India - Holi Festival of Color

Photos: AP / Sucheta Das, Manish Swarup, Biswaranjan Rout

Amazing carnaval Rio 2008

February 2, in the city of Rio de Janeiro has launched a traditional carnival. Rio de Janeiro is among the biggest cities in South America and the most popular of cultural celebrations is the Carnaval.

Photos: ©Reuters, AP, AFP, DPA

The fire festival "Up-Helly-Aa"

"Up-Helly-Aa" is a very impressive spectacle, a celebration of Shetland history, and a triumphant demonstration of the islanders' skills and spirit. This northern Mardi Gras lasts just one day (and night) and held on the last Tuesday in January. Only men can take an active part in the celebrations "Up-Helly-Aa". The first celebration was in 1878.

Lerwick, Scotland. (Photo: AFP)

Sancheoneo Ice Festival in Korea

People drop lines in holes on a frozen river at a trout fishing festivity in Hwacheon, about 20 km (12 miles) south of the demilitarised zone separating two Koreas, northeast of Seoul. The trout fishing event was part of the annual ice festival, which attracted more than 1,000,000 people and lasts for three weeks in January.

(Xinhua Photo)