Latest news with #traditions
CBC
20 hours ago
- General
- CBC
'Such joy': Abegweit First Nation's annual mawi'omi connects community through culture
People from Abegweit First Nation in Scotchfort, P.E.I, came together Sunday for their annual mawio'mi. It's a time to celebrate the rich Mi'kmaw culture, traditions and community. CBC's Delaney Kelly was there.
The Independent
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Father's Day spending expected to hit record high despite economic uncertainty
Father's Day spending is expected to hit a record high this year despite Americans facing economic uncertainty. Americans plan to spend $24 billion this year on gifts for dad, and other loved ones, the National Retail Federation discovered in a survey. It said around 48 percent of Americans will buy a gift for their father or stepfather, 25 percent plan to buy gifts for husbands, and 12 percent will get a gift for their sons. On average, consumers are planning to spend $199.38 per person, up almost $10 from last year. 'Americans are embracing meaningful traditions and holidays, and this Father's Day, spending on gifts and other holiday items is expected to reach record levels,' NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen said. The previous record high for Father's Day gift-buying was $22.9bn in 2023. Last year wasn't too far off with $22.4bn spent on the special father figures in Americans' lives. This expected uptick in holiday spending comes at a time when a majority of consumers are having negative feelings about the current and future state of the economy. A poll from April conducted by The Economist / YouGov found that 40 percent of Americans believe the current state of the economy is 'poor.' Around 53 percent of respondents believe the economy is getting worse. The poll was conducted days after President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on all countries, even U.S. allies. He quickly issued a 90-day pause on many tariffs. Inflation has cooled and 177,000 jobs were added in April, but Trump's unpredictable trade policy still concerns economists. What Are People Buying For Father's Day? This year, much like in recent years, 58 percent of consumers plan to buy a greeting card, 55 percent plan to buy clothing, 53 percent plan to spend money on a special outing and 50 percent are expected to purchase gift cards for their loved ones, according to the NRF survey. Two types of gifts, subscription boxes and gifts of experience, have been on the rise in recent years. This year, 43 percent of Americans plan to gift a subscription box for Father's Day, up 34 percent from 2019. And 30 percent of consumers are expected to spend money on an experience to give to their loved ones, a 23 percent increase from six years ago. 'As consumers prioritize Father's Day gifts that are unique or create special memories, categories such as special outings and personal care items have seen an increase in popularity this year,' Prosper Executive Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist said in NRF's press release.
The National
23-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The National
'Muratabat': Arabic word for refreshments is about hydration and also hospitality
As temperatures climb and the days become languid in the heat, it is natural to start finding ways to cool down. As such, this week we are turning our attention to a word that is light and soothing. Muratabat is often translated as refreshments. Its singular form is muratib. Our Arabic word of the week evokes images of chilled drinks, slices of fruits and the sweet rituals that offer relief from the summer swelter. Muratabat also has several linguistic and cultural layers beyond its culinary connotations. But we will start in the pantry. While muratabat often refers to iced drinks and refreshments, it can also refer to hot drinks such as tea (shai) or coffee (qahwa). A place that sells refreshments can be referred to as mahal muratabat. If you have been served refreshments at a gathering, you could say 'al diyafa kanet muratabat'. The word is also used in a metaphorical capacity. Of diffusing the tension in the air, you could say 'rattaba al jow', making sure to accentuate the second consonant. Breaking down muratabat, we get words such as ratb, meaning fresh or soft – and it also refers to dates that are just on the verge of ripening. Another word in the root of muratabat is rutuba, which refers to moisture and humidity. Murattib can also refer to moisturisers such as creams. Another form of the word, ratiba, is often used to describe a sense of relief – such as ratiba qalbahu, referring to the heart. Like many Arabic words, muratabat doesn't just describe an object, but evokes an atmosphere of good company. Muratabat is not merely about an icy glass of fresh juice or a soothing cup of tea. The word brings to mind the act of hosting, of offering comfort. A tray of muratabat is not just about hydration, but hospitality.
Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The 10 best things to do in Sardinia
Where to start? Giants' tombs, mysterious Nuraghic fortresses, or exquisite sandy beaches lapped by impossibly turquoise sea? Then there's the mountainous interior, excellent for hiking. But one of the best ways to experience Sardinia is to arrange your trip around one its many festivals. Sardinians are immensely proud of their traditions and you'll see intricate costumes, taste local foods and hear some of the most unusual music – polyphonic folk singing, accompanied by launeddas (pipes) that have been played for over 3,000 years. For further inspiration, see our guide to Sardinia and the island's best hotels, restaurants, nightlife and beaches. Find things to do by area Cagliari Porto Cervo Golfo Aranci Arzachena Pula Nuoro Asinara Barbagia Cagliari Meet Sardinia's 'stone army' Up in Cagliari's Castello area is a museum complex that includes one of Sardinia's finest archeological museums, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, which has exhibits dating back to 6000 BC. Unmissable is the Sardinian 'stone army': the sculptures, which are more than three metres high, with some weighing over 400 kilos, are 500 years older than China's Terracotta Army. Other fascinating exhibits include a collection of 'pintadera' – terracotta plates used to showcase the breads created for Sardinia's many festivals. Insider tip: In the museum complex is a decent art gallery, a museum of Far Eastern art, and a collection of weird 19th-century anatomical wax specimens. Get swept up in the festivities of a four-day festival Every May, Cagliari celebrates the city's survival from a 17th-century plague, and gives thanks to its patron saint, Sant'Efisio. The four-day festival starts at the church of Sant'Efisio, and hundreds of participants from all over the island, wearing their town's typical costume, accompany an effigy of Sant'Efisio (which normally resides in the church), 40 kilometres down the coast to Nora, then back, accompanied by musicians, enormous bread 'sculptures', and thousands of followers. Insider tip: This is an excellent opportunity to hear musicians playing the ancient launeddas (pipes), as well as extraordinary polyphonic folk singing. Events carry on well into the evening, so head for Piazza del Carmine for more music and celebrating. Flock to see Cagliari's resident flamingos The Molentargius-Saline Regional Park, spread over 1,600 hectares, was established in 1999 in order to protect the vast numbers of waterfowl that came to nest and winter here each year. Today it has the widest range of species in the Mediterranean, and is the most important site for flamingos, which number in their tens of thousands. Spring and early summer are the best times to see the flamingos. The area had been designated a world heritage site in 1976. As well as birdlife, there are a number of buildings dating back to the 1900s that reflect the area's mining past. Insider tip: The park takes its name from the men who used to lead the donkeys (su molenti) that carried salt from the plains. One of the best ways to explore the park is by bike, and it's possible to hire binoculars from the park's Infopoint. Porto Cervo Spot symbolism in a beautiful church Porto Cervo's Stella Maris church is situated on a hill overlooking the sea, and the story behind it is as beautiful as the church itself: the Aga Khan, the Imam of Ismaili Muslims, who died in February 2025, wanted to give thanks to the Catholic population for allowing him to develop the area. He commissioned the architect who had been most involved in the creation of the Costa Smeralda, Michele Busiri Vici, to build the extraordinary church for the people. Insider tip: The church is full of symbolism: the undulation of the whitewashed exterior is reminiscent of waves. The cupola, decorated in curved tiles, reminds you of the turquoise sea, and six monolithic columns of local granite support the front of the building. Look out for 16th-century artist El Greco's 'Mater Dolorosa'. Golfo Aranci Dive with Dolphins and discover underwater marine flora A thriving community of bottlenose dolphins lives in the waters of the Golfo Aranci (not least because of the location of a nearby fish farm that provides rich pickings) and Gabbiano Azzurro Hotel hosts regular boat trips that enable you to watch them feed and play, close up. You can even go snorkelling alongside them. Insider tip: Discover underwater marine flora and fauna with PADI-qualified scuba divers. Explore the marine protected areas of Tavolara and the Molara Islands, as well as the natural reserve of Figarolo and Capofigari and the Island of Mortorio. Arzachena Be awestruck by the Giants' Tomb The Tomba dei Giganti (Giants' tomb) dates from around 1600 BC, and one of the best preserved is at Coddu Vecchiu, in Arzachena. The site was only excavated in 1966 and little is known about the 11 granite stones that are arranged in a semicircle, measuring around 12 metres across, but it is thought that the arrangement might harness some subterranean energy for the purposes of rejuvenation – an abiding theme in Sardinia. The central stele – about four metres high – incorporates the entrance to the megalithic tomb beyond. Some suggest that the shape of the construction depicts that of a woman giving birth. Insider tip: Though thought to have been a tomb for a giant, the most likely explanation, if less 'Game of Thrones', is that it was a communal burial chamber. That said, the Bell Beaker people, who probably arrived here before making for Britain, were thought to be pretty tall. Price: Free Pula Walk in the footsteps of the Carthaginians Just outside the pretty town of Pula, along the coast from Cagliari, the ancient site of Nora holds Sardinia's most impressive Carthaginian and Roman ruins, which include mosaics, temples and thermal baths. Its situation, overlooking the sea, makes the site even more spectacular. The tours are fascinating, thanks to the enthusiastic guides who provide plenty of information about the site. Insider tip: When you're done, there are several beaches nearby, but a 20-minute drive takes you to Chia, where you'll find a series of magnificent bays, beyond which lie the lagoons that are such important flamingo breeding grounds. Price: £ Nuoro Admire the variety and intricacy of Sardinia's local costumes The largest ethnographic museum in Sardinia, Museo del Costume, explores the island's rich culture through its costumes, jewellery, and musical instruments, including a 3,000-year-old launeddas – an ancient trio of pipes that sounds something like a set of bagpipes. There's even a section on bread: there are 100s of different bread designs that are used for the island's many festivals. Insider tip: Entrance is free on the first Sunday of the month, otherwise 5 euros. A combined ticket for 8 euros includes entrance to the Deleddiano Museum dedicated to the life of Sardinia's winner of the 1926 Nobel Prize in Literature, Grazia Deledda. Asinara Meet the white donkeys of Asinara North of Sassari lies the island of Asinara – Sardinia's Alcatraz – which was once a 19th-century penal colony, World War 1 prisoner-of-war camp, and, during the 1970s, a prison. Today it's a superb marine and wildlife reserve, and its most unusual residents are the albino donkeys. Insider tip: The island is excellent for walking and cycling, and has a couple of lovely beaches, including Cala d'Oliva. It's also possible to visit the old prison buildings. Boats leave Stintino at 9.30am and return at 4.30pm. Barbagia Discover Sardinia's wild interior (and bizarre festivals) The mountainous region of Barbagia has wonderful trails for walkers, and many of its own festivals, including the extraordinary Mamoaida (February), a truly bizarre re-enactment of the victory of Barbagian shepherds over Saracen invaders: the Issohadores ('shepherds' dressed in red felt waistcoats) lead, by rope, the Mamuthones ('captured Saracens' wearing black wooden masks and sheepskins with cowbells attached) through the streets. Hundreds of murals colour the streets of Orgosolo and have much to impart about the strength of resistance on the island. Themes range from the depiction of rural life – including the work of women and shepherds – to the socio-political struggles for power. How we choose Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Jan Fuscoe is Telegraph Travel's Sardinia expert, and spends much of the summer there. She's met a woman who weaves gold thread from giant mussel 'bisso', and hung out with a Sardinian beekeeper, but can mostly be found swimming in the sea.
Times
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
The fate of fêtes hangs in the balance in rural France
There are donkey rides, stands, trampolines, historical re-enactments as well as food and drink aplenty, as villages across France hold their traditional fêtes this spring. In the east, Ungersheim is looking forward to its annual pig race this month. Saint-Quay-Portrieux in Brittany held its yearly scallop festival a fortnight ago, as Retjons in the south offered a pétanque competition, a car boot sale, paella and wine. Yet for the organisers, it is not all fun, games and gastronomy — they say folk traditions are at risk of petering out due to rising costs, fewer helpers and an escalation in red tape. 'Fêtes are under threat,' according to Thomas Meslin, head of development of Les Plus Belles Fêtes de France (France's Most Beautiful Fêtes), an association
