There are two important events in Mid-February of 2021: the start of the Year of the Ox and Valentine’s Day. Happiness and romance are in the air. Both at home and abroad various celebrations are held for the two western and Chinese festivals. Here are some activities recommended to you and few people will miss the chance to join in them.

Carnival, a festival marked by merrymaking and processions, is celebrated throughout Brazil, but the biggest party is in Rio de Janeiro.

【小题1】 You may wish to participate in it when you visualize thousands of people in costumes, dancing together, followed by lights, musical instruments and singing songs aloud with the help of a crowd of almost 100,000 viewers sitting in the avenue stands.

But the parade (游行) preparations are not easy.【小题2】 Everything must be done by the time the parade is held in February, summertime in Brazil.

The song creation is one of the most important parts of the celebration. The samba music is the life of the parade. A group of musicians and writers chooses a historical theme and transforms it into an upbeat piece of music. 【小题3】 It must make it impossible for those who are listening to stand still.

In the same way, the costumes add beauty and color to the parade.【小题4】 Satin, feathers, and many other flashy materials are used. The costumes are chosen according to the theme. Most parade groups allow tourists to participate, but they also must wear the costumes, which can cost from $300 to more than $1,400. Every parade participant can choose which part of the group they want to be, and then they plan their costumes accordingly.

Put it all together and add the most excited and happy people, and it is easy to see why the parade is the centerpiece of the carnival. The mix of culture, art and fun attracts people. So, what are you waiting for?【小题5】

Whether you call Germany home or are just visiting, going to festivals is a great way to experience the country’s culture. Here are the best events to attend.

Karneval is a 40-day party season which takes place between February and March. The largest and most well-known one of these celebrations in Germany takes place in Cologne. The period sees street parties pop up all across the city. The tradition dates back to medieval (中世纪的) times when people lived under strict rules. However, the Germans are certainly making up for it now.

Held for five days at the Frankfurt Trade Fair grounds in Frankfurt, the event dates back to the 15th century. Today, it is the world’s largest trade fair for books and is considered to be the most important one for international deals and trading. While the first three days are restricted (限制) only to professional visitors, the general public can attend on the weekend.

Taking place during the Easter period, this is the largest music festival in Thuringia and has more than 60 concerts in the historic Bach sites. These show the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Each year, the festival opens with a long night of house music. For one evening, more than a hundred public house concerts take place in private living rooms across the state.

The evening sees between 70 and 80 of the city’s museums open late for the public to visit. Visitors are given an entrance pass to all the exhibits (展览品) within the area. They can meet interesting guests, and dance the night away to live music, and more. With foods and drinks on offer in many places, it’s no wonder this is one of the most popular German festivals.