Global Cultural Events that Were Supposed to Happen September 2020

Due to the corona virus this year, pretty much all of our plans are doomed and any major events that involves a crowd of people in the same space were advised for cancellation to avoid cross infection within the public. But even if we can’t experience it, why not we see what were some of the major festivals around the world that would have happened if the pandemic did not happen.

Aloha Festivals @Hawaii, USA

( 3-24th September)

Coming up first, The Aloha Festivals are an annual series of free cultural celebrations observed in the state of Hawaii in the US. It is the only statewide cultural festival celebrated in the nation. Highlights from the festival include the presentation of the Royal Court, a ho’olaule’a, in Waikiki, and the Floral Parade. Approximately 30,000 people volunteer to plan, organize, and provide labor for the Aloha Festivals each year. Their efforts entertain over 1,000,000 people from locals to visitors from all over the world.

Onam Festival @ Kerala, India

(3-15^th September)

Next, we have Onam. Onam is a major annual event for the Malayali people in Kerala. It is a harvest festival, one of three major Hindu celebrations along with Vishu and Thiruvathira, and it is observed with numerous cultural events. It is also considered as the start of the new year for Malayalis. Onam celebrations include Vallam Kali (boat races), Pulikali (tiger dances), Pookkalam (flower Rangoli), Onathappan (worship), Onam Kali (Tug of War), Thumbi Thullal (women’s dance), Kummattikali (mask dance), Onathallu (martial arts), Onavillu (music), Kazhchakkula (plantain offerings), Onapottan (costumes), Atthachamayam (folk songs and dance), and many other celebrations.

Mid-Autumn Festival @ China

(15^th September)

Finally, the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or the Mooncake Festival, is a traditional festival celebrated by Chinese people. It is the second most important Chinese holiday after Chinese New Year with a history dating back 3,000 years, when China’s emperors worshipped the moon for bountiful harvests. The celebration is similar to Chuseok (autumn eve) celebrated in Korea and Tsukimi (moon-viewing) celebrated in Japan. The festival is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar with a full moon at night. On this day, the Chinese believe that the moon is at its brightest and fullest size, coinciding with harvest time in the middle of Autumn.

Written by, Devitra Ramachandran

Proofread by, Nurul Amanina binti Naushad

Sources – www.amexessentials.com