Now here’s one for all you Western aficionados – or would be cowboys! Step back in time and experience what the old west was really like, with many folk dressed in period costume to give an authentic feel to the events.
Held on this year on 20th - 23rd August 2008 at Kanab USA it’s jammed packed with everything fans of the wild west could only dream of seeing – and participate in.
Experience 3 days on a WAGON TRAIN….this starts at Alton Utah at 6.00pm on 20th August and gives a 3 days and 2 nights of a true western experience with dinners served around the campfire, ride in one of the wagons or ride a horse – for full details and prices check out the web site at http://www.westernlegendsroundup.com
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Many of the Ladakh festivals take place in winter which is a relatively idle time for the majority of the locals, but the Thak Thok (pronounced Tak Tak) festival takes place in the on the 20-29 of the ninth Tibetan month (around the 11th / 12th August).
Thak Thok means ‘top of the rocks’ and is 4-km up the valley from Chemrey on a lumpy outcrop of eroded rocks, and the small Gompa (fortified place or monastery of learning) here is the sole representative in Ladakh of the ancient Nyingmapa order. The wonderful monasteries are fanstastic centres of Buddhist art, literature and culture and Thak Thok has many new temples adorned with gleaming new Buddha’s and garish modern murals and has a sacred meditation cave at the centre. Many of the festivals take the form of dance dramas (including the secret masked dance) and take place in the gompa courtyards that are meant to revitalise the spirit of the people.
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Sun 27th July 2008 at 12:20 PM, Filed in Far East, July
On the 11th to 13th every July Mongolia holds its ‘national games’ (also known as ‘Eriin Gurvan’) showcasing Mongolia’s three games of men (horse racing, archery and wrestling). Some say the festival stared in the 1920’s whilst others claim it is centuries old. Whilst celebrations are held throughout the country the main games are held in Ulan Bator and on the open steppes just outside the city.
Details of the games:
- Opening Ceremony – where monks, soldiers and athletes parade in colourful Genghis Khan style costumes
- Wrestling – Mongolian wrestling is similar to sumo wrestling and is the only actual all male event. The bouts are not timed and a competitior loses if they touch the ground
- Archery – men shoot over a distance of 75meters and women over 60 meters.
- Horse Riding – this event dominates day 2 and Mongolians are renowned horsemen (and children). The races are broken down into different ages of horse. The youngest horses (1 year olds) race 15km whilst the older horses race over 30km. There are around 400 participants in every race and the horses reach speed of up to 80 km per hour. Riders are all children, some as young as 5 and it said that Mongolian children learn to ride before they can walk!
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Sun 20th July 2008 at 03:58 PM, Filed in Europe, July
This festival could be called ‘son of the Burning Man’ as it adheres to the same principles (see Burning Man Article) – nothing is for sale there (‘no commerce’ – although bartering is encouraged), you have to bring your own food, drink etc (radical self reliance) and leave no trace of your camp (you have responsibility for taking away your own rubbish). It is held in a Northern Spanish dessert / windy mountainside early in July so be prepared for a fairly hostile environment – temperatures of 30C plus are common and 48% humidity.
Camp
Participants are encouraged, even expected to bring their own art installations and join in the ‘radical self expression’. Mere spectating is discouraged. However, participation comes in many forms, you could provide the gift of manicures or massage, even singing or other performances would count. If you don’t feel you have any such skills to contribute you could offer help in the set up and / or clearing away of camp.
Nowhere participant
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Tue 8th July 2008 at 01:42 AM, Filed in Europe, July
14th July is the closest thing the French have to an independence day. It is designated as a French national holiday and commemorates the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille when France did away with their Monarchy and made the first moves towards becoming a republic.
Whilst events take place all over France, Paris is the place to be. There is a huge military parade in the Champs Elysee led by army cadets and the fire service get the biggest cheers. The red arrows put on a display to accompany the parade between the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde. Large firework displays are staged. A chosen few will attend a garden party at the Palais de l’Elysee held by the elected president.
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