Colours fill the field, floral fragrance wafts through the air and the warm wind brings laughter and joy―spring is here, and it’s time to party!
Since spring is the most vibrant and liveliest of seasons, it’s natural for many cultures to kick back, celebrate and just make merry.
To give you a small taste of the joys of spring, here is a small sample of the various spring festivals around the world.
Holi
Date: March 25 (2024)
Revelers gleefully tossing red, green, blue, yellow and multicolored powder at each other, throwing up clouds of smoke that mask those within, save for their smiles and laughter. This festive sight is one of the most recognizable symbols and festivals of India, which is known as Holi!
Although powder-throwing is the most recognized traditions of this festival, Holi actually involves a rich variety of customs and accompanying myths, which is very fitting for a land of diverse peoples such as India.
One myth suggests that Holi was a celebration of the love between the Hindu deities Radha and Krishna, where Krishna playfully coloured Radha’s face to hide his embarrassment over his skin color. Thus, modern revelers began throwing plant or herb-based powders onto each other as a sign of love and affection (not to mention fun!).
Another legend says that Holi celebrates the victory of the god Vishnu and his disciple Prahlada over the evil King Hiranyakashipu, where Prahlada survives an execution by pyre ordered by the evil king, who in turn was defeated by Vishnu. This is why large pyres or bonfires are burnt the night before Holi in North India.
Whichever the myth, Holi usually takes place on a full moon around the start of spring, making it a wondrous celebration of life, love and good in the world!
Easter in Corfu
Date: March 30
Although Easter is widely celebrated in Europe, the island of Corfu gives this spring festival their very own smashing twist!
Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is usually celebrated pretty seriously by the devout Greek Orthodox and Catholic communities on this western Greek island. Marching bands and religious processions are held with hymn-singing in churches and the dyeing of Easter eggs red to symbolize rebirth.
But, where the Corfiots really let loose is during Holy Saturday. On this day, in the Old City, you will see hundreds of people lined up at balconies decorated with festive red and gold-trimmed banners. They will hoist up large, water-filled clay pots adorned with red paint and Greek motifs, balancing them on the balcony railing. With crowds of bystanders watching below, they will then tip water out as a warning for the mayhem to come. Once the first bells ring from the Saint Spyridon Church, they will tip these crimson pots down onto the street, smashing them into hundreds of wet pieces as the street cheers on wildly!
Said to be introduced by occupying Venetians who would throw out their old belongings to welcome the new, the Corfiots replaced it with clay pots instead, and the rest is history. Some also say that it symbolizes the earth-shattering rebirth of Jesus as depicted in the bible, along with the rebirth of spring!
Nowruz
Date: 20 March
Originating from the Zoroastrian religion and the Persian Empire, Nowruz or “New Day” is said to celebrate the Iranian King Jamshid banishing winter by creating a jewel-encrusted throne that rose to the sky. It was also said to mark the retreat of the Spirit of Winter and the welcoming of the Spirit of Noon back into the world in spring, which is fitting as Nowruz takes place during the spring equinox.
Whichever the case, it is now mainly celebrated in Iranian and Kurdish communities alongside millions of diverse peoples across Central and Western Asia.
In Iran and some Kurdish communities, the main star of the show is the haftseen table, a table decorated with seven items that represent spring, all beginning with the Persian letter “sin” or “s”, such as sabzeh (sprouted wheatgrass), sib (apple) and serekh (vinegar). Other items on display may include religious texts such as the Quran, mirrors or even candles. Not only that, there are also appearances by mythical characters such as Amu Nowruz, an old man who comes bearing gifts, akin to Santa Claus!
For the Kurds, Nowruz is a festival of fire, with large bonfires alongside revelers leaping over smaller fires. Spoon-banging in disguise while asking for gifts and sweets is also another beloved tradition during this period.
Infiorata Festivals
Date: Late May – Early June
Celebrated throughout Central and Southern Italy, “Infiorata” or “flower drawing” are spring festivals that involves thousands of participants creating mosaics made from flowers and natural materials on streets.
Originating from 17th century Rome as part of the Feast of Corpus Christi, the mosaics -which can stretch up to 2,000 square meters and 120 meters – typically depict scenes from religion, myth or simply intricate patterns. all the while using flowers such as fennel and carnation to literally paint the town red!
As most of the flowers used are seasonal, preparations can take up to a year and use millions of individual flower petals to create art that reminds one of glass-stained or Renaissance art. Accompanying these remarkable displays are processions, parades and markets.
One of the most famous Infiorata festivals is held at the town of Noto in Sicily, which is heavily steeped in classical Baroque architecture. The main venue is located on the central Nicolaci street, named after the Nicolaci family whose palace lines the street. Here floral artisans transform a plain, cobbled street into a magnificent multicoloured display, playing not just with shapes, colours and patterns but also textures that rise and fall―all with flowers and leaves!
And what’s the best way to dismantle such a beautiful work of art? By letting children play with them of course! In the town of Genzano, children are let loose from the church of Santa Maria della Cima to frolic around the flowers!
Valencia Fallas
Date: March 15 – 19 (celebrations start on March 1)
If you’re looking for a reason to party for 3 weeks nonstop, then it’s hard to find something better than the Valencia Fallas in Spain!
The Fallas or “torch” in Spanish is said to have begun from Valencian carpenters burning the wooden planks used to hold their candles during spring to mark the end of winter. These little bonfires would eventually grow to include rugs, rags and clothing that turned these piles of discarded objects into human-like figures or ninots, often with a mocking or satirical theme to them. The festival also coincides with the spring equinox and the celebration of Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters.
In any case, today, these ninots figures and fallas monuments have become exquisitely detailed masterpieces which involve upwards of hundreds of artisan groups creating 500-700 ninots figures with wax, wood, paper and polystyrene foam. These figures usually depict current events and popular celebrities with gleeful satire―some goofy, some strange, but all a wonder to behold.
Still, all good things must come to an end. After a pair of ninots are crowned Ninots Indultats, to be saved and displayed in a local museum, the rest are burned on the 19th night. All night, feverish festivities, raucous firecrackers and cheers send off one of Spain’s most charming festivals.
Besides fallas, dozens of other events and activities are sure to keep you busy throughout these three weeks. There are the daily afternoon fireworks of Mascletà at 2pm daily along with the nightly fireworks culminating in the grand Nit del Foc on the night of the 18th. There are also flower offerings to the giant figure of Valencia’s patron saint Virgen de los Desamparados, in true Valencian fashion.
