Saint John's Straw Consecration in Leenderstrijp

The Saint John's Straw Consecration is a centuries-old tradition in Leenderstrijp (near Heeze-Leende), held annually on June 24th at the Saint John's Chapel. 

Local residents make their own bundles of straw (Saint John's Straws), decorated with flowers and ribbons, which are consecrated by the bishop or priest during a Holy Mass. 

The bunches are then hung above the door to protect the house from lightning, fire, livestock diseases, and other disasters. 

The celebration is organized by the St. John the Baptist Guild and is recognized as intangible cultural heritage. 

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Adger

Agder is Norway's southernmost county (fylke), created on January 1, 2020, by merging the former counties of Aust-Agder and Vest-Agder. 

It covers an area of ​​approximately 16,500 km² with a population of around 320,000 and borders the Skagerrak to the south. 

The main cities are Kristiansand (the largest) and Arendal. 

The region offers diverse attractions such as white sandy beaches, fjords, forests, hiking trails, and historical sites, ideal for tourists arriving by ferry.

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Anansi Storytelling Tradition

The Anansi storytelling tradition is an oral tradition from West Africa, particularly from the Asante culture in Ghana, which was brought to the Caribbean, Suriname, and the Antilles through slavery. 

Anansi, the cunning spider, is an archetypal trickster figure who embodies human weaknesses and cleverness: he is greedy, arrogant, and resourceful, often overcoming stronger opponents through cunning and wit. 

The stories, often told to children as moral lessons, emphasize themes of wisdom, survival, and anti-colonial resistance and live on in festivals and literature.

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Taranaki

Taranaki is a region in the west of New Zealand's North Island, named after the iconic stratovolcano Taranaki Maunga (2,518 m high, dormant since 1775). 

It covers 7,257 km² of fertile volcanic soils, dense forests, a narrow coastal plain, and bays on the Tasman Sea, ideal for surfing and hiking in Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki (formerly Egmont National Park). 

The population is approximately 130,300 (2025), with New Plymouth as its capital (population 60,200) and a strong Māori presence (iwi such as Te Āti Awa and Taranaki). 

The economy revolves around dairy production (the world's largest through Fonterra), natural gas and oil extraction (20% of New Zealand's energy), and manufacturing, with a gross domestic product of NZ$9.6 billion (2021). 

Points of interest include the mountain for hiking, historical sites like Parihaka (Māori resistance), and film sets like those in The Last Samurai.

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Horse Market Valkenburg (South Holland)

The Horse Market, also known as 'De Mart' (The Mart), is the oldest horse market in the Netherlands and takes place annually on the second Wednesday of September in Valkenburg, South Holland. 

The tradition dates back to the year 840 and will celebrate its 1078th edition in 2025. 

During the event, horses are traded, there is ring-riding, and entertainment for families.

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South Holland

South Holland is a province in the west of the Netherlands, on the North Sea coast and part of the Randstad. 

The capital is The Hague, the largest city is Rotterdam. 

With over 3.8 million inhabitants on 3,308 km² (of which 607 km² is water), it is the most densely populated province in the country, with a high degree of industrialization and diversity (27% of whom are immigrants). 

The economy revolves around the port of Rotterdam (Europe's largest), greenhouse horticulture in Westland, biotechnology in Leiden, and international law in The Hague. 

Known for cities, polders, the Green Heart region, and attractions such as Keukenhof Gardens, Madurodam, and museums like the Mauritshuis.

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Brabant sausage roll

The Brabant sausage roll is a traditional North Brabant snack: a small, oblong roll (approx. 15 cm) filled with seasoned ground meat, often open-ended in West Brabant. 

It dates back to the 19th century and is a popular appetizer.

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