Kosmos

The Christmas markets are over, carnival -season is not here yet. These winter celebrations will help to keep boredom at bay.

Dancing firebrands

At the Up Helly Aa celebrations in Lerwick, the Shetland Islands’ capital, a flaming torch parade is followed by a Viking ship being set alight, then drinking and dancing till dawn, which arrives very late up there on January 29.

uphellyyaa.org

Reindeer Revels

The 400-year-old Sami winter market in Jokkmokk, nothern Sweden (February 7 through 9) celebrates everything reindeer, including pelts, meat, racesand parades.

jokkmokksmarknad.se

Furry Fun

Originally a big fur traders’ market, the Fur Rendezvous, aka Rondy, is now Alaska’s biggest winter party. Held in Anchorage from February 22 through March 3, the event ends on a climax with the legendary Iditarod dogsled race.

furrondy.net

Pedro Estrellas and Filthy Luker need little more than ideas, fabric and air for the fantastical sculptures earning them international acclaim at clubs, corporate events and festivals, and as street art (here in Philadelphia, USA).

designinair.com

Millions of Hindus, mainly Tamils, celebrate the Thaipusam Festival in honor of the god Murugan and his victory over three evil demons at the tenth full moon in their calendar ( in 2019, it’s January 21). The colorful procession is also an amazing spectacle for tourists.

Art Collection Deutsche Börse is celebrating its 20th anniversary starting Jan. 31 with We love Photography, an exhibition curated by Martin parr, one of today’s top photographers.

deutscheboersephotographyfoundation.org

Ella Mai topped the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart in the U.S. in 2018 with the singles “Boo’d Up” and “Trip”, and even earned herself Triple Platinum with “Boo’d Up”. The young British singer will be wowing German audiences with her beautiful, rich voice at concerts in Cologne (January 16), Berlin and Hamburg.