Two “armies” on the warpath are dressed in traditional uniforms – white shirts – look at each other menacingly, their weapons standby… The fight begins and the whiteness of outfits gets mixed with maroon – thanks God, it isn’t blood but nice Spanish wine! Today in one of Spanish provinces annual Battle of Wine is held.
People who reverently care about every drop of heady ruby liquid spilt in vain may get numb on realization of the fact that for more than a hundred years in a row the day comes when over 50 thousand liters of the merry drink from La Rioja region are purposely poured out. Just like that, for fun… At a specified time – as a rule, starting from 8 a.m. – and in a specified place – nearby so-called Cliffs of Bilibio – two rival teams gather from neighboring cities Haro and Miranda de Ebro. Their armament in the shape of bottles, buckets, bowls, watering cans and stuff like that is loaded with liquid alcohol “bullets”. City authorities, who encourage the festival, are the fist ones to make their strikes…Photo iledebeaute.ru
However alongside the main motive – entertainment – large scale merrymaking has a second, historic, component. According to one of the versions, some three hundred years ago one true war broke out between inhabitants of the villages over the territory where those Cliffs of Bilibio are now situated. After the territory had been divided the festival was founded in the sign of reconciliation.
In merely 15-20 minutes after the battle begins, “confrontation” of clans is forgotten about and any participant can become subject to an attack. “Every man for himself” instantly becomes a motto of the action. Liters of wine are sprayed and gushed on foes, on friends, on unarmed journalists and on 50 000 of watching tourists. Some of them, when obtaining ammunition from locals, instantly try to make off running away from the battle’s epicenter to use the drink conventionally – i.e. orally. But should extremely “furious” and already fairly tipsy “warriors” find a fugitive, all the weapons will be used against them…Photo belgusto.com.ua
With the battle slightly faded, happy hellbenders in wet red t-shirts head to the second stage of the celebration – to dinner at the cliffs’ foot. Now that we mention it, several dishes made of snails are must-be items in the menu of the feast. Glorifying Bacchus, belting out folk songs and “fraternally” sharing the remains of “rioja”, participants rest here till sunset. But don’t let your guard down, wine rumble isn’t over yet! The most desperate fighters group into detachments and go outside the area of military actions at their own will. Wandering around the cities, radicals “shoot” harmless civilians. So, should you happen to be in Haro or Miranda de Ebro on this day, you by no means crank down car windows, sit near windows in cafes and most importantly don’t put on light expensive clothes… Photo compra-vino.com
To build a settlement on flatland - is this such a hard trick to pull off? A completely different story is when land is self-willed and rock-ribbed both directly and metaphorically speaking. People have been trying to master land and have own say in in-rock urban development for centuries. But only those who succeded in finding common ground with Earth managed to create true novels in stone.
As a child I could spend hours gazing at the sky and spying majestic flocks of birds winging their way south. For a kid this movement was a real magic. Today my bookshelf hosts almost no books about magic, though I am still excited about feathered tribes travelling in hope to land on their winter grounds.
Ice and snow has long been used by artists to create different figures and objects, and only 1960, this age-old skill became a new trend of a land art! The largest number of winter artworks is created during special festivals about which we will tell our readers.
For not to have among our readers too many sad and whiny people counting days till summer or even warm spring days, the OUTLOOK would like to share at least one reason to love the cold season with all heart. The opportunity is to go to the Chinese city of Harbin and eyewitness fantastic and cool festival of ice and snow.
Today OUTLOOK travels along the cities and countries that are considered as the most interesting from the point of view of geography and administrative management. Moreover, they are enclaves as they are located within the territories of other states.
It has been known since olden times that wine-making process is a true art that is within the power only of the ones sincerely in love with their trade. Let alone beauty of masterpieces created by skillful hands – grape gardens, scattered in various nooks of the world, that impress with grandeur and adorn this planet, ornamenting it with bright juicy colors.
An open pomegranate lined with rows of whitewashed houses and lavishly dotted with grains of various abbeys, palaces and cathedrals –that is how looks Granada anchored on the reddish hills of the Spanish Andalusia. The ability to mingled opposites turned the city into one of the most alluring destinations not only in Spain but also in Europe.
The capital of Catalonia, Barcelona is not only a resort area, but historically rich city with its own unique style, lively atmosphere and southern temper. Probably every visitor is sure to enjoy a leisurely promenade on Las Ramblas - a broad pedestrian boulevard, which is our topic today.
Marketing gurus and restaurateurs are enterprising and ready to do anything to increase flow of visitors to their food courts. Quite often, their methods of "flirting" with the public are the same, interior designs and menus are not much different. So, we have collated for you the world’s wackiest, weirdest, out-of-this-world dining establishments.
For 1 month spring has been reining our planet, now just watch warm coats to change for thin jackets, cold and mediocrity for the bright sun. And, of course, what sort of spring it could be without green trees and beautiful flowers? Well, in order to make your expectation of long-awaited colours and flavours less agonizing...
Spain is lavish in architecturally rich cities. But there are special among them: the ones where monuments of the past and daily life of contemporaries are intertwined so tightly and unexpectedly at times that the city seems to be living in two worlds. Today OUTLOOK suggests you enjoy one of them – Salamanca: the city where frog brings all kinds of luck.
What most people know about flamenco, is that this dance is manifestation of neither love and affection, nor entertainment and revelry fun. Fiery expressive flamenco is reflection of suffering and pain of an individual within nation, always persecuted and deprived of home. The dance itself, which has become a global symbol of Spain, is not only its national heritage...
Should we have a look at notes of those who plan their trips to Spain, next to the darling of all hearts, Barcelona, Montserrat is bound to rank second. Also, the mountain of the abbey is a must-visit spot for local dwellers, too – they believe it necessary to visit Catalonia’s religious heart at least once a year.
How many kinds of tourism are there? Gastro, ecotourism, shopping — there are probably as many varieties of them as travelers themselves — everyone choose what they want. Today we talk about people visiting places that have become locations for shoting famous movies.
Summer is up to come very soon which means that it is time to plan a vacation, pack your bags and make up a list of must visit destinations. We understand that in a busy city it is hard to find a place where absolute silence reigns. It is natural for all humans to search for tranquillity sometimes. If you are one of these people, then breath out with relief.
The best gift for ladies is flowers. The truth is, it is incredibly romantic and beautiful, suitable for any age and status. Especially nice it is when there is plenty of flowers. Dozens upon dozens! And where else can you admire floral beauty if not at the festival? We selected five the most famous and flowery fests from around the world.
Spanish clothes aren’t limited to high-quality low-price mass-market. Stuff from this country has easily found ready sale around the world for several centuries already. And it makes sense because everything began with national outfit that “infected” the whole Europe with its exceptional beauty and fancy and still amazes people nowadays.
Visiting Spain, probably every tourist at least once heard about an intention of the inhabitants of a successful Barcelona and its neighbouring towns to declare independence. From time to time this topic comes up in international news, dragging attention and overshadowing history of the Basques - another special people in the Pyrenees.
During the days of the famous Carnival, romantic Venice gets rebirth. Its streets are shining with premonition of holiday, and all the eyes show a whole range of joyful emotions: from euphoria to the familiar thought "Is this happening to me?" Noteworthy, that according to estimates of very punctual travellers, more than half a million tourists come to event.
Lovers of olives and olive oil mark small town of Baena on the map of Spain with the red pen. Annually from November 9 till November 11 it becomes the place where gastronomists from all over the world gather. Various events, background information and plenty of diverse delicacies are awaiting those who dare crack the stone of wonder-fruit.
Photo iledebeaute.ru
Photo belgusto.com.ua
