(VOVWORLD) - As fireworks from the Lunar New Year celebrations begin to fade, in every corner of China people are buzzing with excitement over one of the biggest festivals of the year: Yuanxiao Jie, the Lantern Festival. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month each year, millions of people pour into the streets in China to admire enchanting lanterns of all shapes and sizes. Today VOV’s Cultural Rendezvous will describe for you this memorable festival.

(VOVWORLD) - Who doesn’t love pancakes? They are warm and soft, with a buttery taste that melts right into your mouth. Pancakes are a common breakfast dish enjoyed in many countries of the world. In the UK, however, this seemingly simple dish has its own day, accompanied by several celebrations. In today’s “VOV Cultural Rendezvous”, let's explore this unique British tradition: Shrove Tuesday – colloquially known as Pancake Day which is celebrated on February 13 this year.

(VOVWORLD) - Fika is a Swedish coffee break ritual. It is an important component of socializing and maintaining a state of relaxation during the day and between jobs in Sweden, and you do not need to book it in your calendar. We’ll visit the Swedish Embassy in Hanoi to learn more about this practice.

(VOVWORLD) - It is no surprise that Brazilians love to dance, and they are exceptionally good at it. This is evidenced by the fact that Brazil is home to many popular dances like Samba or Lambada. While these traditional dances have made their names across the globe, some of the later genres, Brazilian Zouk for example, are also gaining more and more followers. Starting as a Lambada-influenced dance in the early 90s, today one can easily find a Brazilian Zouk studio in any major city in the world. Get ready to move your body with VOV’s “Cultural Rendezvous” today, as we learn about this fascinating dance with none other than the Brazilian Zouk world champion – Alisson Sandi.

(VOVWORLD) - In China, there is a saying that "If you want to see China over the past 100 years, go to Shanghai. If you want to see China over the past 1000 years, go to Beijing. But if you want to see China over the past 5000 years, go to Xi'an.” Once designated as the capital of China, this ancient city in north-central China boasts several cultural heritages. Qinqiang opera is one of them. With vibrant costumes, bold makeup and unique vocals and movements, Qinqiang opera is truly a feast for the senses. Close your eyes, and let VOV’s Cultural Rendezvous take you to this colorful world of this unique Chinese opera genre.

(VOVWORLD) - In the US, hip-hop has taken over youth culture. Young kids, from the time they learn to speak, are influenced by hip-hop culture whether they listen to music or not. In this week’s “Cultural Rendezvous” we’ll hear from American hip-hop artists Adrienne Mack-Davis and DJ Julian Heughan, who last year brought hip-hop music to the Bridgefest 2023 Music and Community Engagement Festival in Hue city.

(VOVWORLD) - Azerbaijan has had, to date, 19 Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity recognized by UNESCO. One of themp is the art of ashiq, which was recognized in 2009. This week’s Cultural Rendezvous explores ashiq and the reasons it made UNESCO’s list.

(VOVWORLD) - Visiting the Tibetan area of China, it’s easy to see mani stones and mani stone piles. Mani stones are stone plates or rocks that are carved with texts from Buddhism. This is one of the cultural symbols of Tibetans and Tibetan Buddhism.

(VOVWORLD) - Ayurveda is India’s original healthcare tradition. It’s not simply a system of medicine, but a manifestation of our symbiotic relationship with nature. It is a well-documented system of healthcare which gives curing disease and promoting good health equal consideration.

(VOVWORLD) - The Peruvian Ambassador to Vietnam says that every Peruvian person can cook well and cuisine is a source of their national pride, not just for its incomparable flavors and aromas, but because it summarizes much of Peru’s history. What are the unique features of Peruvian cuisine? How are Peruvian culture, history, and traditions reflected on its cuisine? This week’s “Cultural Rendezvous” will give you the answer.