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Europe News

Christian communities across Europe take part in Epiphany traditions

Orthodox Christians participated in blessing of the waters ceremonies, while Catholics in the Vatican attended Mass in St. Peter's basilica.

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Orthodox faithful in Greece swim to retrieve the cross on Epiphany

A large crowd watched on as dozens of swimmers rushed to retrieve a wooden cross thrown by a priest into the water, in a ceremony marking Epiphany near the port of Piraeus outside Athens on Monday.

Lifestyle

Türkiye's cats are on the world's agenda: 'This closeness is fascinating'

Medical anthropologist Gideon Lasco stated that the earthquakes centred in Maraş and Hatay in 2023 also provided examples of the strong bond Turkish people have with cats.

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Religious leaders urge change to solve Cuba’s 2025 challenges

Santería practitioners in Cuba, the country's most practiced faith rooted in African traditions, warn of a troubled future unless changes are made, citing growing violence and economic crises.

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Voices from Central Asia

Meet the producer behind Central Asia's Coachella

In partnership with MDQ

In this episode of Voices From Central Asia, we meet Yerkebulan Kurishbayev, the producer behind OYU Fest, Kazakhstan's cultural phenomenon that brings together musicians, artists and audiences to celebrate the region's rich creative heritage.

Modern Nomads

Kazakhstan's Yurts: From tradition to modern design

In partnership with MDQ

In this episode of Modern Nomads, we travel to Kazakhstan's Almaty region to discover the rich history and innovative transformations of the yurt, a symbol of nomadic resilience and adaptability.

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Osaka shrine hosts annual laughter ritual

Hundreds gathered on Monday at Hiraoka Shrine in Osaka, Japan, to participate in a year-end Shinto ritual aimed at "laughing away" the bad memories of the past year.

Europe in Motion

War on Santa: Which European nations banned Christmas in the past?

Some religious and political ideologies opposed Christmas in European history, and festive traditions have proved divisive across the continent at times.

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Traditional Christmas carols from Romania

On Sunday, carolers from all over Romania gathered in the city of Galati for a traditional folk festival.

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In India, the Hornbill Festival keeps traditions alive

The 10-day Hornbill Festival is held in Kohima, the capital of the remote Indian state of Nagaland, on the border with Burma.

Crossing Cultures

The shared traditions of Zisha teapot making and crystal glass

A co-production with CGTN

Crossing Cultures heads to Yixing in eastern China to learn more about the ancient art of Zisha teapots, while in Europe the team visits Saint-Louis to discover the firm's famous crystal creations.

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Firefighters honour Virgin Mary with floral tribute in Rome

Continuing their tradition, firefighters in Rome marked the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December by placing two floral wreaths on the statue of the Virgin Mary.

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Warm autumn leaves Santa's Lapland village with less snow

In Lapland, Santa readies himself for the annual tradition of delivering presents around the globe. However, this year’s unusually warm autumn has left less snow in his village near Rovaniemi, northern Finland, impacting the experience for visitors.

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A choir inside a giant Christmas tree in the USA

In Michigan, the Mona Shores Singing Christmas Tree is 20 metres tall, with 25,000 LED lights, 1,580 linear metres of greenery and 15 levels on which 180 choir members stand. The 40-year-old tree can hold up to 220 singers.

Lifestyle

Sinterklaas, poems and Zwarte Piet: How the Dutch celebrate Christmas

On the evening of 5 December, Dutch friends and families get together to celebrate their unique take on the festive season.

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Buddha’s tooth relic arrives in Bangkok to honour King’s birthday

A relic of Buddha's tooth was brought to Bangkok on Wednesday in a procession with 2,000 participants. The sacred relic, flown from Lingguang Temple in Beijing, is being displayed to celebrate King Maha Vajiralongkorn's birthday and will remain on display for 73 days.

Culture news

Krampus parades spark violence and debate

In Austria and Germany, Krampus parades bring chaos and controversy. While the tradition is meant to scare children into behaving, recent events have left many injured — raising questions about safety and the darker side of festive customs.

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Devilish creatures take over streets of Hollabrunn in Austria

Thousands gathered in the Austrian town of Hollabrunn on Saturday to watch the traditional Krampus procession featuring devilish creatures.

Modern Nomads

Discovering Abai Qunanbaiuly: The legacy of Kazakhstan's poet, philosopher and musician

In partnership with MDQ

In this episode of Modern Nomads, we explore the enduring legacy of Abai Qunanbaiuly, Kazakhstan's greatest poet, philosopher and cultural figure. From literature to opera, his influence continues to shape Kazakhstan's modern identity.

Focus

How Niigata balances heritage and innovation for a sustainable future

In partnership with The Government of Japan

In this episode of Focus, we explore Niigata's groundbreaking innovations, from turning rice into sustainable plastics to creating digital villages that preserve rural traditions, offering a fresh perspective on Japan's sustainable and technology-driven progress.