Songkran festivities begin early in Ayutthaya as elephants and tuk-tuks join water celebrations; tourist numbers dip amid high fuel prices, the Songkran festival atmosphere has become lively ahead of the official dates, driven by intense heat that prompted early water celebrations.
Elephants and tuk-tuks add color and splashing water to help tourists cool off in a festive mood. Within the event, elephants are decorated with vibrant floral body paintings to enhance visual appeal and attract visitors. Both Thai and international tourists have joined in the water festivities, creating a cheerful atmosphere in line with Ayutthaya’s traditional Songkran celebrations.
mitv
Songkran festivities begin early in Ayutthaya as elephants and tuk-tuks join water celebrations; tourist numbers dip amid high fuel prices, the Songkran festival atmosphere has become lively ahead of the official dates, driven by intense heat that prompted early water celebrations.
Elephants and tuk-tuks add color and splashing water to help tourists cool off in a festive mood. Within the event, elephants are decorated with vibrant floral body paintings to enhance visual appeal and attract visitors. Both Thai and international tourists have joined in the water festivities, creating a cheerful atmosphere in line with Ayutthaya’s traditional Songkran celebrations.
mitv
The annual Lagos Fanti Carnival has once again brought vibrant colour and culture to Lagos, celebrating centuries-old ties between Africa and Brazil through music, dance, and tradition. Held at Tafawa Balewa Square, the festival reflects the legacy of Afro-Brazilian returnees who settled in Lagos generations ago, creating a unique cultural bridge that continues to thrive today. Participants highlighted the shared heritage seen in carnival traditions across continents, with similarities in costumes, rhythms, and festivities.
. David Flores, tourist said "In my culture we also have Carnival, so it's really nice to see how our cultures are similar, and I am really enjoying the nice music, nice dancing, nice food. And everything is well organized, there is a lot of colour. So I am really, really happy."
The event continues to attract both locals and international visitors, showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity and enduring global connections.
mitv
The annual Lagos Fanti Carnival has once again brought vibrant colour and culture to Lagos, celebrating centuries-old ties between Africa and Brazil through music, dance, and tradition. Held at Tafawa Balewa Square, the festival reflects the legacy of Afro-Brazilian returnees who settled in Lagos generations ago, creating a unique cultural bridge that continues to thrive today. Participants highlighted the shared heritage seen in carnival traditions across continents, with similarities in costumes, rhythms, and festivities.
. David Flores, tourist said "In my culture we also have Carnival, so it's really nice to see how our cultures are similar, and I am really enjoying the nice music, nice dancing, nice food. And everything is well organized, there is a lot of colour. So I am really, really happy."
The event continues to attract both locals and international visitors, showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity and enduring global connections.
mitv
In northern Croatia, workshops are keeping alive the 19th century tradition of painting Easter eggs black. First, floral patterns are painted on to the eggs which are then dipped in black dye. Traditionally exchanged on the Sunday after Easter to symbolise friendship and kinship, the eggs are now listed as part of Croatia's registered cultural heritage.
mitv
In northern Croatia, workshops are keeping alive the 19th century tradition of painting Easter eggs black. First, floral patterns are painted on to the eggs which are then dipped in black dye. Traditionally exchanged on the Sunday after Easter to symbolise friendship and kinship, the eggs are now listed as part of Croatia's registered cultural heritage.
mitv
The Shan Literature and Culture Association plans to hold the Traditional Shan Thingyan Festival 2026, jointly organized with Cherry FM, on 4 April at the 9th Mile Shan Monastery in Mayangon Township, Yangon Region.
An official from the Shan Ethnic Literature and Cultural Association said, “To preserve and promote the traditional culture of the Shan ethnic people living in Yangon, and to celebrate the traditional Shan Thingyan festival together, a pre-Thingyan festival will be held from 2 pm to 7 pm on 4 April. Participants are requested to wear their local traditional costumes, particularly the Shan red attire.”
