Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
1078 results for "bach festival"
Over 7,000 music lovers from 20 countries voted to choose the top 50 cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach. The winners will be performed at Leipzig's 100th Bach Festival this June, celebrating the composer's enduring power to touch hearts worldwide.
Presidential support is transforming a historic Nigerian fishing festival into an economic powerhouse. The Argungu International Fishing Festival is attracting global investors and boosting tourism across West Africa.
Every spring, millions across India celebrate Holi by covering their streets in clouds of vibrant colored powder. This ancient Hindu festival transforms entire cities into living rainbows as people dance, drum, and drench each other in color to welcome the new season.
From Kerala's thunderous drums to Himalayan monastery dances, communities across India gather each summer to celebrate festivals that have survived for centuries. These vibrant celebrations prove that ancient traditions can thrive in the modern world.
Across Uzbekistan, the ancient Nowruz festival is bringing entire communities together through shared meals, traditional games, and joyful celebrations that mark spring's arrival. From horseback competitions in the south to street festivals in the capital, this cultural tradition is creating moments of connection that cross generations and backgrounds.
A filmmaker fed up with doom-scrolling culture just launched a festival that only screens stories about people making things better. The Lone Peak Film Festival in Big Sky, Montana proves good news can still pack a theater.
What started as 15 musicians playing in bars has grown into an eight-day international festival that brings joy to thousands while teaching music to kids in Mexico. The Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival proves what a small group of music lovers can build together.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2Fa3%2F41%2Fa3414b09-64c5-4267-9365-a0b8230b8eb5%2Fsongkran_buddha.jpg)
Thailand's centuries-old water festival Songkran has evolved into a joyful celebration that welcomes visitors worldwide while honoring Buddhist traditions of renewal. Now recognized by UNESCO, the festival blends ancient spiritual practices with modern fun that's spreading beyond Asia.
Glastonbury's taking a year off and most major European festivals are sold out, but music lovers still have options. From ancient Roman arenas in France to bamboo labyrinths in Italy, these eight festivals prove summer isn't over yet.
Electronic music festival Cercle partnered with the European Space Agency to create a three-day celebration where 20,000 daily attendees experienced DJ sets among rockets and learned about Mars exploration. An astronaut opened the festival live from the International Space Station.
One of Europe's largest inclusive arts festivals will bring performers from around the world to Wales this summer. The Unity Festival champions neurodivergent artists through week-long celebrations in Cardiff, Llanelli, and Mold.
What started with 69 scrappy shows and beer bottle mishaps has grown into the world's largest standalone comedy festival. Melbourne's International Comedy Festival celebrates four decades of launching comedians from four-person audiences to household names.
A historic cultural festival in Ghana's Central Region is rallying young people to unite around heritage and community development. The 2026 Breman Odwira Festival launch brought together traditional leaders, politicians, and youth groups with one powerful message: the future depends on young people embracing their roots while building progress.
Bangkok's iconic Silom Road water festival just wrapped its biggest Songkran celebration ever, with more than 650,000 people joining the three-day Thai New Year festivities. The joyful gathering more than doubled last year's turnout, showing how communities are returning to beloved traditions stronger than ever.
Zipolite, Mexico's famous free-spirited beach town, is expanding its legacy of openness with MANCHA Arts Festival, bringing together 30 artists for four days of free art, music, and workshops. The second annual festival kicks off February 5, growing from just six artists three years ago to a full-scale celebration of Mexico's creative economy.
Members of the Gaza Sunbirds, a paracycling team of amputee athletes, made a powerful entrance by sea at the Cannes Film Festival for their documentary premiere. Their journey from hardship to the world's most prestigious film festival celebrates resilience and the healing power of sport.
India erupted in a joyful explosion of colors as millions marked Holi, the beloved spring festival that transforms streets into vibrant celebrations of renewal and togetherness. From Mumbai to Kolkata, people of all ages gathered to drench each other in powdered pigments, welcoming the season with laughter and community spirit.
When Australia's largest literary festival collapsed amid controversy, the writing community didn't wait for permission. Five weeks later, they built their own grassroots celebration of stories and free speech.
The world's most colorful sky spectacle returns to a French beach, drawing nearly a million visitors to watch giant kites dance above the waves. The 39th International Kite Festival transforms Berck-sur-Mer into a week-long celebration that's free for everyone.
Hundreds of torchbearers marched through Scotland's Shetland Islands this week, celebrating Europe's largest fire festival with a spectacular Viking galley burning. The 140-year-old tradition brings volunteers together and draws visitors from around the world. #
Showing 20 of 1078