Still deciding on a summer trip? If you are thinking about going somewhere in the month of June, then consider one of the following places where you will have the opportunity to also experience something special. Below we have compiled a list of possibly the best international festivals held in June.
Duanwu Jié (Dragon Boat Festival) | International Festivals
Húnán province, China June 2, 2014
Although celebrated for over 2,000 years, the Dragon Boat Festival only recently became an official national holiday in China. Held on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar, the festival commemorates the patriotic poet, Qu Yuan, who killed himself over the fighting between the warring states.
As a minister in the State of Chu, one of the seven warring states in China’s first feudal dynasty, Qu Yuan supported the decision to fight against the State of Qin. After being exiled, it is said that he decided to drown himself in the river rather than see his country occupied. The dragon boats symbolize a way of keeping evil spirits from consuming his body.
El Colacho (Baby-Jumping Festival) | International Festivals
Burgos, Spain June 22, 2014
Baby jumping, El Colacho, is a traditional Spanish practice dating back to 1620. It takes place every year at the end of the feast of Corpus Christi. Held in the village of Castrillo de Murcia near the city of Burgos in central Spain, this unusual practice is said to ward off evil spirits. Parents bravely place their babies in a row on a mattress
in the village central square. A man, dressed in yellow and red symbolizing the devil, takes a running start and jumps over the babies! Known as “El Salto de Colacho” or the “Devil’s Jump,” it is the culmination of the celebration of Corpus Christi. Parents can only hope that he has practiced the jump.
Isle of Wight Festival (Music Festival) | International Festivals
Isle of Wight, England June 12-15, 2014
The Isle of Wight Festival is an annual music festival that takes place on the Isle of Wight, England in mid-June. Many well known artists have performed there, including The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Robert Plant, David Bowie, The Who, The Police, Jay-Z and Blondie. This year the festival will feature artists such as
Boy George, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Kings of Leon. The first festival took place in 1968. By 1970, it had become so popular that the British Parliament passed a law to prevent gatherings of over 5,000 people without a licence. This has not stopped people from attending in growing numbers.
Lajkonik Festival (Victory Over Tartars)
Krakow, Poland June 26, 2014
The Lajkonik Festival takes place in Krakow, Poland on the Thursday after Corpus Christi. It is best known for the procession through the old city celebrating the Polish defeat of the Tartars in 1241. According to legend, Krakow’s leader of the defensive raftsmen beat the invading Tatars and then rode into the city.
Celebrated in Poland for over 200 years, Lajkonik parades through the city dressed as a Mongolian warrior and dancing his way to the main square, where the mayor presents him with a ransom and a goblet of wine. On the way, he collects ransom and strikes onlookers with his golden mace which is said to bring good luck.
St Anthony’s Feast (Sardine Festival) | International Festivals
Lisbon, Portugal June 12, 2014
On St Anthony’s feast day the Portuguese capital turns into a sardine capital as the streets in the city’s oldest quarter fill with the smell of sardines being grilled outside houses and restaurants everywhere. The festival is also a time for love and marriage prospects as St Anthony is also the patron saint of marriage.
The tradition can be traced back to an event which is said to have taken place during St. Anthony’s historic visit to Rimini, Italy. Unable to interest the locals in his sermons, legend has it that he walked towards the shore where a row of fish came out of the sea to listen to him, this in turn attracted the townspeople.
WaterFire Festival (Art Festival) | International Festivals
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. June 14 – 28, 2014
A sculpture installed on the rivers of downtown Providence, WaterFire has grown into an annual public art event. Originally created in 1994 in celebration of the tenth anniversary of First Night in Providence, it has been transformed into a festival of the arts.
Internationally known for its numerous (over 100) bonfires which light up the city during the summer months, the city’s WaterFire Park located along the waterfront at the point where the three rivers of pass through the city’s center becomes the focal point of the festival.
Regatta of Saint Ranieri (Boat Racing Festival)
Pisa, Italy June 17, 2014
The Italian city of Pisa hosts an annual regatta race up the River Arno, a tradition which dates back to the 1290’s. Named after the patron saint of Pisa, Saint Ranieri, each year locals from the four quarters of the city challenge each other to a boat race.
Four rowboats, each colored to represent the city’s four districts, have a steersman, a climber, and 8 oarsmen who row 1,500 meters against the river’s current. The fastest boat is not necessarily the winner, but rather victory depends on the ability of the boat’s climber to grab a flag at the top of a pole on a boat at the finish line.
Inti Raymi (Sun God Festival) | International Festivals
Cusco, Peru June 24, 2014
Inti Raymi, or the Festival of the Sun, is an ancient Inca religious ceremony held in honor of Inti, the God of the Sun, and in celebration of the Inca New Year which coincides with the winter solstice. During the festival sacrifices were typically dedicated to Inti’s wife, the goddess of fertility, to ensure a good harvest.
Inti Raymisymbolizes the eternal bond between the Sun god and man. It was the most important festival of the Inca Empire. Banned by the Spaniards, it became a holiday again in 1944, and today it is the second largest festival among indigenous cultures in the Andes.
Batalla de Vino (Wine Festival) | International Festivals
Haro, Spain June 27-29, 2014
On St Pedro’s Day in Haro, capital of northern Spain’s Rioja wine region, thousands of people take to the streets holding water pistols filled with what else but wine. Often the participants will use a supersoaker or a spray can to make things more interesting. The more traditional method is to fill gourds, buckets, bottles or old boots with wine, and then drink while drenching oneself and everyone else. The annual Haro Wine Festival, or the Battle of Wine Festival, takes place on the feast day of the city’s patron saint. The goal is to have as much fun as possible with the wines of the region!
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com