The first resolution in your New Year’s resolutions checklist should be to go out much more and reduce screen time or time spent on your desk. Let this new year be an opportunity to explore different cultures and interact with other ethnic groups. A great way to do this is to attend some historic festivals catered to celebrating art, creativity, and fashion. Here are some of the remarkable festivals to expect this year.
The Carnival of Venice
You have probably watched the animation Rio and got a glimpse of what a carnival looks like. The Carnival of Venice brings this experience to life through their annual Carnival in the floating city. The festival attracts people worldwide who come to witness the spectacular riot of color, sound, and spectacle. The revelers wear elaborate masks, extraordinary costumes, and historic enactments. The fear of not standing out during the festival should not discourage you from wearing simple clothes, white nail polish or attending the festival. The festival lasts for two weeks before the beginning of Lent.
Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival
The famous frozen animation portrays a scene where Anna builds a castle of Ice. Can you imagine stepping into an ice city in real life? You might think it is impossible, but China has been able to accomplish this through the Berlin Ice Festival. Other than viewing the spectacular ice and snow sculptures, the festival is highlighted by winter sports, winter activities, ice sculpture competitions, and entertaining parades. The festival opens around Dec 20 but is officially opened on Jan 5 and lasts until the end of February as snow and ice melt. Visitors are advised to avoid visiting during Chinese New Year (Feb 9-15) as the streets are flooded with locals and the hotels are expensive.
Art Dubai
Art Dubai is an event that is highly anticipated by art enthusiasts from all over the world. The art gallery displays contemporary, digital, modern, and Bawwaba art pieces from over 400 artists from 40 countries. Art Dubai is a three-day event that involves artist-led workshops for children, educational programs, conferences, and installations. The Art Dubai is set to take place from the 1st to the 3rd of March in Madinat Jumeirah. While visiting Dubai, wear modest clothing to respect the local culture.
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin Film Festival, or the Berlinale, is the most prestigious in Berlin, Germany. The festival mainly showcases groundbreaking films that push the boundaries of traditional storytelling and filmmaking techniques, including virtual reality experiences and interactive narratives. The featured films showcase pressing issues like human conditions, underrepresented voices, social justice issues, and environmental crises and raise awareness of our relationship with the planet.
The festival also aims at paying tribute to legendary filmmakers, actors, or key moments in cinema history. Berlin’s extensive transport system provides visitors with a network to explore the city’s rich history and vibrant nightlife.
The Milan Fashion Week, Coachella, Melbourne Design Week, Frieze New York, Bali Arts Festival, and Vivid Sydney are also some of the various festivals you can propose to attend during the year.
