Did You Know?

Did you know that the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in China showcases breathtaking sculptures made entirely of ice and snow? This winter wonderland festival spans across multiple city blocks and attracts millions of visitors each year.

Did you know that the Carnival of Venice, famous for its elaborate masks and costumes, originated in the 12th century and was initially a time for people to mix and socialize anonymously regardless of their social status? The masks allowed individuals to set aside societal roles and freely engage in festivities.

Did you know that the Holi festival in India, known as the Festival of Colors, marks the arrival of spring and is celebrated by throwing vibrant colored powders and water at each other? It's a joyful and lively celebration of love, unity, and the victory of good over evil.

Did you know that the world's largest food fight takes place during the La Tomatina festival in Buñol, Spain? Participants throw over 150,000 tomatoes at each other in a friendly, tomato-based battle.

Did you know that the Lantern Festival in Taiwan, also known as the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, holds the Guinness World Record for the most lanterns simultaneously released? In 2020, over 120,000 lanterns lit up the night sky during the festival.

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Unleash Your Inner Artist At The World Body Painting Festival

Body painting is nothing new; ancient tribes have practised this art for millennia. This festival, held annually since 1998 in early July in the southern part of Austria, brings together professional body painters (the world championships are judged at this event), as well as make-up artists and special effects creators. The variety of styles and designs is massive. Be forewarned, however, nudity is involved.

About 30,000 people attend the festival in Klagenfurt that uses the human body as an art canvas. People from 50 countries attend and compete, so it’s also a polyglot of language and culture. In one word, it’s: colourful!

In addition to the body painting competition, the festival offers fashion shows, live music, a market with clothing, tattoo artists and piercing options, experimental performance art, dance, and even a children’s program with a yoga component. We have a hunch that while this festival may currently appeal to only certain tastes, it will gain in popularity over time. The human body truly is a work of art.