SaiL Amsterdam — Parade of ships

SAIL Amsterdam is a large maritime event held every five years in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Tall ships from all over the world visit the city to moor in its Eastern harbour, and people can then visit the ships for four days (free of charge). The event was organised for the first time in 1975 to celebrate the 700th anniversary of Amsterdam, under the name 'Sail Amsterdam 700'. At that time, interest in tall ships, which had sunk to a low since the 1930s when the last commercial tall ships had been built, was starting to rise[citation needed]. The success of Sail Amsterdam 700 led to the establishment of the Stichting Sail Amsterdam (SSA, Foundation Sail Amsterdam). More images after the break...

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Venice Regatta Storica

Every year the first Sunday in September, held in Venice Historical Regatta (Regata  ). The festival is held around the subsequent scenario: first, held a parade - Hundreds of residents in elegant Venetian costumes sit in the gondolas of various sizes and swim through a large column, and then arrange four boat races of various types. Hence the name - Regatta. It is noteworthy that, instead of medals, the winners presented with flags. Previously, except for flags, gave more and live pigs, but the World Organization for the Protection of Animals PETA banned this funny prize several years ago. More images after the break...

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Cascamorras — Festival Celebrated in Spain

According to legend, the origin of “La Fiesta del Cascamorras” can be traced back to 1490, when Don Luis de Acuña Herrera decided to built the Church of Mercy in the town of Baza, where a Moazarabic mosque had previously been erected. While chiseling a block of plaster, Juan Pedernal, a worker from the nearby town of Guadix, heard a soft, soothing voice coming from inside a cavern, which said “Have mercy!”. Upon examining the cavity he stumbled upon a statue of the Virgin Mary, that came to be known as “Our Lady of Mercy”. More images and video after the break...
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