spring Festival”, as it marks the beginning of the new year and the beginning of Spring in the traditional Chinese calendar.  

Spring Festival is the most important and popular festival in China. It is a time of year for people in China to mark a new year with traditional celebrations and engage in cultural activities with family.

These are 3 phenomenons you may not have known about Chinese New Year.

1. Enjoy a Large Meal

During Spring Festival, Chinese people get together and have a large dinner on the eve of the Lunar New Year.  Before the festivities actually begin, during the evening before, called Spring Festival Eve, you will see many people set off fireworks and firecrackers.  

This is done with the hope of casting away any bad luck and to bring good luck for the new lunar year. Food items on the menu include dumplings (for most of Northern China) and rice dumplings, these are some of the most traditional foods.  In preparation for this important event, Chinese people usually clean and decorate their houses before Spring Festival.

2. Decorate Accordingly

For Spring Festival, people in China will put New Year paintings on the wall, post poetic verses, like Spring Festival couplets, and decorate with red lanterns.  Traditionally, the color red in China symbolizes success and harmony, which is why there are numerous red decorations during Spring Festival.

In addition, people will place paper-cuttings on main doors or windows for good fortune and prosperities.  The last day of the Spring Festival is called the Lantern Festival. People in China will usually go to parks to see beautiful displays of lanterns, of which there are different stories for each of the lanterns. They play an important part in the traditional celebration of the last day of Spring Festival to bring good luck next year.

3. Exchange Gifts

Chinese New Year lasts for 15 days!  It is an important time for family to be together, give gifts, and send warm greetings to each other.  

A common practice is for children to receive money from their parents and relatives. This money is typically given in a red packet and is meant to symbolize good luck and protection.  It is also very common for children (and some adults) to wear new clothes that they receive as gifts on the first day of Spring Festival.

Chinese New Year is a special time of year for those in China.  It is a time for a fresh start and a happy time to relax and be in the company of family.  Each family may celebrate a bit differently, but there are commonalities throughout China. The most important common thread is to spend and enjoy time with your loved ones.

Curious to learn more about China and how my experience with EdOdyssey changed me? Check out How Chinese Food in China Changed Me Forever!