Metworst Race in Boxmeer

The Metworst Race is a centuries-old horse race (since 1740) in Boxmeer, North Brabant, held annually on Carnival Monday on the Vortums Veld (between Sambeek and Vortum-Mullem). 

Only unmarried men from Boxmeer, members of the "De Metworst" Association, are allowed to participate with thoroughbreds or half-breds over a course of approximately 800 meters in a three-round elimination race. 

The winner is crowned "King of the Metworst" and receives prizes such as metworst, bread, beer, and half a pig's head. 

In 2025, 16-year-old Bas Janssen won on his half-bred horse. 

Thousands of spectators attend the spectacle, which begins with the sound of horns at 4:00 AM.

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Inner Mongolia

Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region in northern China, bordering Mongolia and Russia. 

It covers a vast area of ​​grasslands, deserts, and mountains, and has a rich nomadic culture, strongly influenced by Mongolian traditions. 

The capital is Hohhot. 

The region is economically important due to livestock farming, mining (primarily coal and rare earths), and wind energy. 

The population consists mainly of Han Chinese, with a significant Mongolian minority. 

Cultural tensions over language and identity sometimes arise, particularly regarding the preservation of the Mongolian language and traditions.

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Hedge Weaving

Hedge weaving is a traditional craft technique in which living hedges, usually made of shrubs such as hawthorn, hazel, or willow, are woven in a specific way to create a dense, natural barrier. 

The branches are cut at an angle and bent so that they intertwine and form a strong structure. 

This method has been used for centuries, especially in Europe, to contain livestock, mark boundaries, or enhance landscapes. 

The result is a sustainable, living hedge that is ecologically valuable and promotes biodiversity.

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Ñuble

Ñuble was a province in Chile, located in the Biobío region, until it became a separate region, the Región de Ñuble, in 2018. 

The province was known for its agriculture, particularly wine production, grain and fruit cultivation, and a rich cultural tradition influenced by indigenous Mapuche and Spanish colonial elements. 

The capital was Chillán, a city with historical significance due to events such as the 1939 earthquake. Ñuble had a temperate climate and a diverse landscape, from the Andes to the coastal plain. 

As a region, Ñuble retains these characteristics, with a focus on economic development and agriculture.

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Harvest Festival in Berg aan de Maas

The Harvest Festival in Berg aan de Maas (Limburg) is a traditional cultural event that began in 1946, inspired by similar festivals in Sevenum. 

Originally an expression of thanksgiving for the harvest, with a Eucharist and simple processions, it grew into a large village festival with contributions from all neighborhoods. 

In 1959, the Harvest Festival Foundation was established to organize the festival. 

The highlight is the Cultural Procession (or parade), with 1,000-2,000 participants, 700 volunteers, and street theater. 

Groups from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and beyond perform music, dance, and theater. 

The festival attracts thousands of visitors from the Netherlands and abroad. 

Since 2018, it has been called the Augst Cultural Festival, with a fresher, more contemporary concept, but retains the harvest festival tradition. 

It takes place at the end of August (e.g., August 26-28 in recent editions) and is free to attend.

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Siamese

The Siamese is an elegant, slender cat breed with a striking appearance: large ears, almond-shaped blue eyes, and a short, glossy coat with dark points (ears, face, paws, and tail). 

They are vocal, sociable, and affectionate, but also demanding and intelligent. 

Siamese require a lot of attention and enjoy being involved with their surroundings. 

They are playful, energetic, and get along well with people, though sometimes less so with other pets. Their life expectancy is 12-20 years.

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Holy Blood Procession in Boxtel

The Holy Blood Procession in Boxtel is an annual Catholic procession on Trinity Sunday (the first Sunday after Pentecost), honoring the miracle of the Holy Blood from 1380: Father Eligius van den Aker accidentally knocked over the chalice, after which the spilled sacramental wine on the altar cloth turned into the blood of Christ. 

The miracle was confirmed by Cardinal Pileus de Prata, made Boxtel a place of pilgrimage, and led to a Holy Blood Chapel in St. Peter's Church. 

During the Reformation, the cloths ended up in Hoogstraten (Belgium), but the corporal returned in 1922. The procession, with 150 extras in historical costumes, biblical scenes, and more than 500 volunteers, passes through the town center and displays the relic; thousands of spectators watch. 

Designed in 1949 by Lucas van Hoek, recognized as intangible heritage.

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Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle is a medieval castle (main tower dating from 1446) in the village of Blarney, approximately 8 km northwest of Cork, Ireland. 

It is one of Ireland's most popular attractions, with extensive gardens, rock formations, and a poison garden. 

Known for the Blarney Stone, a stone at the top of the tower that, when kissed (hanging over the edge), grants the gift of eloquence – a legend from the 16th century. 

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The Tamboer Hoogeveen

The Tamboer is a prominent theatre and conference centre in Hoogeveen (Drenthe, Netherlands), opened in 1967 by Queen Juliana and designed by architect Onno Greiner. 

It serves as the cultural heart of the region, attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually for performances (theatre, cabaret, musicals, concerts), festivals, parties, and corporate events such as conferences. 

The building was renovated in 1997 and reopened by Prince Willem-Alexander, with a Tamboer Hall seating 750. 

Easily accessible by train (a 10-minute walk from the station) and car. 

The Hoogeveen Cultural Centre Foundation has recently faced financial difficulties, threatening its future.

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British Columbia

British Columbia (BC) is a province in western Canada, bordering the Pacific Ocean, the United States (Alaska and states such as Washington), and other Canadian provinces such as Alberta. 

With an area of ​​944,735 km² and approximately 5.6 million inhabitants (2023), it is the third-largest province in terms of population. 

The capital is Victoria, while Vancouver is the largest city and economic hub. 

BC is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, with mountains (including the Rocky Mountains), rainforests, fjords, and coastlines. 

It has a diverse economy driven by forestry, mining, tourism, technology, and film production. 

The province is home to many Indigenous peoples, whose culture and history are prominently represented. The climate varies from mild and wet on the coast to dry and continental inland. 

BC is also a hotspot for outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and water sports. 

Politically, it's a progressive region, with a focus on sustainability and indigenous rights.

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