Don’t miss these cultural festivals taking place across the globe this month
1162
Year the Venice Carnival (8 to 25 February) dates back to, where it began as a celebration of the Venetian Republic’s victory over the ancient Roman city of Aquileia. Today, the festival sees revellers taking to the streets of the city while donning highly elaborate masks and costumes.
150,000
Approximate number of people the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (1 to 9 February) attracts every year. Covering theatre, music, film, dance, comedy and more, the festival takes place in the eponymous Kala Ghoda Arts Precinct in Mumbai.
7
Number of days over which the annual Barcelona Carnival (20 to 26 February) is held. A celebration of the beginning of Lent, starting on Fat Thursday and ending on Ash Wednesday, it features masked dances, colourful processions and fancy-dress parties.
5
The number of geisha districts in Kyoto. During the annual Yasaka Shrine Setsubun (2 to 3 February), which is held at the city’s 1,364-year-old Yasaka Shrine, maiko (apprentice geisha) from these districts dance and scatter soybeans for good luck.
>100,000
Total number of paper lanterns launched into the night sky during the Taiwan Lantern Festival (8 to 23 February). In the past, village watchmen in the mountain town of Pingxi used to release lanterns as signals to inform hiding residents that their homes were safe from raiding bandits.
To book a flight, visit singaporeair.com
SEE ALSO: 4 food festivals to look forward to in 2020
This article was originally published in the February 2020 issue of SilverKris magazine
