Festivals

Festivals are essential expressions of culture. They represent the identity of a country and a people. They remind us of where we came from, of our history and our values. These events tie us together as a community, allowing us to celebrate, grieve, and learn. With masks, music, and extravagant displays, we step outside the realm of the everyday and into a time of myth and legend. Beyond the stories we tell, there's also a very personal, religious experience that's tied into many festivals and celebrations. From sacred to just plain fun, the festivals in this book explore the culture, history, myth, and legend that bring people together to celebrate, commemorate, and pause to reflect. Learn about Tunisia's Festival of the Sahara, India's Diwali, and China's Tomb Sweeping Day. Discover combustible and free-spirited events like Burning Man and Holi as well as the Running of the Bulls, the Day of the Dead, and Carnival. And North America has its own newer traditions, such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, South by Southwest, and the Fourth of July. Festivals around the world give us the opportunity to be and become whomever we wish to be.