The festival is being organized to enable Shan people living in Yangon to experience the spirit of Thingyan as celebrated in Shan State, and to promote friendship among different ethnic communities.
The Traditional Shan Thingyan Festival was also held during the 2025 Maha Thingyan at Kandawgyi Hmyawzin Kyun in Bahan Township, Yangon Region. — ASH/MKKS
gnlm
The Shan Literature and Culture Association plans to hold the Traditional Shan Thingyan Festival 2026, jointly organized with Cherry FM, on 4 April at the 9th Mile Shan Monastery in Mayangon Township, Yangon Region.
An official from the Shan Ethnic Literature and Cultural Association said, “To preserve and promote the traditional culture of the Shan ethnic people living in Yangon, and to celebrate the traditional Shan Thingyan festival together, a pre-Thingyan festival will be held from 2 pm to 7 pm on 4 April. Participants are requested to wear their local traditional costumes, particularly the Shan red attire.”
The festival is being organized to enable Shan people living in Yangon to experience the spirit of Thingyan as celebrated in Shan State, and to promote friendship among different ethnic communities.
The Traditional Shan Thingyan Festival was also held during the 2025 Maha Thingyan at Kandawgyi Hmyawzin Kyun in Bahan Township, Yangon Region. — ASH/MKKS
gnlm
Dambadarjaalin Monastery is one of the few sites in Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar with a history spanning more than 200 years.
The present monastery was established in the former Darkhan Chin Wang district along the slopes of Zonkhov Khairkhan. This historic monument is currently over 260 years old and once housed more than 1,500 monks. Nowadays, it stands as a significant cultural and religious heritage site in Mongolia.
mitv
Dambadarjaalin Monastery is one of the few sites in Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar with a history spanning more than 200 years.
The present monastery was established in the former Darkhan Chin Wang district along the slopes of Zonkhov Khairkhan. This historic monument is currently over 260 years old and once housed more than 1,500 monks. Nowadays, it stands as a significant cultural and religious heritage site in Mongolia.
mitv
The second Salon (Moken) New Year Festival took place in Makyongalat Village, Sunge Barline Village-tract in Kawthoung, Taninthayi Region, yesterday.
The festival was jointly organized by the Taninthayi Region Ethnic Affairs Minister and the Salon (Moken) literature and culture association, and attended by the Taninthayi Region Transport Minister and other relevant officials.
After the ceremonial procedures, the minister and party observed the ethnic traditional booths. During the festival, the Salon (Moken) people performed dances.
The regional transport minister made a speech at the event, and the entrepreneurs, locals and donors made cash donations.
Officials also presented prizes to winners of the dancing competition and drama contests, marking the Salon (Moken) New Year Festival.
After the event, Salon (Moken) New Year Festival organizing committee chair U Soe Naing expressed gratitude.
The Taninthayi Region Transport Minister and party also watched the Salon traditional boat racing, swimming events and diving contests, and awarded the winners.
During the festival, various activities were showcased, including traditional ethnic dances, a Salon cultural exhibition, marine conservation awareness booths, and stalls selling traditional food and souvenirs. The festival was held from 21 to 23 March and featured traditional dances, ethnic drama performances, and live music concerts. — District IPRD/KTZH
gnlm
The second Salon (Moken) New Year Festival took place in Makyongalat Village, Sunge Barline Village-tract in Kawthoung, Taninthayi Region, yesterday.
The festival was jointly organized by the Taninthayi Region Ethnic Affairs Minister and the Salon (Moken) literature and culture association, and attended by the Taninthayi Region Transport Minister and other relevant officials.
After the ceremonial procedures, the minister and party observed the ethnic traditional booths. During the festival, the Salon (Moken) people performed dances.
The regional transport minister made a speech at the event, and the entrepreneurs, locals and donors made cash donations.
Officials also presented prizes to winners of the dancing competition and drama contests, marking the Salon (Moken) New Year Festival.
After the event, Salon (Moken) New Year Festival organizing committee chair U Soe Naing expressed gratitude.
