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Noche de Ràbanos (The Spanish festival -Night of the Radishes)

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Noche de Ràbanos (The Spanish festival -Night of the Radishes)

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The Night of the Radishes is an annual festival that is held on 23rd of December in Oaxaca, Mexico. The origin of this festival is quite interesting. There has been a tradition of wood carving in the city of Oaxaca in order to attract the customers' attention in the Christmas market. Yet, on 23rd of December in 1897, the mayor of the city,Francisco Vasconcelos, has decided to standardize this fesrival and has introduced radish instead of wood to carve objecs. Surprisingly, the habit to use radish to carve objects was introduced coincidedly where two priests have brought some radishe to the market which have been forgotten in an abandoned field. In the former years, the themes related to Christianity were carved on the vegetables.Yet, at present, even the non-religious themes are portrayed on radishes. Moreover, due to the popularity of the festival, special and enormous radishes are grown for this fesrival which are fertilized heavily.Unfortunately, this event lasts only for few hours (from late afternoon to early evening on 23rd of December) since the radishes wilt quickly when they are cut.

HS/2019/2024
Sanudi Fernando

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Bastille Day is the biggest, most famous and most important festival in France. Bastille Day is the name which was given by English speaking countries to the National Day of France. In French, it is officially called "La Fête Nationale"  and usually "Le Quatorze Juillet". This festival is celebrated on 14th July every year in France. It commemorates the anniversary of the storming of Bastille which was a military fortress and a prison on 14th July in 1789 which took place the major event of the French Revolution. On the other hand, it remarks the end of the French monarchy and the official beginning of the French Revolution. nowadays it is celebrated throughout the country with military parades and magnificent fireworks which displays at the Eiffel tower at night. Therefore I am telling you that this is the must-see annual festival in France which you should experience in your lifetime.
HS/2019/0248
Dilshi Wickramarathna

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The jeju festival was a Korean festival that held in the early March to celebrate coming of Spring and symbolise the time for Koreans to pray for good harvest and good health.
The festival is target on an island called Jeju  which faces volcanos and a very prosperous island with a lot of green.

They make a bonfire with pines branches aligned the rising of moon and called as duljap or moon houses. Burning of this Bon fire represents the  prayers of Koreans asking the protection from evil and good fortune. And this festival accompanies folk games and entertainment events.

HS/2019/2044

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"Holi" is a popular ancient Indian festival which is also known as "Festival of Love", "Festival of Colours" and "Festival of Spring". This is a religious, cultural and a spring festival that celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter and the bolssoming of love that everyone can meet together, play, laugh, forget and forgive and repair broken relationships. It lasts for a night and a day, that starts on the evening of Full Moon Day. On that day, they spray colured dye, play with coloured powder and dance. This festival celebrates the eternal love of Radha Krishna and also it signifies the triumph of good over the evil. The most important thing is, on that day each and everyone celebrates and enjoys this cultural and religious festival despite rich or poor, friend or stranger, man or woman and both children and elders happily. Although it was originated in India and Nepal, but by the present it has spread to other regions of Asia as well. Finally, this can be seen as a colourful and a holy festival which reunites the hearts of the people.
Student Number: HS/2019/2063

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Dubai International Jazz Festival. As the city of Dubai is known for its stunning architecture, heritage and recent developments in the field of technology, the mega city is also known for its jazz festival.  The Dubai International Jazz Festival is one of the highlights of the city's tourism industry.  The festival is held annually in February.  This year’s festival will celebrate its eighteenth anniversary.  The event attracts many internationally acclaimed artists, most notably Mariah Carey, Deep Purple, James Blunt and John Legend.  If you are going to Dubai this February, be sure to attend this event and experience it for a lifetime. 

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Dubai International Jazz Festival. As the city of Dubai is known for its stunning architecture, heritage and recent developments in the field of technology, the mega city is also known for its jazz festival.  The Dubai International Jazz Festival is one of the highlights of the city's tourism industry.  The festival is held annually in February.  This year’s festival will celebrate its eighteenth anniversary.  The event attracts many internationally acclaimed artists, most notably Mariah Carey, Deep Purple, James Blunt and John Legend.  If you are going to Dubai this February, be sure to attend this event and experience it for a lifetime. 

