1. FESTIVALS IN EUROPE

2. THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS or FESTIVAL OF SAN FERMIN  WHEN: July 6 – July 14  WHERE: Pamplona, Spain  WHY: It started as a the tradition of bringing the bulls to the market in the 4 th century in conjunction with commercial fairs, with over confident men showing off by jumping in front of the bulls as some were moved to the bull fighting ring. Its named after Saint Fermin, a Catholic martyr.  WHAT IS IT LIKE TODAY: It’s a lot more than just the running of the bulls, but that’s the most well known part. Hundreds of people run down the narrow streets of the oldest part of Pamplona in front of 6 bulls and 6 steers (who actually lead the bulls where they are supposed to go but are not as aggresive. Since 1925, 15 people have been killed and each year 200 – 300 people are injured, although most not seriously.

3. TOUR DE FRANCE  WHEN: Primarily in July  WHERE: All around France  WHY: It started as a way of promoting a newspaper. The race the became popular and has been held yearly since 1903 except for during World War I and II.  WHAT IS IT LIKE TODAY: Tours are usually based on 21 daily stages around 2,200 miles with changes every year. Cyclists are transported by train in between legs of the race. It is by far the largest cycling race in the world – teams come from all over the world.

4. OKTOBERFEST  WHEN: 16 days from the end of September into October (it ends on the first Sunday in October.)  WHERE: Munich, Bavaria, Germany  WHY: Then Prince Ludwig I was married to Princess Therese on October 12, 1810. The citizens of Bavaria were invited to participate in the celebration of this happy event. The end of the celebration was a series of horse races. They decided to continue the horse races and the rest of the party (and drinking) came along eventually meshing into modern day Oktoberfest. They also moved it earlier in October to take advantage of better weather. No Oktoberfest was held in during the World Wars or in 1923 – 1924 due to the Depression.  WHAT IS IT LIKE TODAY:  The horse races ended in 1960.  It’s mostly about drinking beer, but only drinking official Bavarian beer with 6% alcohol (more than twice the amount of the limit of Utah beer 2.3%.) Lots of people overestimate their ability to drink because it is more alcohol and end up passing out – called bierleichen. Lots of people wear traditional Bavarian dress.

6. ST. PATRICK’S DAY or THE FEAST OF SAINT PATRICK  WHEN: March 17  WHERE: All across Ireland (and it has axpanded topeople of Irish descent across the world and those who wish they were.)  WHY: First recognized as a Christian feast day in the 1700s. It became an official holiday in the Ireland in 1903. St. Patrick was one of the key figures in bringing Christianity to Ireland in the 400s. He used the shamrock to teach the doctrine of the Trinity. Over the course of the 20 th century, it changed from a mostly religious celebration to a holiday celebrating the culture of Ireland, especially as the government began pushing for it to be a world-class celebration that people would want to travel to see. Interestingly, blue was much more associated anciently with St. Patrick.  WHAT IS IT LIKE TODAY: There’s very little religion left in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Ireland. The government has specifically tried to make it more inclusive. Today, it’s a week long celebration in Ireland with parades and carnivals and a lot of alcohol.

7. CARNEVALE SIMILAR TO CARNIVAL IN RIO DE JANEIRO OR MARDI GRAS IN NEW ORLEANS  WHEN: 40 days before Easter (March 4 in 2014) (though the celebration starts more than a week before)  WHERE: Venice, Italy  WHY: Carnevale is a celebration before Lent. Lent is the 40 days before Easter in which some Christian denominations give up a food or luxury. Before “giving up” something for Lent, they have a large celebration. Carnevale in Venice dates back to 1162. Masks have always been a feature of Venice’s Carnivale with several different types that represented the employment of the wearer. Why the masks were used is unknown, but it likely had to do with the social classes of the time period.  WHAT IS IT LIKE TODAY: This festival died out in the 1800s, but resurfaced in 1989. Unlike Mardi Gras in New Orleans or Carnival in Rio, it’s a formal affair. Street performances are around as well as all-day theater performances. People spend much of Carnevale wandering the streets of Venice, soaking in the ambiance of the famous historical city while admiring the many different types of masks and traditional 18 th century costumes. The mask allows people to adopt an alter-ego and act out of their normal routines. The end of the celebration is a massive parade.

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