You may not have been here but you recognize it immediately, canonized by countless movies and top TV shows New York is in many ways a world capital. Skyscrapers became architectural Icons, Empire state Building, Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Broadway, Times Square – to name just few exciting symbols of [...]

Finland is a forest. It is vital to Finnish identity. According to research, 3 out of every 4 Finns feel that the forest offers very real protection. Many also describe their experience of the forest in much the same way as they recall their earliest childhood experiences of security. The Finnish forest is calming, melodious, [...]

St Petersburg was called the new Babylon and the Palmyra of the North; it was compared to Rome and Venice. But none comparison or description can convey the essence of its unfathomable and changeable image. The architectural appearance, tragic fate and mystic aura of St Petersburg amaze all those who are familiarizing themselves with the city. [...]

Tanabata is a colorful Japanese festival celebrating the meeting of two stars Vega (Orihime) and Altair (Hikoboshi) once a year on 7th of July.  There is a Love Story behind the festival. The legend tells about a cowherd Hikoboshi and a weaving girl Orihime who leaved in different sides of the heaven Amanogawa River (Milky Way). [...]

One of the best time to visit Sardinia, festival of St. Efisio is held between May 1st 4th. This festival features one of the largest and most colorful processions in the world involving several thousand pilgrims wearing 16th and 17th century costumes. The processionists accompany the statue of the saint on foot, as well as [...]

New Year in Japan is a public celebration and a spiritual festival. On this day japanese make a symbolic first visit in a new year to a Shinto shrine or to a Buddhist temple. Many people want to be the first to meet rising sun in a shrine surroundings.  Burning amulets of the last year [...]

As Christmas time approaches, thoughts of children turn to Santa Claus. Around the world Santa Claus is known under different names. Jultomten (Christmas Elf) in Sweden, Julenissen in Norway, Saint Nicholas in central Europe. In Finnish Santa Claus – Joulupukki literally means Christmas goat. Long time ago he visited families in his grey fur and with wooden [...]

Celebrated on the first of November this day is a great chance for communal joy, with music, dancing, food and praying to honor ancestors. All Souls’ Day is prominently celebrated in Mexico, Guatemala, Bolivia, El Salvador and Peru. This day provides an opportunity to pass history and folklore knowledge to young generation, familiarize them with [...]

In past Christmas in the USA was celebrated as family and religious holiday. In the 20th century local communities started sponsoring organization of festival and public activities during the Christmas week so Christmas became more publicly celebrated. In 1923 President Coolidge lighted  the First National Christmas Tree in front of the White House leading to [...]