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Hs/2019/2041

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Among the fantastic French festivals, the festival d' Avignon plays a significant role. The annual theatre festival is held in July in the courtyard of the Palais des Papes in Avignon. During this time, Avignon transforms its architectural heritage into various majestic performance venues. Tens of thousands of theatre - lovers of all ages come to enjoy theatre, dance, visual arts, and live music. The town also becomes an open - air forum where festival - goers can talk about the shows and share their experiences.
Every evening, there is at least one show premiere, making Avignon the place to be artists and spectators alike. Alongside the official festival, which is referred to as the "in" one, a number of shows are presented in Avignon at the same time; known as the "off". These are organized by a non - profit organization composed mostly of theatre companies. The performances take place in theatres schools, on the streets, and in other suitable venues. Needless to say , if you love theatre, this is one French festival not to miss.
HS/TE19/0030
Subodha Rajakaruna

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The Carnival of Rio de Janeiro, also known as the "O maior show da Terra", is the world's biggest carnival held every year in Brazil to give honor to the Greek wine gods and to celebrate the country's culture and way of life.  The carnival is held a few days prior to the start of Lent, the 40 day fasting period that is observed by the Roman Catholic Church before Easter.  The celebration that commences on Ash Wednesday noon and ends 46 days before Easter, includes parades, parties and open air performances. The festival has many samba schools, a dancing, marching and drumming club, in elegant costumes with variously choreographed dances representing a certain geographical and common background.  These samba schools compete with one another for a multi-million dollar reward. Millions of people from around the world unites and get together in the streets to watch the colorful, bright and mind-blowing spectacles of the carnival.  The carnival further brings out the rich music which evolved in Brazil. This year's carnival parade was cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic, Covid-19 and is proposed to be held on February next year.
Amandee Liyanapathirana
HS/2019/0522.

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"Hinamatsuri" also called doll's day or girl's day is observed on march 3rd of every year to celebrate every young girl in the country and pray for their continued health and happyness. This festival also known as "momo no sekku" (peach festival). Platforms covered with a red carpet material are used to display a set of ornamental dolls representing "the Emperor, Empress,Attendants,and Musicians" in traditional court dresses of the "Heian period"
The earliest record of  displaying the dolls as part of the girl's day comes from 1625, for Emperor Go-Muzunoo's daughter princess Oki-ko . Imperial court ladies set up equipment for her to engage in doll play. After Oki-ko succeed her father as the Empress Meishō, Hinamatsuri legally became the name of the holiday.
In the days leading up to march 3 it is common for children to celebrate Hinamatsuri by holding parties and enjoying such treats as, hina-arare (multi colored sweets and candy from rice and sugar) Chirashi-zushi,Clam soup and red and white rice cakes called " Hishi- mochi". Traditionally springs of peach blossoms are displayed alone with dolls at these gatherings.
In the past a festival dedicated to the celebration of girls was a rare event among the broader culture dominated by men. However, as the country works to bring woman to the forefront of the society, the Hinamatsuri has taken on new aspect as an event celebrating not just young but all womankind.

Ushani Saubhagya HS/2019/1040

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Each year, February 3rd, the celebration known as Setsubun takes place across Japan. This celebration, literally meaning “seasonal division,” marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. People Prepare roasted soybeans and throw them away around their houses to celebrate this. The beans represent vitality and are thought to symbolically purify the home by driving away evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health. Further, to celebrate this festival, people keep windows open as they throw the beans, so that evil spirits can leave. Another custom, especially for small children, is throwing beans at a family member who is dressed as a demon.

Naveera Asanki
HS/2019/2023

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Lantern Festival, also known as Shanghuan Festival, is a traditional festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar. Usually February or early March, according to the Gregorian calendar, marks the last day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. It became a very important festival at the beginning of the Western Han Dynasty.During the lantern festival, children carry paper lanterns and go out at night to solve lantern puzzles. In ancient times, lanterns were quite simple, and large ornaments were available only to the emperor and aristocrats. Nowadays, lanterns are decorated with many intricate designs. For example, cages are now often made in the shape of animals. Lanterns can symbolize people giving up their past souls and getting new ones. They will leave them next year.The lanterns are almost always lit red to symbolize good luck.
Also sometimes referred to as the "Lantern Festival" in places like Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Lantern festivals are also popular in the West, such as the Water Lantern Festival, which is held in several locations in the United States. In London, the Magic Lantern Festival is held annually. In this way, the festival has become popular in countries other than China.

D.M.S.M. Dissanayake
HS/FT19/0017

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Up-Helly Aa is a fire festival typically held every year between January to March among various communities in Shetland, Scotland that marks the end of the yule season. Shetland boasts of it's Norse connection and celebrates Viking culture by parading down the cobblestones, blazing torches held up high, as they make their way through the dark streets. The festival that began in the 1880's draws thousands of locals and tourists alike to honor the rich heritage for the world to see.

