14
WOOHOO
fascinating
festivals
TEXT BY APPLE TAN; PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES (OSAKA), DANIEL BOUD (SYDNEY)
Osaka
OTAUE RICE PLANTING
FESTIVAL
JUNE 14
What began as a simple
ritual has become a grand
celebration held in anticipation
of a bountiful harvest. At
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, a
taue
(rice-planting) ceremony
is followed by dance
performances by women
in braided, flower-adorned
hats and a parade of samurai
warriors.
jnto.go.jp
June’s
charms
Be a part of age-old
traditions and get in
on all the action and
excitement of this
month’s top events
across the region
Bali
UBUD FOOD
FESTIVAL
JUNE 5-7
Indonesian cuisine, culture
and celebrity chefs — what’s
not to love about this
event? With more than 40
big names from Bali and
elsewhere lined up for its
inaugural edition, the festival
promises to be a food-
filled weekend of cooking
demos, workshops and tours.
ubudfoodfestival.com
Sydney
VIVID SYDNEY
UNTIL JUNE 8
Check out the massive
light installations and
musical performances
during this annual
extravaganza. The
city’s skyline and best-
known landmarks,
including the Sydney
Opera House, are
dazzlingly illuminated
nightly from 6pm until
midnight. Download
the map at
vividsydney.com.
Hong Kong
DRAGON BOAT
FESTIVAL
JUNE 20
Every year, this much-
awaited event (known
in Cantonese as Tuen
Ng) attracts attendees
from across the globe for
several days of merry-
making, beer-drinking
and boat races at Stanley,
Aberdeen Fishing Village
and other locations.
discoverhongkong.com
WHEELSOF
CHANGE
Celebrate Philippine
Independence Day by
joining the Freedom Ride
— a cycling event held every
June 12 in Iloilo City. The
Freedom Ride, now in its
third year, is free of charge
and open to all cyclists
who want to do it for love
of country and national
pride. Participants typically
attach small flags to their
helmets and bikes, and wear
patriotic garb or shirts in
the colors of the flag. Why
biking? The organizers look
at it as another form of
independence, if you will,
from vehicle pollution and
traffic. Visit
facebook.com/
IloIloCityGov
for updates.
