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This podcast is designed to give English students extra practice by discussing events, history, culture and language.
Podcast Title: June Festivals Around the World – B1+ level
Welcome listeners. Today I thought we’d explore cultural festivals, traditions, and seasonal practices around the world that take place in June. I will highlight how different cultures welcome summer, celebrate heritage, or mark important historical events during this month.
One such event is Midsummer in Scandinavia. It happens around June 21st, during the summer solstice – the longest day of the year. In countries like Sweden, Norway, and Finland, people celebrate with music, dancing, and food. Many families go to the countryside. They make flower crowns and dance around a maypole. Traditional food includes herring, potatoes, and strawberries. People enjoy the light because the sun stays up very late – sometimes all night in the north!
LGBTQ+ Pride Month is celebrated in June in the United States.It honors the history and rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Many cities have Pride parades with music, dancing, and rainbow flags. People wear colorful clothes and celebrate love and freedom. Pride is also a time to support equal rights and talk about important issues. It is a celebration of being proud of who you are.
Also in the USA is a newer holiday called Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th. Juneteenth became a national holiday in 2021 and is a mix of the words “June” and “nineteenth.” This day remembers when the last enslaved people in Texas learned that they were free in the year 1865, after the Civil War. Today, people celebrate with music, food, parades, and community events. It is a time to learn about African American history and culture.
A traditional Chinese holiday that is usually in June is the Dragon Boat Festival. People remember a famous poet named Qu Yuan (Chtu Yu-an), who lived over 2,000 years ago. He loved his country and died to protect it. To honor him, people race dragon boats on rivers. The boats are long and colorful, with drums and teams working together. Families also eat zongzi (zaangzi)—rice with meat or sweet filling, wrapped in leaves.
The Fête (Fet) de la Musique (Moozik) is a music festival in France. It happens every year on June 21st, the first day of summer. The festival started in 1982 and is now celebrated in many other countries, as well. On this day, people all over the country play music in the streets, parks, and public places. Both professional and amateur musicians take part. You can hear many kinds of music—rock, jazz, classical, and others. Concerts are free, and everyone is welcome.
Another music festival that often takes place in June is the Glastonbury Festival, one of the most famous music festivals in the UK. It debuted in 1970 and is known for its fun, creative, and friendly atmosphere. It’s a big part of British summer culture. Thousands of people come to see live music and performances. Many big stars and bands play on different stages. There is also dance, theatre, and art. People often camp in tents and enjoy the festival for several days.
In South America, Inti Raymi is a traditional festival in Peru, celebrated on June 24th. It comes from the Inca culture and means “Festival of the Sun.” The Inca people believed the sun god gave them life. Today, people celebrate with music, dancing, and colorful costumes. Actors perform traditional rituals to honor the sun. Many tourists visit to see the big parades and ceremonies. It’s an important way for Peruvians to remember their history and keep their culture alive.
And of course we mustn’t forget summer food around the world: BBQs in many countries, and bush tucker in Australia. Bush tucker is traditional food from Aboriginal Australian culture. It’s food from the land. People eat things like kangaroo, emu, bush tomatoes, nuts, and even witchetty grubs, which are a type of insect. Aboriginal people have used bush tucker for thousands of years. They know how to find and prepare food in a dry, hot environment. Today, some Australian restaurants use bush tucker in modern dishes. It is a way to share and respect Aboriginal culture.
Now some questions for you. What did you understand?
What do people do with flowers at Midsummer Festival in Scadanavia?
They make crowns …. Maybe they are flower kings and queens.
What day did the last slaves in the United States learn that they were free men and women?
You got it if you said June 19th, 1865.
What is a common date that summer festivals take place on?
The longest day of the year, of course. The summer solstice.
Who do Peruvian people honor on Inti Raymi?
Well, it’s a summer holiday, so they honor the god of the sun.
I hope you enjoyed a bit of summer culture around the world. Have you experienced any of these events? If not, which one would you like to?