Here at FemaleFirst we know there’s nothing like spending a couple of days living it up at a festival. But shock, horror not all festivals involve mud, Wellington boots and portaloos… so I have come up with the best of the rest to amuse you during the third week in March 2009. Enjoy!
Las Fallas
St Patrick's Day
When: 12-19 March
Where: Valencia - Spain
What: Las Fallas is Europe’s wildest Spring party and is a great chance to get your gladrags on and enjoy this huge firework display and glorified puppet show.
At midnight on the 19th, the dramatic closing act takes place as a massive bonfire is built and the ninots, so carefully prepared in the previous months are set ablaze and destroyed: all except one, saved by the votes of the falleros, and destined to be preserved forever in the Fallero Museum.
The evolution of the festival as we know it today began in the second half of the 19th century. The fallas and ninots are ephemeral, ornamental and satirical symbols placed in the streets of the city as a humorous social or political comment.
They may be human, animal or vegetable in form, portraying a critique of a local, national or international incident, personality or character. There is great irony involved and the ceremonial burning is an act of purification that takes place at midnight on el Día de San Jose (St Joseph's day).
Starkbierzeit (Strong Beer Time)
When: The two weeks around March 19
Where: Munich, Germany
What: We all love a good excuse to guzzle shed loads of beer, and in Germany, they aren’t afraid to dedicate whole days to the bubbly traditions. Basically this event is Oktoberfest’s little brother, and it’s not just a celebration of any old beer either, but strong beer destined to rip your insides apart.
The breweries conjure up their most lethal blends of 7% alcohol in honour of the ground breaking work of Paulaner monks of the 17th century who brewed thick and chewy doppelbock to help them through their Lent fast.
Although Lent is pretty much ignored in the country now, there locals see no point in giving up the tradition of guzzling the filling beer and have even added entertaining strong men to hoik the barrels around.
St Patick’s Festival
When: Five days around 17 March.
Where: Dublin, Ireland
What: Another gathering that has lost it’s roots to the consumption of a good pint or two is St Patrick’s day. The whole of the UK seems to slip into ‘chav’ mode to go out and get drunk all day whilst donning giant green Guinness hats.
Dubbed as the ‘mother’ of all drinking festivals, St Patricks day is actually supposed to honour, well, St Paddy, Ireland’s patron saint. And although the odd fairground and musical party add to the whole ‘festival;’ vibe, it really is just a five day piss up.
FemaleFirst - Ruth Harrison