Amani Iqbal
HS/2019/2045

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Holi is one of the major festivals of Hindus. It is celebrated in South Asian countries , very especially in India and Nepal. It is celebrated in March every year. The Indians worship God through this festival and the use of colors in it means war.They dress up in white for the occasion and celebrate it in a very colorful way. According to Indian mythology, King Hirandiyakasap conspired to assassinate his brother.To celebrate it, the Indians hold a festival called Holi.During the Holi celebrations, they drink a drink called Mor with opium and also eat various sweets.In keeping with the cultural exchange, this Holi festival was held twice in Sri Lanka as well.Personally, I love Indian culture and I love Holi too.

HS/FT19/0027
ANJALIKA Y.B.D

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The Gion Festival first started in the 9th century. It is originated from a religious purification ritual to appease the gods thought to cause fire,floods and earthquakes.It takes place annually during the month of July in Kyoto.It is a month long festival that is one of the biggest and most famous festival in Japan.The whole month of July is filled with fun festival activities and events While the main day of the festival being 17th of July.The Gion Festival is usually decorated by various spectacular festival floats and traditional Japanese performances.Moreover, some of Japan's finest festival food can be seen.This festival is now almost 1200 years old and attracts large crowds of spectators every year.
HS/TE19/0007
Nisansala Dilrukshi

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This one-day holiday, often known as the 'festival of lights,' takes place in India and numerous other nations as well. It is between mid-October and mid-November. Overall, it is a celebration of good triumphing over evil, light triumphing over darkness, and knowledge triumphing over ignorance, although the holiday has various religious implications for Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. Many homes, shops, and public areas are decked out with little earthenware lamps known as diyas, and fireworks, religious rites, and presents are shared among each other.
HS/TE19/0005 Charithma Sewmini

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Each year 7th of July Divers and snorkelers can explore the United States’ only living coral barrier reef while rocking to a unique sub-sea concert that promotes reef protection. This festival takes place at Looe Key Reef, an area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary about 6 miles south of Big Pine Key. It’s staged by Key radio station US01 104.1 FM and set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The music is designed to enhance the underwater experience for divers discovering the fantastic realm of tropical fish, coral formations, and other marine life. Some divers who participate in the underwater adventure wear costumes, portraying everything from mermaids to rock stars. A few even pretend to play instruments such as a “baratuba”  August Powers — whose other creations range from a “trom-bonefish” to a “clambourine.” Born in August’s imagination and then carefully crafted, each instrument playfully incorporates the characteristics of an undersea creature. The primary purpose of the annual festival, of course, is to encourage the preservation of the Key's rich coral reef ecosystem. The broadcast incorporates diver-awareness announcements emphasizing ways to enjoy the reef while minimizing environmental impacts.
Panchami Jayawardena
HS/TE19/0017

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Holi is a religious spring festival celebrated mainly by Hindus. The day before the festival, called Holika Dahan, the flames are lit to commemorate the miraculous salvation of the young Prahlad when the Holika demon takes him to the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahalad, a devout devotee of Lord Vishnu, escaped unscathed due to his unwavering devotion. The festival can last up to 16 days, with Hindus throwing colored powder and water at each other in the streets.Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the flowering of love and is a festive day for many to meet. It is a festival to play and laugh with others, to forgive forgetfulness and to repair broken relationships. The festival also celebrates the beginning of a good spring harvest.It begins on the evening of the full moon Poya day in the Hindu calendar month of Falguna and falls around mid-March and lasts for one night and one day. The first evening is called Holika Dahan (Demon Holika Bake) or Choti Holi and the next day is Holi, Rangwali Holi, Dol Purnima, Dhuleti, Dhulandi, Ukuli, Manjal Kuli, Yaosang, Shigmo or Phagwah, Jajiri.In addition to India and Nepal, the Indian subcontinental diaspora includes Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, South Africa, Mauritius, Fiji, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States, the Netherlands and Canada. In recent years, Holi has spread as a festival of love, fun and color in some parts of Europe and North America.
HS/FT19/0021,
Thivanthi Atimorathanna.

