Asian cultural fare

Gloria Spittel takes in some exciting festivals on the continent

There is no shortage of cultural festivals around the year in Asia. If you are a Sri Lankan, then travelling specifically for a cultural festival may seem redundant given the many festivals that take place in the island. Yet, attending them can provide both entertainment and education, as some of these – like those that occur around the spring equinox or embody deeply different practices – offer rare insights into cultures that have thrived for millennia. And fascinating scrumptious food is also at hand!

If travelling for a cultural festival is not your goal, try attending one while on holiday. As there are so many around the year worldwide, finding one is only an internet search away. Here are some festivals for your consideration.

THAILAND Loi Krathong and Yi Peng were originally two festivals in some areas, which are celebrated together in November in Chiang Mai. Loi Krathong celebrates the tradition of making decorative baskets in which candles are placed and set afloat on rivers. Yi Peng is a festival of lights that honours Lord Buddha and is celebrated only in Northern Thailand.

INDIA Usually held at the end of November, the Pushkar Camel Fair in Rajasthan focusses on racing and trading approximately 50,000 camels, goats and other livestock. Other activities include competitions, cricket matches, and stalls selling jewellery, textiles and food.

MONGOLIA Held twice a year in September and October as Mongolia heads into winter, the ancient art of falconry depicts what is quintessentially Mongolian. The practice of using eagles for hunting has been observed for millennia especially by the Kazakhs in the west of the country. Set against the Altai Mountains, the eagle festival is simply fascinating.

CHINA Taking place between January and February, and now in its 35th edition, the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is an ode to craftsmanship and art. The festival showcases ice sculptures that range from small mythical creatures to 75 metre high monuments sculpted out of ice. The festival also has beautifully lit ice lanterns – a tradition in the northeast of China. JORDAN Held between July and August, the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts established in the 1980s includes poetry, music, theatre and dance performances from Jordan, the Middle East and elsewhere. The festival celebrates the East and West, and the old and new; and its popularity has grown so much in recent years that it has spread to other cities in Jordan.