Munduslingua
Cultural Blog
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A young man retrieves the cross after competing against other divers
Discover Kataklysmos Festival in Cyprus, a festive event that combines both religious and pagan traditions.
National Sorry Day creates awareness of the policies that led to the mistreatment of Aborigines
In the month of May discover the history behind Australia's Stolen Generations and the efforts to honor and respect the aboriginal people.
During La Diada de Sant Jordi people exchange red roses and books
In the month of April embark on a trip to the autonomous region of Catalonia in Spain to explore the traditions behind La Diada de Sant Jordi.
Purple Day is an effort to create more awareness of epilepsy
The month of March creates awareness of epilepsy and explains the Purple Day initiative.
Chirigotas, costumed performers in the Cádiz Carnival, entertain people in the streets of Cádiz
The month of February begins with a stop in Cádiz, Spain for the colorful Cádiz Carnival. Unveil also a sweet Finnish tradition in remembrance of Finland's national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg and the beautiful origins of Saint Valentine's Day.
A group of men struggle to catch the treasure ball at Tamaseseri Festival in Japan
The new year begins with a trip to Japan to discover the traditions at Tamaseseri Festival, an exciting feast that falls every year on January 3. Discover also in this digest the colorful Patras Carnival, one of the world's top carnivals in the city of Patras, Greece.
Saint Nicholas in the company of an angel and a devil in Prague, Czech Republic
The month of December starts with the celebrations of both Saint Nicholas' Eve and Saint Nicholas' Day in various European countries. Enjoy then the activities around Saint Lucy's Day, one of Sweden's most cherished Christmas traditions.
Eyjafjallajökull: Name of a volcano in Iceland
The month of November explores the Icelandic language and the attempt to preserve its native vocabulary. Learn also about the Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual holiday to remember and honor the victims of transphobia worldwide.
Munduslingua celebrates and promotes diversity around the world
Jack-o'-lanterns adorn the streets on Halloween
In October reflect upon our vast cultural diversity and ways to soothe our personal relationships with people having different thoughts, points of view and even ways of living we don't necessarily share. Enjoy as well the story of Halloween and how it has come to be an ever growing feast around the world.
The spectacular view from Le Kuklos Revolving Panorama Restaurant in Leysin, Switzerland
The month of September takes you on a visit in Leysin, Switzerland to explore its exciting and revitilizing sporting activities.
The flag of the United States waves each year on July 4th
July 4, Independence Day in the United States, is a day of pride for Americans all over the world. In July discover more about this special day and how Americans celebrate it worldwide.
The Hinamatsuri Festival is a long-held tradition in Japan
In March embark on a trip to Japan to discover the Hinamatsuri Festival, an old cherished tradition.
The World Games 2013 arrive in Cali, Colombia for this year's top sporting event
The World Games, a multi-sport event that includes sports and disciplines that are not contested in the Olympic Games, will arrive this year in Cali, Colombia. Discover more about the World Games and how the city of Cali is preparing itself to host this year's most important sporting event.
Cartagena's colonial buildings enchant visitors from all the world
Cartagena de Indias is one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in the Caribbean. Discover this great city in Colombia as Munduslingua's first travel destination in 2013.
The main entrance to Hacienda Piedechinche's exquisite colonial house
Hacienda Piedechinche, located in the region of Valle del Cauca in Colombia, South America, is an 18th century estate with vast sugarcane plantations. Surrounded by an exuberant nature and unmatched landscape, Hacienda Piedechinche was since its origins an important center of sugar production.
Entrance to the Shat Gambuj Mosque in Bangladesh
The first week of November began with two exotic travel destinations. After learning facts about Western Sahara on Tuesday, we made a trip to discover the beautiful Western Sahara desert. From then we moved to Bangladesh where the National Revolution and Solidarity Day was celebrated on Wednesday. Our stop in Bangladesh introduced us to World Heritage Sites such as The Sundarbans and the Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat. To end the week and as part of Munduslingua's World Book Fair, the book "Our Andromeda", Brenda Shaughnessy's third collection of poems, was presented and promoted through our website and social networks.
A Japanese woman wearing make-up and contact lenses for Halloween
Halloween, the feast held annually on October 31 before All Hallows' Day, is a popular holiday celebrated in many countries around the world. A feast connected with spooky tales, witches, brooms and cats, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, dress-up parties and more, the popularity of this holiday has considerably increased throughout the decades despite many attempts to suppress Halloween and its somewhat sinister legacy.
A breathtaking day for elephants at Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia
The fourth week of October took off with an exciting visit to Zambia and the great Lower Zambezi National Park. This visit was followed by a stop in Grenada, the Spice of Caribbean, to discover one of its main attractions: Grenada's breathtaking waterfalls. The week ended with the beautiful Hacienda Piedechinche in Colombia, an 18th century estate that houses the renowned Sugarcane Museum. Enjoy the gardens, colonial house, landscape and mills used to produce the first forms of sugar known to man.
