Hence, the annual commemoration of Mardi gras is no exception, as it presents everything from feasts to parades! Literally meaning ‘Fat Tuesday’ in English, Mardi gras is known so since it takes place on the Tuesday that falls shortly prior to Ash Wednesday (the Wednesday that marks the onset of the Lent period, where Christians of all denominations observe sessions of fasting for the following 40 days i.e. till Easter Sunday). Since Lent emphasizes on religious virtues, a grand carnival is organized a day before for one and all!

Mardi gras (Carnival), Marseille, France by Say-Mars-Say-Yeah

Apart from the fun and games, what’s most interesting about this colourful carnival is its diversified history that led to its origin! The story goes –

• That a festival resembling the new-generation Mardi gras was organized every year somewhere during mid-February by the ancient Romans during the second century AD (before the settlement of Catholicism in Europe).

• Once Christianity was established, church priests decided that integrating this particular festival in synchronization to the religious agenda would deem suitable for all individuals, providing a means of enjoyment prior to observing Lent.

So, here we are! Ever since then Mardi gras is dedicatedly celebrated to cheer up the lives of many a person! If you closely observe the flamboyant parades that generally take place in most leading French cities during this season, some traits are common, such as –

• Flaunting a fattened ox in due course of the processions to signify delightfully succulent meaty treats!

• The three primary colours denoting a ‘mascot’ for Mardi gras: purple (for justice), green (for faith) and gold (for power). The finest of outfits and accessories donned by performers, especially masks are seen to be crafted with these three shades!

Due to the rise in popularity of Mardi gras in France, this festival slowly gained recognition in the American state of Louisiana too – primarily in its city of New Orleans. How exactly Mardi gras was introduced to America is not exactly known, for there were arrays of different tales in reference to it. Some say that in 1699, a French explorer named Sieur d’Iberville set up camp 60 miles south of New Orleans and introduced Mardi gras to its local natives. More folklore narrates that a bunch of students who had returned from Paris to Louisiana in 1827 paraded around the streets clad in costumes of purple, green and gold, and hence won the hearts of neighbouring residents, who then began to follow suit.

Needless to say, no matter how, when, why and where Mardi gras originated, the fact that it’s a festival enjoyed by all is enough to consider to keep its tradition going on for generations to come!

Author’s Bio

Megan Tyler  is a journalist and a veteran content writer. She has experience in copywriting and journalism. Presently she is exploring and writing on various subjects but at the moment appended with  Holiday in Namibia.

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Now I assume that you have noticed that Paris is a desired tourist destination for millions of tourists all over the world. The reason for this is the fact that the city has a lot to offer to everybody. It is great during any time of the year.

Now a few words about Halloween in Paris… well, first of all you need to start with finding the proper accommodation. Of course there are literally hundreds of hotels in Paris but the question you need to ask yourself is whether is worthy to spend a small fortune on accommodation rather than spend the same amount of money for fun. This is why I can offer you to rent a Paris apartment. I know it may sound silly but believe this is the best decision. Anyway you should know that they can be a little bit more expensive than Apartment in Berlin or even apartment in Rome but the investment is worthy. After finding the best you can afford you should go and take a walk on the city.

You will see many interesting things. Even some of the buildings are decorated. It is great because the city transforms into one amazing place and even if you are currently living in Paris you will have troubles recognizing the places you walk through daily.

Anyway like every major festival in a big city there are some troubles. For example crowds. So my advice to you is, if you don’t like crowds, to avoid places like downtown because they are pretty crammed up. Plus you might become a victim of pickpockets and believe me festivals like those are the perfect time for crime. Not that the police is not doing its job but you can imagine what it is to protect thousands of people dressed in different costumes.

As a whole Halloween in Paris is one great experience and if you have a chance you should certainly go and spend a few days there. The atmosphere is really great and I’m pretty sure that you will have a great time there. Enjoy your stay!

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Because of its American influences, Jazz was not initially well received in France, but once French musicians adopted their own style in the 1920´s, a take on traditional folk music and “gypsy jazz,” it became increasingly more popular and since the 1930´s has become a quintessential part of the French music scene.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by bastien09

The Beginnings of the Nice Jazz Festival

During the Second World War, the Americans ironically influenced the Parisian Jazz scene and their new and exciting brand of bop music caught the attention of Christian Estrosi, the Deputy Mayor of Nice. In 1948, he wanted to give something back to the people of the Cote d´Azur and on the 28th February, the world´s first ever Jazz festival was organised in Nice´s Pleyel auditorium.

Because the two styles conflicted with French audiences, the first festival got mixed reviews and unleashed passion and repulsion in equal measures from commentators. There was somewhat of a hostile feeling towards the new American style of bop whereas the “old French style,” was much revered.  It was a gap that would keep widening until the 1970´s when modern jazz partisans revolutionized American influences and again used the Nice Jazz Festival to pioneer the growing new trends.

One of the qualities of the Nice Jazz festival is to extend this special brand of music to a wider audience other than a restricted circle of Jazz connoisseurs and subsequently the spirit of open-mindedness would reach new peaks in 1972 with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach and Charles Mingus. Today Nice´s Jazz Festival stages a wide variety of Jazz influences and styles. These range from urban funk to gospel, urban funk and jazz originating from Africa.

