The State of Israel is celebrating 75 years of independence and in honor of the occasion, here are some other ways countries in the world celebrate their Independence Day in anon-traditional way.
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The complete guide to your next Independence Day vacation, which you must visit after Israel,:
Sri Lanka, an island nation located southeast of India in the Indian Ocean, is celebrating its 75th independence this year (like Israel) on February 4th. "Similar to Israel," says Siman Ovadia, "in Sri Lanka, they also celebrate with flag-raising ceremonies, dances, parades, and performances."
The main celebrations can be found in Sri Lanka's capital city, Colombo, at the Navam Perahera Festival, which features traditional Sri Lankan art performances.
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Sri Lankans march during the country's 75th Independence Day celebrations in Colombo
(Photo: AP)
India celebrates its Independence Day a year before Israel on August 15, 1947.
The celebrations of India's Independence Day symbolize a new beginning for a new nation. On this day, residents of the city across the country decorate their buildings with flags of the subcontinent, and the streets are painted in the colors of the flag: green, orange, and white.
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Women wave national flags as they take part in India's Independence Day celebrations in Ahmedabad, India
(Photo: Reuters)
A relatively new tradition that has gained momentum in recent years," says Siman Ovadia, "is flying kites in the colors of the national flag: orange, green, and white. The kite symbolizes for the residents the exit of India to freedom from British rule."
Norwegians celebrate their national day in a different way than other Scandinavian countries, which makes it an interesting event for travelers visiting the area, says a tour guide. "It does not include soldiers or military parades...".
The most significant day in the country is Constitution Day – May 17, which is much more significant than Norway's actual Independence Day – June 7." .
On May 17, residents from all over Norway go out to watch children, dressed in the national clothes of each and every district, waving their national flags. The main procession takes place on Oslo's main street, the country's capital, with members of the Norwegian royal family waving back to the children from the palace balcony.
In every town, city, town and village, all the residents go out in a procession: from a small baby in a stroller to old people in wheelchairs.
If you thought Norway was special, you probably haven't arrived at Indonesia's independence celebrations yet, and that means it's time.
Indonesians celebrate their Independence Day in August in a unique and unusual way. Beyond the parades, parties and fireworks, Indonesians tend to set sea turtles free.
In addition, every year a unique competition called Panjat Pinang is held, in which flags and prizes ranging from food to TVs and bicycles, are placed on the ends of oiled poles, and participants must climb them in order to win the prizes.
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A man holding Indonesian flag with his mouth, reaches for the prizes on top of a greased pole during "Panjat Pinang" competition in celebrating country's 77th Independence Day, in Jakarta, Indonesia
(Photo: Reuters)
France celebrates its Independence Day, or as they call it: Bastille Day, on July 14. Bastille Day, the French Independence Day, is named after the fall of the Bastille – the symbol of the French Revolution.
The main event on the French feast day is a military parade and a fire fighters parade on the Champs-Élysées near the Arc de Triomphe. The parade is accompanied by a festive flyover and ends at Place de la Concorde.
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Aircraft of the Pateouille de France fly during the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris
(Photo: Reuters)
Throughout the day, the festivities continue in the streets of the city with fairs, parades and feasts, and even a huge and traditional picnic considered to be one of the largest in the world.
Another event that starts at 9 p.m. and lasts until the wee hours of the night is the firefighters' balls, which has become a tradition and include dancing until dawn, alcohol and fine culinary.
Siman Ovadia, CEO and owner of Bishvil Hazahav