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The “Day of The Dead” is a famous and traditional festival celebrated in Mexico between the 31st of October to the 2nd of November. This festival is celebrated all over Mexico to honor and to remember the dead , especially their loved ones. This is a very colourful and interesting festival. On this day Mexicans visit cemeteries, decorate the graves and spend time at the graves to celebrate the lives of those who are not with them. They also make decorated altars in their homes to welcome the spirits. Then they walk together in the streets of Mexico to pay tribute to their loved ones. They wear traditional Mexican dresses such as big feathered hats, flower crowns and sugar skull face paint . They also dress in a traditional Mexican dress like an embroidered Puebla dress, or wear a long and fancy lace dress. Making sugar skulls is an important event in this festival . Each sugar skull represents a departed loved one and is usually placed on an altar  or even a gravestone as an offering to the spirit of the dead. Sugar skulls are often decorated with the person's name.
Nessaya Jayawardene
HS/FT19/0049

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Snow festival (Sapporo Yuki Festival) is held annually in Sapporo, Japan. They held it over seven days in February. Odori Park, Susukino and Tsudome are the main sites of the festival. The snow festival began in 1950. Six local high school students made six snow statues in 1950. In 1955, the Japan Self-Defense forces from the nearby Makomanai base joined in and built the first massive snow sculpture. It becomes famous now. In this festival people visit hundreds of snow statues and ice sculptures. The theme of those statues is an event, famous building or person from the previous year. Visitors can also enjoy variety of traditional food there. However the Snow Festival is the biggest winter festival and attracts more than 2 million visitors every year.

HS/2019/1086 - Dushani Hansika

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The Songkran Festival is annually celebrated in April from the 13th to the 15th in Thailand. This is a famous festival and marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year. In this day, water is given a remarkable place and therefore this is also known as Water Splashing Festival. Mainly, the celebration is offered to Lord Buddha pouring water on Buddha statues. As well, the throwing of water is a major part that people enjoy throughout the festival involving with their family members and relatives. It is further important that they appreciate their ancestors. Therefore, this dawn of the New Year is special for Thai people and anyone who expects to visit Thailand in this festive season can celebrate Songkran alike.
HS/TE19/0009
Gayathri Madhurasinghe

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The Oktoberfest is a famous festival held in Munich, Bavaria in Germany. This festival takes place around sixteen to eighteen days from mid or late September to the first Sunday in October. This festival celebrates the marriage of Ludwig, the crown prince of Bavaria to princess Teresa. The Oktoberfest has been celebrated since 1810. This festival is also known as "The Beer Festival" and "Travelling Funfair". It can be indicated as one of the famous festivals all around the world. During this festival people drink large amounts of Beer. Roasted chicken, roasted pork, grilled fish, sausages, potato or flour dumplings, and cheese noodles are some popular traditional Oktoberfest food items. They go on parades and enjoy music. Moreover, people enjoy different types of games and occasions during this festival. In addition, people around six million worldwide attend to this festival. The Oktoberfest can be known as the largest folk festival in the world.
HS/TE19/0008
Randi Dissanayake

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The Dumpling festival is a colorful festival celebrated by chinese worldwide on the 5 th day of the 5th month of lunar calender .It is a yearly event and during  this day , the chinese will commonly feast on dumplings .
The Dumpling festival has a legend behind it. The story is "Quyuan" was a good minister but beacause of tragedy story of his life one day he tied himself to a rock and jumped into river.when the people get to know of his death they rowed their boats to the river to look for his body.when they failed to find his body. They scare the fishes and sea creatures away the body.after that others started making rice dumplings to throw into the river believing that the sea creatures and fishes will eat their dumplings instead of yuan's body.  It might be a naive belief, but the emotions were heartfelt and sincere .

HS/FT19/0029
Thejani Senathilaka

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This is a festival mainly celebrated in France and in some countries like Italy and USA. Mardi Gras marks the eating of food rich in fat and proteins before the commencement of ritual of fasting in the Lent season. Therefore, this is a catholic festival. The festival continues for seven days and it has being celebrated worldwide for centuries. Green , Gold and Purple are the traditional colours of Mardi Gras and crepes , beignets and waffles are the traditional food items made during this period decorated with the three traditional colours. Apart from food, carnivals and parades with vibrant decorations and people performing acts dressed in creative attire with elegant masks creates a festive atmosphere in Nice in France and in other cities like New Orleans and Venice adding the entertaining factor to the festival. Therefore, it has a religious as well as a cultural value continuing the tradition for many more years to come.
Hashara Peiris
HS/2019/0350

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The Lemon festival or la fête du Citron is a carnival event held every year at the end of winter in the city of Menton in France. This event upholds Menton's reputation as Europe's lemon capital while celebrating the annual production of lemon specialties  and other citron fruits. During this festival, the Biovès Gardens become filled with statues made of lemons and oranges. Then, in the afternoon they carry these sculptures dazzling in yellow and orange shades in a procession which is named as the "Golden Fruits Parade". The exhibition takes a new perspective at night with a magical display of the statues which are decorated with colorful lights.  Each year the creations and the parade is done according to a selected theme. Finally, at the end of the festival the fruits are sold at a very lower price.
Pavani Premarathne (HS/2019/0273)