Reading Passage​

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People in every country love to celebrate, and some of the most unusual festivals in the world are also the most exciting. These festivals are often about fun, games, or even a little danger. They show how much people enjoy laughing together and sharing unforgettable experiences.

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Many of these festivals are based on long traditions that bring people back year after year. Some are serious and honour the past, while others are playful and full of games. Either way, traditions give people reasons to gather, take part, and feel part of their community.

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Some of the most colourful festivals are also the messiest. In Spain, La Tomatina covers the whole town in red as thousands of people throw tomatoes at each other. In South Korea, the Boryeong Mud Festival turns the streets into a giant mud playground where people slide, wrestle, and laugh together. These bright and messy celebrations are loved by locals and visitors alike.

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Every year, these unusual gatherings become major events for their towns. In Italy, the Battle of the Oranges sees groups of people throwing fruit across the streets in a friendly fight. In England, the famous Cheese Rolling Festival has brave runners chasing a round of cheese down a steep hill, often falling and rolling with it. These events are exciting to watch and take part in.

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Many festivals also include a lively parade. In Brazil, Carnival parades are filled with dancers, music, and sparkling costumes, while in Japan, the Hadaka Matsuri has thousands of men in traditional cloth belts running together for good luck. Parades set the stage for the celebrations and bring whole communities into the spirit of the festival.

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Music and dance are central to almost every performance at festivals. In Thailand, the Monkey Buffet Festival is famous because the monkeys themselves are the guests, enjoying tables filled with fruit while crowds watch and cheer. Performances like these add fun and energy, and they make each festival unique.

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Striking costumes are also a big part of festivals. In Venice, Carnival is known for its masks and long gowns, and in Spain, during the baby-jumping festival, men in colourful outfits leap carefully over rows of babies lying safely on mats. These costumes amaze the crowd and create moments that are talked about for years.

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These festivals highlight the richness of human culture. They are chances for people to come together to enjoy food, music, dance, or simply playful fun. The atmosphere is always exciting, and each local community shows its unique character, whether through costumes, parades, or unusual games. Festivals remind us that celebration can take many forms, from joyful tradition to crazy fun.