Month: July 2020

Fête de la Madeleine

The Magdalene Festival is observed in St. Baume, a forested region of Provence, France, on the anniversary of the death of Mary Magdalene. Legend has it that, wandering eastward from Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, she came to la fôret de la Baume, “the forest of the cave,” a grotto where she spent 33 years living on wild roots and berries doing penance for her sins. Thousands of pilgrims have visited la Sainte Baume, the holy cave, since the 13th century. Although July 22 is the most popular pilgrimage date, the shrine is visited throughout the year.

Source: The Free Dictionary

Tank Desant

Used by the Soviet Red Army in WWII, tank desant is a military tactic in which foot soldiers ride into battle on top of a tank and then dismount when in close range of the enemy. This helped accelerate the deployment of troops into battle. Before advances in mechanized warfare rendered this tactic obsolete, some tanks were even built with handholds for the soldiers. Despite the fact that this practice left troops dangerously exposed, some felt it was safer than riding inside the tanks. Why?

Source: The Free Dictionary

Just for Laughs Festival

Every July, Montreal hosts one of the largest comedy festivals in the world, the Just For Laughs Festival. Founded in 1983 as a small French-language show (Juste pour rire) comprised of only two nights, in 1985, the organizers opened the stage to English-speaking comedians, paving the way for newcomers like Tonight Show host Jay Leno and sitcom star Jerry Seinfeld to launch their careers. In subsequent years, the organizers extended the festival—today there are more than 1,300 shows and performances, featuring all kinds of comedy as well as juggling and performance art.

Source: The Free Dictionary

Baalbek

Located in modern-day Lebanon, Baalbek is an ancient city noted for its extensive ruins. The city was identified with the worship of the Phoenician sun god Baal and called Heliopolis—city of the sun—by the Greeks. It became a Roman colony under Augustus, and work began there on some of the largest temples in the Roman Empire. It was later sacked by invaders and was destroyed by an earthquake in 1759. In the 6th century, eight columns were disassembled and sent to Constantinople for what purpose?

Source: The Free Dictionary

W.C. Handy Music Festival

The W.C. Handy Music Festival honors the “Father of the Blues” in the Alabama Quad-Cities of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. The festival celebrates not only Handy’s musical heritage but also the musical roots of spirituals and jazz. Throughout the festival there is music by nationally known musicians night and day, street dancing, folk art exhibits, and music workshops held in such locations as ball fields, parks, and nursing homes. Concerts are performed in the church where Handy’s father and grandfather served as pastor, and in restaurants and clubs. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Hecate

In Greek religion and mythology, Hecate is the goddess of ghosts and witchcraft and the governess of liminal regions. Identified with three other goddesses, she was sometimes depicted as having three bodies, giving her the ability to look in all directions at once. Because she helped rescue Persephone from Hades, she became associated with the underworld. In the upper world, she haunted graveyards and crossroads and was invisible to all eyes except those of what animal that often followed her? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Folkmoot

This two-week festival is held in the mountains at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in western North Carolina. It features more than 350 folk musicians and dancers from countries as diverse as Ecuador, Italy, Malaysia, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Slovenia, China, and the Philippines. Events include a Parade of Nations, a bazaar with local and regional artisans and food vendors, a special children’s program, and performances by the folk dancers and musicians. Many of the events take place in the nearby town of Waynesville. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Competitive Free-Diving

In competitive free-diving—also called competitive apnea—individuals attempt to reach extreme depths or distances underwater on a single breath without using breathing equipment. Some events allow the use of fins or weights, while others do not. Because a lack of oxygen can result in a loss of consciousness, free-diving requires intense training and supervision. What is the current record for timed underwater breath-holding as recognized by the International Association for Development of Apnea? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary