3 Unique Festivals Of Light And The Role Of Translation Services

Festivals of light are held all around the world and each culture has its own unique way of celebrating. Here are some of the most unique festivals of light and how translation services play an important role in each of them.

iLight Singapore and the Role of Interpretation and Translation Services

With so many lights being lit, it’s natural to wonder about the source of electricity used. But don’t worry: the i Light Festival in Singapore exclusively only uses sustainable energy sources. The festival held in Marina Bay was first introduced in 2010 and takes place in February of each year. The artworks are created by Singaporean and international artists using only environmental-friendly materials in order to encourage visitors to adopt sustainability into their daily lives. This year’s theme was the color blue. This theme was chosen deliberately to emphasize all different emotions and thoughts light can make you perceive like how watching ocean waves hit the coast make you get excited or how watching the clear blue sky on a warm summer day can fill you with peace. To perfectly capture the concept and imagination of all international artists, translation and interpretation services are crucial to preparing for the festival each year.

Dev Diwali, India and the Role of Interpreting Services

Dev Diwali is more than just a festival of lights; it’s the festival of the Gods taking place in the holiest city in the Hindu mythology, Varanasi. The festival falls on a full moon night of the Hindu month of Kartika and lasts for 15 days. This year the festival falls on November. This day is believed to be celebrated by the Gods to mark the victory of Lord Shiva, who defeated and killed a powerful demon. It is believed that on this day, the Gods descend from heaven to celebrate. To welcome the Gods and to celebrate this day, millions of diyas (earthen lamps) and lights are lit up and released onto the river to make it look like a stairway to heaven. Eating mithai or sweets is a must on this day as well. In order to truly capture the importance of this festival for the Hindu community using interpreting services is crucial. Having an interpretation service on site will allow participants to understand the meaning and beauty of the breathtaking spectacle.

Las Fallas Valencia, Spain and the Role of Translation Services

Even though this festival does not use conventional lighting, it’s definitely a special time considering UNESCO declared it part of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The festival starts on March 1^st and last for 19 consecutive days with each day offering different traditional and non-traditional activities to do. But, before digging deeper into the festivities, it’s important to know the origin of Las Fallas. Las Fallas is an old carpenter’s tradition where the arrival of spring was celebrated by burning pieces of wood that were used to prop up lights during winter. Villagers gradually formed a wooden structure out of old belongings and rags  to create a ninot (an human effigy). After the mayor announces the start of the festival on the first day, loud fireworks explode. After March 15^th , the ninots are set up and the best ones are granted an award signifying that they will be burnt last. All the other ninots are burnt down on the last day of the festival, causing the whole city to light up. Like the other festival, interpretation and translation services play an important role for Las Fallas. Through interpreting services, the experience in Valencia becomes unforgettable, since you will get to hear first-hand about the thing you witness. Translation services on the other hand play a slightly different role.  To share in the Intangible Heritage of Humanity and its message with the world, translating important information about the festival is the best way to spread its appeal.

The Role of Localization Services

Just like the light used in the different festivals, translation and interpreting services are a way of communicating human emotions and ideas. Yet, in order to convey one’s message even more accurately, it is important to use localization services. Global localization and marketing translation services help organizations communicate effectively with their customers by by adapting content to fit specific cultural contexts. As a 30 year translation and localization veteran, Language Connections is uniquely positioned to help you succeed whether you are planning a global marketing campaign or even running a global festival.