The sublime Mount Edgecumbe and Harbor in Sitka, Alaska
During the third week of October Munduslingua traveled through the Pacific Ocean to explore two wonderful corners of the world. Our trip began in Sitka, Alaska where the celebrations of Alaska Day took place on October 18. Our stop in Sitka introduced us to its people, a blend of cultures as a consequence of Alaska's history, and the many outdoor activities the city has to offer. Munduslingua then set sail for Niue, an island country northeast of New Zealand where Constitution Day was celebrated on October 19. Our stop in Niue taught us about the rich local culture and biodiversity, the country's both mysterious and spectacular caves, the beaches and the island's great opportunities for tourism.
Rondane Nation Park in Norway and its fascinating nature
The second week of October began in the Balkans where we remembered the events on 8 October 1991 when Croatia declared its independence from the former Soviet Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. On Tuesday Munduslingua went on an exciting trip to Norway to explore the country's oldest national park, Rondane National Park. This was followed by a trip to Mombasa in Kenya to visit Fort Jesus, a fortification built in the 16th century by the Portuguese and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. The week ended with two international events. On Thursday we learned about the National Coming Out Day, an annual celebration to raise awareness of the LGBT community in our societies. Finally, on Friday, Munduslingua focused on the commemoration of the Discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus and the celebrations of the "Day of the Race" (Spanish: Día de la Raza) in Latin America, both observances to praise ethnic diversity and the Hispanic influence in the New World.
The magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany
The month of October began with an exciting trip to the People's Republic of China where we visited the Forbidden City in Beijing. The week continued with a trip to Helsinki, Finland's capital city, where every year the Baltic Herring Fair takes place. On October 3, during the Day of German Unity, Munduslingua made a stop in Germany to visit the magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle and learn about the life of Ludwig II, King of Bavaria. The week ended with a visit to Lesotho in southern Africa where we discovered the many outdoor activities in the country and enjoyed the exquisite mountain landscapes.
The picturesque Prague Castle overlooking the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic
The 4th and final week of September took us to even more fascinating places while reminding us of special celebrations. Starting on Monday, Munduslingua set sail for New Caledonia, a French archipelago in the southwest Pacific Ocean, to explore its paradise-like landscapes. Our trip continued in Mozambique where we learned why this African country has become one of the new hot spots for tourism. The celebration of the European Day of Languages 2012, a day to foster language diversity and language learning in Europe, was then our main focus on Wednesday. On Thursday we learned interesting facts about tourism during the World Tourism Day 2012. The week ended with a stop in the Czech Republic, where the celebrations of the Czech Statehood Day, reminded us of Saint Wenceslas and his iconic square in Prague.
The splendorous interiors at Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, Thailand
The 3rd week of September took us on Monday to Angola where we listened to Semba, one of the most popular music styles of the country. On Tuesday Chile's Dieciocho celebrations, the commemoration of the country's first Government Junta in 1810, taught us about the history and traditions of this South American country. On Wednesday we visited Saint Kitts and Nevis, a Caribbean two-island state which enchanted us with its paradise-like landscapes. Moving on Munduslingua made a stop in Thailand to explore the magnificent city of Chiang Mai. The week ended with a reflection about peace and our truest nonviolent nature during the International Day of Peace.
Kaieteur Falls: a wonder of nature in Guyana, South America
The second week of September began with a visit to Guyana, land of many waters, where we discovered the amazing Kaieteur Falls. We then moved to Spain where the autonomous community of Catalonia celebrated on September 11 its National Day or "La Diada." Wednesday took us to Cape Verde near the coast of western Africa to learn about the native Creole culture. On Thursday we made a stop in Mexico to remember an event in the history of the country that touches the hearts of the Mexican people to our days. Our destination stories concluded with a visit to Colombia where the "Day of Love and Friendship" is celebrated on September 14.
The smørrebrød or Danish open sandwich is a top specialty in Denmark
The month of September began with a trip to the oldest sovereign nation in the world, San Marino. We then moved to Namibia where we enjoyed the beauty of Namib Desert. On Wednesday we learned an easy and delicious recipe from Denmark (smørrebrød), and moved to Colombia in South America to listen to Currulao, a music style from the Pacific coast of the country. The week ended with a stop in Brazil where we traveled to the fabulous Minas Gerais State.
Golden domes embellish the sky in Ukraine's capital city, Kiev
Another week is over and with it comes the end of the month of August. As usual, Munduslingua invites you to review our destination stories and expand your knowledge on world cultures. The month of August introduced you to new artists, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, travel tips, historical dates and interesting traditions. We invite you to catch up on any stories you may have missed and join our network to become an ambassador of your country.
The Umhlanga or Reed Dance gathers annually girls from all over Swaziland
Another week passes by and it is once again time for the weekend. As usual here is the review for this week's stories so that you can catch up on any destinations that you may have missed. We wish you all a wonderful weekend.
Dance performance during India's Independence Day
Women demanding a change in South African law
Dutch architecture and a blend of colors dominate in Willemstad, Curaçao
Fort San Felipe del Morro: a UNESCO World Heritage Site in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Matryoshka dolls are an old Russian tradition
The spiritual center of Sveti Stefan in Montenegro
Colombian orchids are among the world's most beautiful and diverse
A woman in Andean outfit at Isla del Sol, Lake Titicaca
The year's Saio in traditional Japanese outfit during the Aoi Matsuri Festival in Kyoto, Japan
Munduslingua, the network that transcends differences and unites cultures.
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