Long back Festival was an event that used to gather people of same religion or nationality . But now festival is not limited to just religious beliefs, and have crossed the national borders to unite people having same interest from all over the world and create festival tourism.
For festive tourists most important of which seems to be the exotic culture, presented during the events. Besides, tourists want to attend events of unusual and unique atmosphere, interact with people of similar interests, and get to Know more about the world.
Festivals are varied, uncommon events, not connected with work, they celebrate elements significant in the life of a given community, consolidating it, they are often related to the culture and religion of local communities, they often consist of many different social and cultural events, they are often regular events connected with art and culture. Sometimes they are combined with competitions.
The tourism where the aim is to attend festivals is treated as a part of event tourism.
Let’s have a look on some of the famous festivals for which people Travel 1000 kms and spend huge amount of money.
Running of The Bulls – Pamplona, Spain
Remember that climax from the film “Zindagi na milegi dobara”? Hrithik, Farhan, Abhay running through the small streets of Spain trying to save themselves from those scary bulls?
Yess it wasn’t a Bollywood masala.. it is a huge festival of Spain.
The Running of the Bulls is a part of the famous San Fermin festival. In this event people who have participated have to run in front of a small group of bulls (typically a dozen) that have been let loose on a course of a sectioned-off subset of a town’s streets. Timing of the so called race is fixed. A first rocket is set off at 8 in the morning to alert the runners that the corral gate is open. A second rocket signals that all six bulls have been released. The third and fourth rockets are signals that all of the herd has entered the bullring and its corral respectively, marking the end of the event. Every year around 200-300 people get injured during the run, although most injuries are contusions due to falls and are not serious. But one can try his/her luck if you want to take a lifetime experience. So planning your next visit to Pamplona?
Carnival of Venice – Venice, Italy
900 years old carnival that still has it’s charm on the minds of people living in Italy.
One time of the year everybody present in the city is free to do the things they desire without any restrictions or guilt and did I forgot to mention not getting cought?? seems like fairy tale?? But you can experience this all by yourself.
During this festival Venice is the most alive city in Italy or should I say Europe… Canals of the city are full of colourful boats, streets have people wearing various kinds of masks, jugglers, bands and other entertainers are there to make sure to add spice to the fest.
Even the nights are all about parties and masked balls.
La Tomatina – Spain
The Bunol where people come together to throw crushed tomatoes at each other for fun.
this is one festival you just cannot miss.
Tomato fights or the enormous water showers that follows after the tomato fight, la tomatina is one event that makes you dance.
Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany
Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. Festival is celebrateed for 16days in late September to the first weekend in October with more than 6 million people from around the world attending the event every year.
The event is all about beer, beer and only beer. Just imagine you are in the capital of Germany sitting in a cafe and all you see and smell is traditional huge glasses filled with beer.
Next time, when you plan your visit to Europe make sure you at least witness one of them.
Backpacker 07🧗🏕️ 