In Turkish villages, people sometimes “fight” with words. Two people say funny or smart sentences to each other. They try to be the winner by speaking better. This is called a “verbal duel.” It happens at weddings or festivals. People watch and laugh. The goal is to be clever, not angry. It shows respect, culture, and good speaking skills.

​As Ramadan approaches, Cairo's historic markets are filled with lanterns of all sizes, made from glass, metal, and wood. Children wander the streets singing songs with their lanterns, keeping the spirit of sharing and community at the heart of the tradition. While modern LED-lit lanterns are popular today, the traditional handcrafted ones remain a shining part of Egyptian culture

The Tradition of Hand-Kissing in Turkish Culture

In Turkish culture, hand-kissing is a traditional gesture of respect, especially toward elders. It is commonly seen during holidays or family visits. The person kisses the elder’s hand and then touches it to their forehead, showing deep respect and appreciation.

This custom strengthens family ties and teaches younger generations the importance of respecting older people. It also reflects the value Turkish society places on manners and tradition.

Overall, hand-kissing is more than a habit—it's a symbol of love, respect, and strong family values in Turkish culture.

The highlight of the celebration is the dish that gives the tradition its name — tooth wheat. Boiled wheat is mixed with walnuts, pomegranate seeds, sugar, and chickpeas, then served to guests as a symbol of prosperity and fertility. The most entertaining part of the event is when various symbolic objects — such as a book, pencil, scissors, or money — are placed in front of the baby. The object the baby picks is believed to hint at their future profession.

Today, the Tooth Wheat Ceremony continues to thrive, enriched with modern touches. Families celebrate the day with colorful decorations, photos, and small gifts. Many share these joyful moments on social media, connecting past and present. Yet, what remains unchanged is the heart of the tradition — love, sharing, and the strength of family bonds. The Tooth Wheat Ceremony endures as a warm bridge between generations and a shining symbol of Turkish culture.

This ancient midsummer festival celebrates nature and love. Girls wear white dresses and flower crowns, dance in circles, and sing traditional songs. People believe that flowers picked on this day have magical healing powers. The Sânzienele are also said to bring good fortune and protect crops.

Romanians celebrate the arrival of spring by offering “mărțișoare” – small red and white trinkets tied with a string. Women and girls wear them throughout March as symbols of luck, health, and rebirth. It’s one of Romania’s most beloved and UNESCO-recognised traditions.

Before Easter, families dye and decorate eggs with intricate motifs using wax and natural dyes. Each region has distinct patterns and colours. Painted eggs symbolise new life and the Resurrection. The custom brings families together and preserves local artistic heritage.

Children visit homes early on January 1, holding decorated branches called “sorcove,” and recite wishes for health and prosperity. Adults offer them sweets or coins. The rhythmic chanting and colourful sorcove symbolise renewal and hope for the coming year.

This ancient ritual dance, listed by UNESCO, is performed by groups of men dressed in white with colorful ribbons and bells. Through acrobatic movements and chants, the dancers are believed to chase away evil spirits and bring fertility and health to the community.

On December 31, children and young people go from house to house reciting verses that celebrate farming life and wish for a rich harvest. They often carry small ploughs, bells, and whips. The tradition combines humour, rhythm, and agrarian symbolism.

In many Moldavian and Bucovinian villages, people wear animal masks and costumes between Christmas and New Year, performing dances and humorous skits. The Goat, the Bear, and the Stag dances are meant to drive away evil and bring joy for the new year.

During Christmas, groups of children or young people go from house to house singing carols. They bring good wishes for health, happiness, and prosperity. Hosts reward them with apples, nuts, or sweets. In villages, carolers sometimes wear traditional costumes and play instruments like the flute or accordion.

Saint George’s Day marks the beginning of the agricultural year. People decorate gates and animals with green branches to attract fertility and protection. It is believed that dew collected in the morning of this day has magical powers for health and beauty.

Every Romanian household prepares “cozonac,” a sweet bread filled with walnuts, cocoa, or Turkish delight. Baking it together symbolizes family unity, generosity, and celebration. The smell of cozonac is one of the most cherished memories of Romanian Christmas.

This spring ritual honours the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste. Families bake “mucenici” - dough figures shaped like the number eight, symbolising infinity and renewal. In Moldova, they are boiled with cinnamon and nuts; in Muntenia, they are baked and brushed with honey.

In times of drought, children or young girls, dressed in leaves and flowers, dance and sing through the village, asking for rain. Villagers sprinkle them with water as a symbolic request for the fertility of the land. This ancient ritual has pagan roots.

On the eve of Saint Demetrius’s Day, people light big bonfires to mark the end of the agricultural year. Children jump over the fire for good luck, and old items are burned to ward off evil. It symbolises purification and renewal.

