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A festival is an event,
usually staged by a local community, which centers on some
unique aspect of that community.
Among many religions, a feast or festival is a set of
celebrations in honour of God or gods. A feast and a festival
are historically interchangeable. However, the term "feast" has
also entered common secular parlance as a synonym for any large
or elaborate meal. When used as in the meaning of a festival,
most often refers to a religious festival rather than a film or
art festival.
Festivals, of many types,
serve to meet specific social needs and duties, as well as to
provide entertainment. These times of celebration offer a sense
of belonging for religious, social, or geographical groups.
Modern festivals that focus on cultural or ethnic topics seek to
inform members of their traditions. |