There´s more to Nice than Jazz

Nice is recognised as a jewel in the crown of France´s glamorous Cote d´Azur and with its cosmopolitan ambience, radiant landscapes and relaxed atmosphere has plenty to offer sun seekers, culture vultures and sight-seers.

The stunning scenery along the Bay of Angels and the bustling promenade des Anglais is where most tourists and chic locals congregate, but if you want to escape the city limits, hire a car and drive into the surrounding hills. Art aficionados should visit the Matisse Museum and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC), whilst history buffs should head for the Roman ruins of Cemenelum and the Terra Armata museum.

Nice Jazz festival 2012

The week long Jazz Festival attracts in excess of 45,000 visitors so you are best to book your hotel early. There is plenty of affordable accommodation, but expect to pay somewhere in the region of €70-€100 a night for a three-star hotel. Alternatively you can get a guesthouse for around €45. If the location of the Jazz festival influences your choice of hotel the principal venues are gardens of Albert 1st and the gardens next to Place Masséna.

The line-up for this year´s festival will include (in alphabetical order):

• Ahmad Jamal,
• Avishai Cohen and Wynton Marsalis,
• Didier Lockwood,
• John McLaughlin & the 4th Dimension,
• Kind of Blue Revisited featuring Alex Tasses,
• Mike Stern,
• Rick Margitza and the former Miles Davis band,
• Roy Hargrove Quintet and
• the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra

The festival takes place between 8th – 12th July 2012.

Author Bio:

Nathan is a prolific writer who specializes in music and travel/holiday homes related articles. Having read this article why not book an apartment in Nice and go to see the festival for yourself?

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Here are some of the many cultural events which are held throughout the year:

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Sebastian Dooris

St. Patrick’s Festival

Festival of St. Patrick is annually held in Dublin (it was between 16th – 19th March this year). It is Ireland’s official national holiday and the celebration is full of parties, festive malls and night performances. But you will certainly not be bored elsewhere in the country! Almost every town and village organize celebrations of this day. During the festival you can stay in one of holiday homes in Dublin however the prices can be slightly increased.

Days of the Titanic

Easter Titanic Belfast Festival in Northern Ireland is dedicated to the famous ship that was constructed in Belfast and lasts for the whole week. The festival has a busy schedule, including special exhibitions and tours through many places where the Titanic came into the world. (31st March – 19th May 2012)

Waterways Ireland Fishing Festival

The main point of the most important fishing event called Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival is the race in classic fishing, which is annually attended by over 300 participants. It is held in Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland (30th April – 4th May 2012).

Writers’ Week

It is one of the world’s most respected literary festivals dedicated to writers, lectures and seminars held in Listowel, Ireland. (30th May – 3rd June 2012)

Summer horse racing

The Galway Horse Races are held in Ballybrit, Galway (30th July – 5th August 2012) and are known worldwide for its quality and exciting atmosphere.

The World Fleadh

The World Fleadh (August 2012) is considered the largest festival of Irish music. You can see concerts of artists from around the world, international competitions, or great Irish dance with the largest group throughout Ireland. There are also a number of alternative street performances.

International Festival of oysters

In Hillsborough town, in Northern Ireland you can participate in unique event called Hillsborough Oyster Festival (6th – 9th September 2012), which is known for great entertainment and excellent food.

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The main local attraction is the Turku Castle built in the 18th century, where you can visit a historical museum since 1881. Other important buildings are Turku Cathedral or Tuomiokirkko from the 13th century, open-air museum Luostarinmäki, located in Mount Vartiovuori – it is a part of the city which has survived from the 18th century.

There is also Orthodox Church, Brinkhall Manor, Kakskerta church, an old mill in Samppalinna, Church of Archangel Michael from 1905, Martin church from 1921, Turku Art Museum, Museum of pharmacy and museum Ett hem or home to a typical Finnish houses from the 18th century. In Turku, there are several festivals – the most famous is music festival Turku and Ruisrock Festival. There are 176,000 inhabitants living in Turku.

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Toruń‘s Old Town was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List as a World Heritage Site in 1997 and 10 years later it was added to the list of Seven Wonders of Poland.

For your visit to Toruń, you should reserve at least 2 days. The city is a charming especially after sunset, when the souvenir sellers and most tourists disappear from the streets. Best time to visit Toruń is from May to September. During the summer, there are lots of music, theater, gingerbread and other festivals in Toruń.

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Twenty days prior to the July 2nd race, a total of 10 contestants will be draw to compete in the first event of the year. The remaining 7 contestants will participate in the second event on August 16th; along with the top three contestants from the July race. Three days before each race, the contestants are assigned the horse that they will be running in the race.

The Palio di Siena is considered to be one of the most famous and historic of festivals in the whole of Italy which takes place every year in the Piazza del Campo square; a fan shaped earthen race track. The actual festivities of the event start on June 29th and will continue on until August 13th of each year.

Horse race, Palio di Siena, Tuscany, Italy by Janus Kinase

On race day, there is a special mass held in Siena where the contestants and their horses are blessed before the start of the competition. Trial runs are held until around 3 in the afternoon; after which a procession makes its way throughout the historic town center of Siena. The procession ends at the Piazza del Campo just in time for the 4:30 official start time of the Palio di Siena competition.

The race is composed of three laps around the Piazza del Campo which is roughly 1,000 meters in all. The winner wins a victory flag for their neighborhood known as the palio. It is a huge honor to win the Palio di Siena.

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