Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words
Plautus, Roman playwright
From earliest times people have always found cause for celebrating, perhaps because we are naturally social beings. From big festivals bringing whole communities together to small family events, we like nothing more than to gather and mark special occasions. Like Ancient Romans we might raise a glass or two of wine (or other drink of choice), share a meal, enjoy music and song.
When I shared some celebrations from various parts of the world a few days ago, for Patti’s Lens Artists challenge, I hinted that I might have more up my sleeve! I mentioned the Palio della Balestra in Gubbio, Italy; a children’s dance festival in Riga, Latvia; the Old Town Days festival in Tallinn, Estonia; and partying with locals in Redding, California, on July 4th. I don’t have any photos of the last of these (it was a long while ago) but I’ve pulled together some from the others, plus some that have since occurred to me. Unfortunately I will again break Patti’s five photo limit but have restricted myself to one shot of each!
The announcement of the winners at the Palio della Balestra in Gubbio
[my feature photo was taken at the same event]
Dance performance at the Old Town Days festival, Tallinn
Children at a dance festival in Riga
Children’s folk dance festival, Krakow
Dancers and drummer taking part in RIFF (the Rajasthan International Folk Festival) at Jodhpur Fort
Bringing food for a wedding anniversary celebration at the Hiranya Varna Mahavihar temple, Patan, Nepal
Arctic Circle crossing ceremony, Hurtigruten ship, Norway
Carnival by the Thames, London
Christmas lights in Carnaby Street, London
Dodgems at the Blues Festival in Ealing, west London
Young graduates celebrating on the streets of Sofia
45 Comments
wetanddustyroads
There’s no doubt that celebrations go hand in hand with bright colours! The colours at the Carnival on the Thames are striking, and who wouldn’t love the kid’s smiling faces in Riga and Krakow? Beautiful photos.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Corna 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the bright colours and smiling children!
photobyjohnbo
Echoing The Eternal Traveler’s sentiment, it is heartening to see joyful celebrations, Sarah. You’ve made an art of sharing these glimpses of happiness.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much John😊 I agree, we could all use a lift – and a reason to celebrate!
Annie Berger
Glad that you followed up the earlier post with more celebrations. The innocence and joy of the three young children in Riga was my favorite. Too bad you couldn’t go back in time to get contact information for each child, so they could see what they looked like then and compared it to the present day.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Annie 🙂 Those children in Riga are the definite winners in this post, it seems!
the eternal traveller
When the television is filled with doom and gloom, it’s so nice to see this post with people celebrating and joyful. Great photos.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Carol 🙂 Yes, it’s good to be reminded that there is still plenty to celebrate and people to enjoy that with!
Sylvia
Sarah, all the photos you have shown here are wonderful! But it seems special that I remember actually being there in Sophia with you when you captured the scene of young graduates in Sophia!! I also have a similar photo I took that day!
Sarah Wilkie
Hi Sylvia, and thank you 🙂 Yes, that was a lovely first evening in Sofia wasn’t it? Not only seeing those young graduates celebrating but also enjoying the wonderful restaurant that Liliana took us to!
equinoxio21
All wonderful of course. The children in Riga and Krakow possibly my favourites, just because a child joy is priceless.
Thanks for sharing…
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much 😊 Those kids are stealing the show in this post for sure!
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Well, here we are once again so many beautiful images, and so many countries and styles. These are beautiful as your photos always are
Sarah Wilkie
And again, thank you for the lovely comments 😊
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Sarah, you have so much photos to choose from, and your picks are solid OTT.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Ritva 🙂
Tina Schell
I’m a big fan of the three little ones in white in Riga, the carnival by the Thames, and of course your header this week. The colors are just wonderful in the second and third, and the Riga image is really precious. Nicely done.
Sarah Wilkie
Many thanks Tina 😊 That little lad in Riga was having great fun playing peekaboo from behind the other dancers!
grandmisadventures
Another joyous collection of celebration. 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Glad you enjoyed it – thank you Meg 😀
Sofia Alves
Fantastic, Sarah!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Sofia 😀
Smitha V
Such amazing pictures, Sarah. Seeing the smiles and the energy captured in these photos is a perfect start to the week for me. I liked your feature photo and the one after that in the same place. It’s so bright and full of colour. The one of the children is also beautiful. You’ve captured the emotion of the people in the celebrations. The man smiling in the Rajasthan drummers while the others have been caught unaware transported me to the place. Loved these! Have a great day!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Smitha 😊 The Palio in Gubbio is an amazing event and full of colour as you say.
Smitha V
Thank you, Sarah, for bringing it to us through your pictures. 🙂
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
I like the Nepalese ladies with their matching blouses. I’m sure that food was wonderful!
Sarah Wilkie
I bet it was! We were just onlookers unfortunately (but welcomed as such 🙂 )
photobyjohnbo
Wonderful photos as always, Sarah! My faves are the children dressed in their celebratory outfits. That’s a great way to pass along heritage. It’s so much like our Native American PowWows.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much John 😊 Those children were clearly loving wearing those costumes!
norasphotos4u
Wonderful gallery of color and beauty
Sarah Wilkie
Many thanks Nora 😊
Vicki
Great series. Thanks for sharing.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Vicki 🙂
Egídio
Besides how lively these photos are, I especially love the happy faces I see. Great post!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Egidio 😊 Celebrations and festivals do make people happy, wherever you go!
Anne Sandler
Nice candid shots!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Anne 🙂
Monkey's Tale
More wonderful festival pictures. If it weren’t for the regularly dressed people in the Arctic Circle picture, I would have thought you time travelled! Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
Haha yes, I see what you mean 😄 Many thanks Maggie, glad you enjoyed them!
Sue
Brilliant set of extra images, Sarah! The ones of the kids are most endearing
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much Sue 😊 Those are quite old photos (2015 Riga, 2010 Krakow) so those kids will be all grown up now!
Sue
Of course!
margaret21
Fabulous collection. The photos of children are especially charming.
Sarah Wilkie
Many thanks Margaret 😊 Cute, aren’t they?!
margaret21
Very!