7. Greece’s Fireworks Wars
Where: Greece
Price: The bell tower, possibly
Ventrados, on the Greek island of Chios is well-known for its boisterous Rouketopolemos fireworks celebration. On Easter Sunday (the Orthodox one), when the clock strikes midnight, it’s game time for two competing church congregations.
Greece’s Fireworks Wars
Tens of thousands of homemade pyrotechnics are fired at each other by these hilltop congregations in an attempt to destroy the other’s bell tower. The fireworks battles have been around since the Ottoman Empire and are a lot of fun, although being somewhat dangerous.
8. The Catherinettes’ Tradition
Where: France
Price range: $10–$50 for a chic hat
French women in their twenty-fives without children celebrate a very special tradition on November 25. They spend the entire date donning green and yellow hats. Colleagues or friends craft the hats, which feature symbols representing the women’s occupations and interests.
The Catherinettes’ Tradition
These days, it’s more of an excuse to wear a fancy hat and go around town than it is to “pray all day for a husband,” as these novelty-hat wearing Catherinettes are intended to do. The hat’s green color represents wisdom, and its yellow color represents trust.
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