In the cold months, villagers gather in one house to spin wool, weave, sing, and tell stories. It’s both a working and social event, preserving folk songs, crafts, and community spirit. Sezătoarea strengthens bonds between generations.

During the winter holidays, especially between Christmas and New Year, groups of masked dancers perform the Bear Dance. Dressed in real or imitation bear skins, with bells and red tassels, they dance to the rhythm of drums. The ritual symbolises the death and rebirth of nature, scaring away evil spirits and bringing good luck for the new year.

Also performed during winter festivities, the Capra (Goat) dance involves a wooden goat mask decorated with colourful fabrics, mirrors, and beads. The “goat” jumps and bows energetically while the group sings and plays instruments. The performance brings joy, fertility, and prosperity to households.

On Epiphany, after the church service, priests bless the waters, and young men compete to recover a wooden cross thrown into the river or lake. It’s a sign of courage and purity, and the one who retrieves the cross is said to be lucky all year.

On specific Saturdays before major religious feasts, families prepare food, bread, and wine, taking them to church to be blessed and shared in memory of their deceased relatives. It’s a deeply spiritual Moldavian custom of remembrance and generosity.

On the night of Saint Andrew (November 30), Moldavian girls place a sprig of basil under their pillow to dream of their future husband. It’s a playful and poetic tradition still cherished in villages.

Each village in Moldova has a hram - a celebration of its patron saint. After church, people share traditional food, music, and folk dances. It’s a time when relatives and friends reunite and honour community identity.

On the wedding morning, the bride’s friends and godmother help her get dressed while singing traditional songs. The bride’s veil or headscarf (maramă) is placed with emotion, marking her transition from girl to woman.

After the religious ceremony, everyone gathers to dance the hora around the bride and groom. Guests take turns dancing with the bride, often giving small gifts or money as blessings for prosperity.

During the wedding party, friends secretly “kidnap” the bride and take her to a nearby place (sometimes a bar or town square). The groom must “ransom” her - usually with a song, dance, or toast - bringing laughter and fun to the event.

It was imagined and carried out by the engineer Gustave Eiffel and his company, with essential contributions from two engineers, Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, as well as the architect Stephen Sauvestre.

The tower was built as the centerpiece of the 1889 World’s Fair, organized to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution and to showcase French industrial and scientific expertise to the world. Originally, it was meant to be dismantled after 20 years, but its usefulness as a telecommunications antenna ensured its preservation.

It was created by François Delarozière and Pierre Orefice. It is situated on the Nantes island in the shipyard park in the location of disused shipyard in 1987. Their creation was decided by the council of the urban community of Nantes in 2004.

They were inaugurated in 2007.

The Brioche Vendéenne is a traditional sweet bread from the Vendée region in the west of France. It has existed for many centuries and was usually made for celebrations such as weddings or Easter.

This brioche is made with flour, eggs, butter, sugar, milk, and sometimes vanilla or orange blossom water. Its typical braided shape and golden crust make it easy to recognize. Inside, it is very soft, light, and slightly sweet.

Today, the Brioche Vendéenne is an important symbol of the region’s culture and gastronomy. People eat it at breakfast or as a snack, and it is appreciated for its simple but delicious taste.

Today, July 14 is the national festival in France, durng this day, wee can see the lead of the French army with the president. and in the evening, there is firework.

The recipe was created in 18th century and his name was invented in 1880 by Charles Ménière.

According to traditions, once a week the families were meeting around the fire to eat the « fouées ».

Before in 1916 it was a iron and slate mine but it was close in 1936.

Today it's possible to visit the mine at 126 meters underground.

It's guided visit of 2 hours

Every year 46 000 peoples visit blue mine.

It's unique site in Europe

On 24th December we celebrate Christmas Eve. We eat seafood with the family in dinner and Christmas log. On 25th December, the day of Christmas we open presents.

On 31st December, the last day of the year, we celebrate the New Year's eve and, in evening, the president of the republic wishes everyone a happy new year. In dinner we eat seafood with the family. On the 1^st January at 0:00 am, the first day of the new year we said happy new year.

On 6th January we eat king's cake.

On 2nd February we eat pancakes.

During the 19th century, bakers modified the recipe and presentation of brioche by braiding it.

The famous brioche is made from flour, eggs, butter flavoured with orange blossom water or brandy (a typical strong alcoholic beverage), and finally, with or without cream.

There is a tradition at typical Vendée weddings called the brioche dance and it was established in 1949 and established for the benefit of prisoners of war at the time.

It consists of dancing late into the night at traditional Vendée weddings with a very large brioche in your arms.

It may seem like a rather unusual tradition, but this dance is really important to the people of Vendée.

It is usually eaten in the morning for breakfast and can be topped with various spreads.

Mélissa.P