Confolens Festival in Poitou-Charentes, France

Confolens Dance Festival was started by Henri Coursaget, local man, as a way to make a contribution to the world and is now a significant international folk festival.

During World War II Coursaget, who only died in March 2011, was the only member of his group of French resistance to survive. During many years later he tried to answer the question: "Why me? ' and memories of their teenage friends fallen left determined to give his life some meaning.

And so he did. Using the means unlikely dance and traditional music, Coursaget deceived political obstacles and face down dictators to gather people from different countries and cultures in a non-stop singing, dancing and stomping their feet. In doing so, he not only transformed an obscure folk festival in a French provincial city in the world's largest and part of a global network of more than 300 events linked the Conseil International des organisations de festivals folklore et art Traditionnel (CIOFF). He was also an internationally acclaimed CIOFF activist for world peace.

UNESCO, who is affiliated with CIOFF, awarded its highest honor Coursaget, Picasso Medal, in recognition of his contribution to the cultural arts and for its unconditional promotion of peace, friendship and understanding.

In the second week of August is when the entourage festival come to Confolens, hometown of Coursaget, and where it all began in 1957. A pharmacist by trade, when Coursaget originally designed the folk festival was as a desperate attempt to revive a dying city. ' If you saw two people gathered in one place that you wondered what was happening, ' Coursaget laughs.

Over the next 10 years, however, Coursaget Unit saw the festival grow from a simple one-day event for an extravaganza celebrates over many days. "But I felt I had the potential to be something more," he says.

In 1970 he released CIOFF, going global, made its first international bond Act, when he launched a call for Soviet Union to join. Despite the tense political climate, a Government delegation traveled from Moscow to Confolens and after a day of talks and became a member, stating ' understood the spirit behind the festival '.

Five years later, CIOFF became affiliated to UNESCO which, in the face of globalisation, accused CIOFF ' keeping traditional folklore of the world and therefore, the promotion of peace among people.

Is a role that Coursaget took very seriously during the dictatorship of General Pinochet in Chile, for example, he flew to Santiago at considerable risk to protest the arrest and torture of musicians. ' Over the years I have experienced the best and the worst in the world, ' he says, becoming a little teary. ' I choose to concentrate on what is good, then it can be used to build a better world in the future. CIOFF has 5000 works of charity work with it. "Each one does so in the spirit of fraternity, regardless of colour, language or political," he said.

Coursaget met a long list of Heads of State and was given a private audience with the late Pope John Paul II, who encouraged her to continue because ' the world needs more people like you '. Coursaget, however was humble about his contribution. "It was never about being superior to all others," he said. ' Yes, I feel I did something in my life, but everything I do, I do for my friends who have died. '

The event brings in 100000 people throughout France and abroad, who arrive to see up to 500 elaborately dressed dancers from different countries.

Inti Raymi Festival in Cusco: traditional sunshine

While some people feel many aspects of ancient Inca traditions and culture were lost over time, there is an important conclusion that, without doubt, is still alive and well within the heart of the Inca Cusco. Inti Raymi translated from Inca Quechua language means "The Festival of the Sun" is held annually on June 24, the winter solstice, when the Sun is farthest from the Earth.

The importance of this festival can be traced to ancient times when out of fear of hunger, the Incas would converge in Cusco to pay tribute to the Sun God and pray for him to return to them. Some of the traditional forms of honoring the God of the Sun were fasting, give gifts and denying any mortal pleasures. They also created a lavish feast of bread, meat and traditional beverages such as tea chicha and native coca and readied for sacrifice llamas bring favor in their fields and harvest.

The celebrations were considered as pagans and anti-Catholic in 1572 by Viceroy Toledo and for years the traditional festival took place secretly out of sight of the strict practice of churches. Today, however, he became the second biggest festival in South America. Tourists from all over the world arrive to Cusco to celebrate the feast day of the week, with special events taking place each day there are exhibitions, dancing in the streets, live music and all Peruvian traditional delicacies.

