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Unusual Festivals On October 31, in many countries children and adults dress up in unusual costumes.,;~ o' j ,, 1 ll 1 " "' -~ ., ' -~i S ~ -l -~ J :'~ !j .:~ .,

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 There is a legend in Cocullo that the surrounding mountains and forests were once full of poisonous snakes.This festival is held each year in the tiny village of Cocullo, which is surrounded by sorne of Italy's wildest forests.Many of the people from Cocullo who went into these areas died after being bitten by the poisonous snakes.Farmers bring thousands of tomatoes from around the countryside, and the festival begins with the firing of a rocket.Apollo told them to capture the snakes, put them around his statue in the village, and then put them back in the mountains and forests.Now a statue of a Christian saint, Domenica, has replaced the statue of the Greek god Apollo.Celebrations begin on Saint Joseph's Day, March 19, when the first snakes of the season are captured and put in cages.After church, the statue of Saint Domenica is carried through the streets, and villagers put the captured snakes around his statue.Sorne become witches or ghosts; others dress up as trees, goats, and in other very unusual costumes.Every country has its own singular festivals.,...~

Unusual Festivals
On October 31, in many countries children and adults dress up in unusual costumes. Sorne become witches or ghosts; others dress up as trees, goats, and in other very unusual costumes. October 31 is, of course, Halloween. This festival started in Europe and has spread to all parts of the world. However, not all celebrations spread around the world. Every country has its own singular festivals. Here are sorne of the more unusual ones.
Festival of Snakes
Many people are afraid of snakes. In sorne parts of the world, snakes are regarded as
evil or, at least, dangerous. But, there is one small village in Italy where the people seem to worship snakes. They show their respect and love for snakes with a festival. This festival is held each year in the tiny village of Cocullo, which is surrounded by sorne of Italy's wildest forests.
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There is a legend in Cocullo that the surrounding mountains and forests were once full of poisonous snakes. Many of the people from Cocullo who went into these areas died after being bitten by the poisonous snakes. In 700 B. C., the villagers prayed to Apollo, a Greek god, for help. Apollo told them to capture the snakes, put them around his statue in the village, and then put them back in the mountains and forests.
This seemed to work, and the ritual has been repeated ever since. Over the years, the villagers have made sorne changes to this tradition. Now a statue of a Christian saint, Domenica, has replaced the statue of the Greek god Apollo. In addition, the villagers have added fireworks to the festival.
Celebrations begin on Saint Joseph's Day, March 19, when the first snakes of the season are captured and put in cages. Two months later, on the first Thursday in May, villagers set off fireworks and then go to church. After church, the statue of Saint Domenica is carried through the streets, and villagers put the captured snakes around his statue. Then, more fireworks are set off. At the edge of the village, the snakes are set free in the forest, and the villagers believe that they are immune from snakebites for another year.
La Tomatina
The festival of La Tomatina in Buñol, Spain, is very simple. Everyone throws tomatoes at each other on the last Wednesday of August. The town's streets turn bright red as over 20,000 people hit each other with large, red, soft tomatoes.
There are many ideas on how
the festival started. The most likely explanation is that it started as a fight between poor and rich teenagers. No one knows who threw the first tomato, but somehow they began throwing tomatoes at each other.
It soon became a point of honor to meet on the same day in town. Over the years, this local event has become a national event. It is no longer a war between poor and rich and is now an exciting time for young people to have a good time throwing tomatoes
at everyone.
The standard uniform is an old T-shirt, old shorts, and safety glasses. Farmers bring thousands of tomatoes from around the countryside, and the festival begins with the firing of a rocket. An hour later, the end of the festival is announced with the firing of another rocket, and everyone begins to clean up the town.
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