While holidayers and wine aficionados loll in luxury, sipping on a variety of wines at Sulafest, here I am chasing deadlines, with my fingers rapidly typing away on the keyboard and my nose glued to the monitor. If only I knew of this festival earlier, this cluttered desk of mine would have been left behind for a short vacation in the vineyard. With February overflowing with interesting events the world over, it’s still not too late to make it to the others. Or else there’s always next year.
| 1 | Trust the Argentineans to make a festival out of grape harvesting. In its 80th year, Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia in Mendoza (February 28 to March 8) is Argentina’s biggest wine event that is celebrated over 10 days. The highlight is the Queen’s White Way, where women from various provinces, dressed as queens, sit atop massive floats and go across the town, throwing grapes at the gathered masses. Additionally, there are song and dance events, fireworks, grape-crushing sessions, wine tasting and lots of wine, of course. By the end of it, all you’ll probably say is hic hic hic. |
| 2 | Sumo wrestlers in loin cloth – well, that’s nothing new. But have you witnessed hundreds of Japanese locals in nothing but that tiny white piece of cloth, braving the dipping mercury in the month of February (this year on the 20th of this month in Nara. But it also happens at various other parts of the country)? The Hadaka Matsuri festival has them chasing and clambering for the “lucky sacred sticks”. The one who manages to get hold of the shingi has to place it in a box full of rice, and is considered the lucky one till the next year, when someone else bags the title. |
| 3 | Talking of people dressed in hardly anything, the Polynesians on Easter Island take great pride in their Tapati Rapa Nui festival. Well, with that physique, they sure can afford to be skimpily clad. It’s a cultural celebration (organised during the first two weeks of this month), peppered with a fair amount of music, horse-racing competitions, traditional sports and their traditional dance form that involves a lot of hip movement. Haka Pei is the most awaited activity, where men perch on a structure made of banana tree trunks and slide down the slopes of a volcano. Spills and thrills guaranteed. The winner wears his wounds as a badge of pride. |
| 4 | While most of the world is huddled under woollies, this part of the globe is making the most of their short summer and how. New Zealand’s Splore festival in Auckland is a great way to soak up the sun. Held from the 19th to the 21st of this month, it brings together art and performance music in the green environs of the Tapapakanga Park. Dress up for a ball, or design outrageous outfits for an adventure; set up your tents, watch cinemas powered by bicycles, take in the tranquillity of the place and keep your eyes open, because it’s not just the popular names but also that trapeze artist, stilt walker or that midnight reveller who can take your breath away. |
| 5 | The winter and white carpets of shin-deep snow don’t bother the Quebecois. It’s just another excuse for them to have fun. Carnaval de Quebec is a 17-day-long affair, and has the city spilling to the streets, indulging in good old snow activities like dog sled, snowboarding, building snow sculptures, sliding down ice slides. |
The carnival first took place in 1894, but skipped a few years due to wars and an economic crisis. Bonhomme, the snowman, has been the mascot since 1955, also the year from when this event became an annual fixture. He’s a crowd favourite as is the night parade. And there’s a rather teeth-chattering challenge for the valiant ones. Chug down a few tipples and try the snow bath that involves a few dips into the snow, clad only in your swimsuit. A serving of poutine and pea soup and I bet you’ll be all warm again.
(A monthly column that directs travellers to unusual festivals across the world.)