Tradition

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Myanmar: spectacular lantern festival lights up ancient temples in Bagan

Hundreds of glowing lanterns floated into the night sky above Bagan's ancient pagodas. Thousands gathered to celebrate Thadingyut, Myanmar's Festival of Lights marking the end of Buddhist Lent.

27 October 2026

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Thousands of sheep take over Madrid's streets for Transhumance Festival

Over 1,400 sheep and goats took over Madrid's streets on Sunday, delighting spectators at the 33rd annual Transhumance Festival, which followed a different route this year to avoid a housing protest.

25 October 2026

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Dussehra: Giant effigies of demons go up in flames in India

India celebrated Dussehra, or Vijayadashmi, in New Delhi with Ravana effigies set ablaze, fireworks and the prime minister joining the festivities.

21 October 2026

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Nine Emperor Gods Festival: Devotees walk across burning embers for good luck

Devotees walked on fire for good luck at Malaysia’s Nine Emperor festival, with fireworks, a lion dance and blessings at a temple in Kuala Pilah.

21 October 2026

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Kazakhstan’s first Open Asian Falconry Cup showcases ancient hunting heritage

Kazakhstan hosted its first Open Asian Falconry Cup on 9 and 10 October in Bozanbay, a village in the country's east, bringing together 176 falconers from 10 countries.

13 October 2026

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Tokyo sleep competition offers 2 million yen prize to best sleeper

A Tokyo sleep competition organised by Koala offered ¥2 million to the best sleeper, highlighting Japan’s long-hours work culture and sleep deprivation.

7 October 2026

Explore

Balloons, baths and poppy-seed cuisine: discover Afyonkarahisar

In partnership with GoTürkiye

In Afyonkarahisar, hot air balloons drift over 3,000-year-old Phrygian rock carvings, mineral-rich thermal springs have drawn visitors since 1200 BC, and poppy seeds define a UNESCO-recognised culinary tradition.

7 October 2026

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New York hosts secret dîner en blanc with Parisian belle époque theme

Thousands dressed in white gather at a secret New York location for Dîner en Blanc, an annual outdoor dinner with a Parisian Belle Époque theme.

2 October 2026

Cult

Qatar exhibits Uzbekistan’s rich cultural heritage

In partnership with Media City

Qatar’s Museum of Islamic Art spotlights Uzbekistan’s rich cultural heritage. We meet the curator of ‘Uzbekistan: Heritage in Motion’ to learn about centuries of Islamic art, craftsmanship and traditions.

1 October 2026

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Young martial artists train in China’s ancient mountain schools

Young students from China and abroad train in tai chi and kung fu on the Wudang Mountains, where Taoist philosophy shapes martial arts and daily life.

1 October 2026

Cult

Uzeyir Hajibeyli festival celebrates a lasting musical legacy

In partnership with Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s musical legacy continues to bring different traditions together, inspiring an international festival spanning concerts, culture and musical exchange.

30 September 2026

Silk Road Adventures

Inside the workshops keeping Uzbekistan’s traditional crafts alive

In partnership with Center for the Production of Content for Mass Media under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Traditional workshops in Uzbekistan are teaching younger generations the skills behind woodcarving, embroidery and ceramics, while adapting their work to contemporary tastes and new opportunities.

29 September 2026

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London’s Southwark Bridge turns into woolly parade at annual Sheep Drive charity event

Sheep took over Southwark Bridge in London on Sunday, 27 September, as the city hosted its annual Woolmen’s Sheep Drive.

28 September 2026

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Austria: Yodelling tradition goes underground in Graz

Austria's yodellers are using a Graz underground car park for its rich acoustics, bringing an Alpine tradition to an unusual urban setting.

25 September 2026

Azerbaijan

Udi Christians worship at Azerbaijan's Karabakh monasteries

A religious service at the historic Gandzasar monastery has offered a rare insight into Karabakh’s Christian heritage, as historic religious disputes linger while Azerbaijan and Armenia work toward lasting peace.

24 September 2026

Modern Nomads

Turkistan: Mountains and heritage

In partnership with MDQ

Ranked among Kazakhstan’s top five domestic tourist destinations, the Turkistan region blends nature, history and spirituality, revealing the rich heritage of the country’s southern region.

23 September 2026