The Taninthayi Region Transport Minister and party also watched the Salon traditional boat racing, swimming events and diving contests, and awarded the winners.
During the festival, various activities were showcased, including traditional ethnic dances, a Salon cultural exhibition, marine conservation awareness booths, and stalls selling traditional food and souvenirs. The festival was held from 21 to 23 March and featured traditional dances, ethnic drama performances, and live music concerts. — District IPRD/KTZH
gnlm
Hundreds of Pashtun Pakistanis took part in traditional games in the mountainous regions of Balochistan province. This is the country’s cultural festival which features various sports, including wrestling, chicken-catching, tug-of-war, and other traditional games. This festival was passed down to generation by our ancestors and people organize such festivals every year during Eid.
mitv
Hundreds of Pashtun Pakistanis took part in traditional games in the mountainous regions of Balochistan province. This is the country’s cultural festival which features various sports, including wrestling, chicken-catching, tug-of-war, and other traditional games. This festival was passed down to generation by our ancestors and people organize such festivals every year during Eid.
mitv
Celebrations take place in the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains. Dances in traditional costumes take place near snow-white yurts, meat is cooked over a fire, and carpets are sold in the palaces. National songs and poems dedicated to the holiday are recited.
Participants also demonstrate their skills in ancient crafts, such as silk and carpet making, and the preparation of traditional delicacies. In the evening, a bonfire is lit in the Nowruz Valley. It is believed to burn away all illnesses and misfortunes.
mitv
Celebrations take place in the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains. Dances in traditional costumes take place near snow-white yurts, meat is cooked over a fire, and carpets are sold in the palaces. National songs and poems dedicated to the holiday are recited.
Participants also demonstrate their skills in ancient crafts, such as silk and carpet making, and the preparation of traditional delicacies. In the evening, a bonfire is lit in the Nowruz Valley. It is believed to burn away all illnesses and misfortunes.
mitv
'Fox wedding procession' attracted tourists in central Japan A kimono-clad man and woman with fox masks have led a mock wedding procession in a festival. About 30 people, dressed in kimono and fox masks, paraded along a street in Nagano Prefecture, on Sunday. Unno-juku flourished as an inn town for travelers on the Hokkoku highway during the Edo Period from the 17th to the 19th century.
During the community’s “hina” doll festival in March, historic buildings display traditional dolls dressed like ancient court nobles. The fox wedding procession is the highlight of the festival on its last day.
mitv
'Fox wedding procession' attracted tourists in central Japan A kimono-clad man and woman with fox masks have led a mock wedding procession in a festival. About 30 people, dressed in kimono and fox masks, paraded along a street in Nagano Prefecture, on Sunday. Unno-juku flourished as an inn town for travelers on the Hokkoku highway during the Edo Period from the 17th to the 19th century.
During the community’s “hina” doll festival in March, historic buildings display traditional dolls dressed like ancient court nobles. The fox wedding procession is the highlight of the festival on its last day.
mitv
Iranians were clinging to the traditional celebration of Nowruz, the beginning of the Iranian New Year amid Mideast conflicts. Nowruz, which fell on Saturday this year, traditionally brings families together for joyful reunions and festive travel.
Across Iran, Nowruz traditionally brings families together for joyful reunions and festive travel. As tradition dictates, the new year begins with a simple meal, sabzi polo with fish. Even under the threat of war, many Iranians are holding on to this moment, hoping that by next Nowruz, families across the country can gather in peace.
mitv
Iranians were clinging to the traditional celebration of Nowruz, the beginning of the Iranian New Year amid Mideast conflicts. Nowruz, which fell on Saturday this year, traditionally brings families together for joyful reunions and festive travel.
Across Iran, Nowruz traditionally brings families together for joyful reunions and festive travel. As tradition dictates, the new year begins with a simple meal, sabzi polo with fish. Even under the threat of war, many Iranians are holding on to this moment, hoping that by next Nowruz, families across the country can gather in peace.
mitv