Region: Mexico
Considered to be one of the oldest celebrations in Mexico that takes place in the state of Aguascalientes, the annual event starts in April or May and lasts for about three weeks.
The fair hosts about 2,000 events: some traditional, like cockfights, a rodeo-like sport–charreria, a livestock exhibition and bullfights. Some reputed bullfighters from Mexico, Spain and other countries come to defend their reputations in the Plaza de Toros San Marcos, where one of the most important bullfighting festivals takes place.
Popular in Panache
What began as a cattle and harvest fair has now metamorphosed into a ‘National Fair’. Today, this is a street fair when the residents of this otherwise bustling city come to the streets to celebrate the arrival of spring.
QUITE WEIRD: ‘The Day of the Dead’ are some of the unique celebrations held in Mexico
SAHARA DOUZ FESTIVAL
Region: Douz, Tunisia
Celebrated every year in the African country of Tunisia during December, it remains an attempt to keep the spirit of desert life alive. The highlights of the four-day festival include celebrations in the H’naiech stadium in front of the desert surrounded by Bedouin tents. Camel marathons, fantasiagalloping Arab horses ridden by daring riders, a Bedouin marriage, sloughi desert hunting dogs, catching rabbits are the principal features.
Douz, the small Saharan oasis, buzzes with life as bartering men form a sea of bobbing whiteheadclothes in the beautiful square. A major draw for visitors includes a visit to the Ofra Sand Dune, which is ideal for camel treks, four-wheel drive tours, sand-skiing and balloon flights over the Sahara. It also features a large market selling hundreds of traditional food produce and craft.
LET’S ROLL: Tourists take a horse and carriage ride past an abandoned hotel in Djerba, Tunisia
NAADAM FESTIVAL
Region: Mongolia
The two-day Nadaam Festival held in July showcases the three sporting passions of Mongolians: horse-racing, wrestling and archery. Incidentally, other side events include shegai, a game involving two men flunging a ball made out of cowhide at a target made from ankle bones.
CLOSE QUARTERS: The wrestling match, which is almost like Japanese Sumo style of wrestling, sees the fighters attired in their traditional best
The wrestling match, which is almost like Japanese Sumo style of wrestling, sees the fighters attired in boots, traditional hat and an open, over-the-shoulder top. While representing the cultural legacy of Mongolia, the festival has been celebrated for centuries by the nation's nomads. The opening ceremony in Naadam Stadium features marches and music from soldiers, monks and athletes before the real fun begins.
Being in Mongolia during their favourite time of the year is a great way to witness the locals enjoying a good break, and remains an excellent way to immerse ourselves in the local culture. Besides, a visitor can also look forward to travelling the region’s steppes and sand dunes to uncover storied Buddhist monasteries and cultural treasures.
Mongolian soldiers look all in sync as they attend the traditional Nadaam Festival in Ulan Bator
PALIO DI SIENA
Region: Siena, Italy
It’s perhaps Italy’s most famous annual sporting event. Known locally as II Palio, it is a horse-race that is held in Siena, Tuscany twice each year, on July 2 and August 16. In fact, Siena's bareback horse race is one of the oldest continuously happening festivals in the world.
As part of the event, a 90-second bareback dash of 10 horses and riders along the medieval road of Piazza del Campo, Siena’s shell-shaped medieval square remains a prime attraction.
The two races are proceeded by a pageantry procession, which includes a parade of 600 characters in customs representing the 17 districts and the old Republic of Siena in the so-called historic promenade, Passeggiata Storica. The parade starts from Piazza del Duomo in the early afternoon and walks through the town centre and then gets to Piazza del Campo. The four-day festival includes trial races and neighbourhood dinners, too.
EQUESTRIAN SPRINT: A 90-second bareback race of 10 horses and riders along the medieval road
