Countries all over the world celebrate various festivals which are centered on aspects of their religion or culture for instance. These festivals can 

Countries all over the world celebrate various festivals which are centered on aspects of their religion or culture for instance. These festivals can be quite grand and attract many locals and visitors, who enjoy them and make them a staple on their annual calendar of activities. Some festivals are viewed as being weird and may seem questionable to you. They are certainly out of the box. Here are five of the most bizarre festivals that are celebrated in the world today. 1. Cooper’s Hill Cheese- Rolling and Wake The Cooper’s Hill Cheese- Rolling and Wake is a British tradition that began in the early 1800s. This annual event is held on the Spring Bank Holiday. People from all over the world join the locals at Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire, England to witness and participate in the race. A wheel of Double- Gloucester cheese weighing nine pounds is released from the top of the hill and can move at a speed of more than seventy miles per hour. Competitors attempt to chase the cheese wheel down the hill. The first contestant to get to the bottom of the hill is declared the winner and receives a large quantity of cheese. 2. Monkey Buffet Festivals Held annually, the Monkey Buffet Festival is held in Thailand to promote tourism. Their large population of macaque monkeys is revered in Lopburi, Bangkok and this festival is held for them. It is thought that these monkeys bring good luck to the people and the area. Every last Sunday of November the monkeys are treated to a banquet of a variety of fruits, vegetables, desserts and beverages at the ruins of the Phra Prang Sam Yot temple. This festival includes an opening ceremony and dancers performing in monkey costumes. 3. Pamplona Bull Run The Fiesta San Fermin held from 6th July 14th July each year includes the Bull Run. This event which began in 1910 is quite dangerous but is one which receives much attention and many men take part. Angry bulls are released in the streets. The participants scurry along the streets in an attempt to get away before they are knocked down by the charging bulls. This festival has caught the interest of authors and filmmakers. 4. La Tomatina Festival La Tomatina is a famous festival celebrated in Buñol, Valencia every year at the end of August. This festival which is celebrated throughout the week is done in honor of the patron saints of the town- Luis Bertram and the Mare de Deu dels Desemparats, the Virgin Mary. Truckloads of ripe tomatoes are provided and for an hour, the participants crush the tomatoes and throw as many of them as they can at each other. Afterwards they go to the river to bathe and enjoy food and music. The fire department is responsible for cleaning up the mess on the streets. 5. Festival of the Horns Men who have been cheated on by their girlfriends or wives show interest in this festival. The Festival of the Horns or Festa del Cornuto is celebrated annually in Rocca Canterano in Rome. In the time of the Roman Empire, the warriors who went out to battle were gifted with a pair of horns on their return. Often, they found their wives had gone to take on new partners. As such, the horns in Italian culture represent a man who was cheated on and the word “cornuto” was used to refer to such men. During the festival these men participate in a parade where they cry and break items that their former partners had given to them.

The World’s Most Bizarre Festivals

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