Tradition

Culture news

Halloween in Portugal: from Pão por Deus to Goat and Canhoto, how Portugal celebrates Witches' Day

Carved pumpkins, sinister masks and children knocking on doors. Besides Halloween, "Pão por Deus" survives: in Portugal these are two ways to mark the year's scariest time.

30 October 2026

No Comment

Mexico: world's tallest Catrina unveiled for Día de Muertos in Mexico City

A 33.4-metre Catrina has broken a Guinness World Record in Mexico City. Towering over the Zócalo, the giant skeleton is surrounded by thousands of marigolds ahead of Day of the Dead celebrations.

30 October 2026

Grand Voyager

Grand Voyager | Exploring Azerbaijan

In partnership with Media City

Azerbaijan is a country rich in history, culture, and natural wonders. In this episode of Grand Voyager, Lilly Douse explores Baku’s historic Old City, discovers the ancient rock carvings of Gobustan and visits the region's mud volcanoes.

28 October 2026

Modern Nomads

Discovering the birthplace of apples

In partnership with MDQ

In this episode of Modern Nomads, we head to southern Kazakhstan to uncover the birthplace of apples.

28 October 2026

No Comment

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

No Comment

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

No Comment

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

No Comment

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

No Comment

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

No Comment

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

No Comment

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

No Comment

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