The festivities culminate on June 24 with a feast day, the historic day of Inti Raymi. During the day there are ceremonial events of the Church of Santo Domingo, Plaza Koricancha, believed to be built on the ancient temple of the Sun. From there rides a procession to Sacsayhuam n; known as the old fortress hilled up robes Cusco where traditional dresses Inca high priests. The priests and other historic royalty walk the streets with music, prayers and dancing until they reach the Sacsayhuam No. Once there are speeches given by several religious figures and real.

Cusco is usually beyond religious meals during this festival so if interested in travel to Cusco and Machu Picchu during this time of year, you should consider their hotels and services soon to be sure to get booking reservations. With the proper preplanning is truly a special moment and exciting to visit Peru. There are many tourist guides and vacation packages that will work with you to help make your festival of Inti Raymi visit truly unforgettable.

Music Summer Festival toilets? This is why you need a portable urinal!

You're a rock goddess. You love your music and enjoy it even more when it is live. Your friends are all booked to go to Glastonbury or electric picnic or even burning man. ... but

Physically shrink from facing a summer music festival because of fear of your infamous toilet facilities. The horror stories you've heard of a myth or reality?

All of us, regardless of gender, must answer the call of nature and none candidly say that Festival loos is the most pleasant locations. It makes sense to stay out of the possible during a 3 day music festival.

Here are some of the various solutions Festival toilet, you may experience.

-Portaloos
Portaloos is the most common toilet Festival. And are a good solution, especially if treated with respect by the hundreds of people who have shared each one before you. Portaloos and so is formatted your privacy is protected. This is a big plus for the goddess Rock Festival.

Also very clear that Portaloos helps to keep them relatively clean. Of course, depends on your previous user to do so and to leave the seat bottom. Once your portaloo with limited by four walls that can be very claustrophobic. There is also the problem of smell.

Combine this with Sun, plastic and are willing to complete as soon as possible. In addition, you can try holding your breath the old trick. Hold your breath before entering your next inhalation and is out again. Should adjustment and quick for this one to work.

Of course not have night lights to must carry a torch. Normally we are some distance away from your scene.

Queues toilet is always long in festivals and even more for portaloos.

One final disadvantage associated with external authority Idiot. While in the portaloo may you can find your world starting to move. You may think it is an earthquake. But it is actually an external Idiot (EI). They have received sufficient quantities of cider, I think it is Jet Li also think it is hilarious to use their newly acquired skill for overturning a portaloo. Normally, security guards know more of this risk and to stop before doing any damage to EI. But sometimes they do not and would not be a beautiful experience for anyone at the time.

-Slurry pits
They have bad reputation, but although you may find the odd lessons are often preferable to more portaloos. This is because there are faster because they are used. These are exposed in the open air and the smell is less of an issue. They are also normally lit.

These basic almost military utility. But this can be good. You can forget privacy do not lock the doors and even if they did still sticks in your head over the walls. Are emptied on a daily basis and if you can time your moves with the departure of the lorry emptying will find this time is clearer to use this type of installation.

Water aid-xeplynoyme
Apparently introduced a Festival Glastonbury these ' continental '-holes in the ground by footsteps either side.

It is the most hygienic solution and water buckets and brushes for cleaning quickly for the next user. There is not so light a torch when you use them after dark visits.

-Urinals
Many now provide urinals Festival for female use! Urinary products such as Uriwell or the SheWee females now love standing. Use urinals means enjoying a social experience and is certainly more efficient and hygienic solution for the ' Number 1 '.

-Amen
Night brings a new dimension to the experience of the Festival toilets. During the day you probably have a beer or two. Now you're tired and happy to your sleeping bag. You are relaxed and about to sleep. And nature calls. Ahhh! It is a long and dark ride with loos.

Imagine if you had your portable urinal, irrespective of their sex in your startup within easy reach. It is easy to use. It has a lid so you don't need to worry about leaks or smell. You have solved a big problem. In fact during the day avoid all queues toilet quickly reviewing your scene. Perfect.

A summer music festival can be one of the most enjoyable experiences of your life. I hear and see great musicians and be surrounded by familiar people. Do not miss this experience because the Festival toilets.

Apart from the Pack a portable urinal, irrespective of their sex in our last tip is to bring health wipes or spray with you. It will be very glad you did. Enjoy yourself!