One of the first discussions held on this website was the topic of the possibility of a defined European Culture.

(See culture forums). Whether or not there is such a thing, it is certainly true that Europe has exported global cultural phenomena over the centuries. Mardi Gras.

The Shrove Tuesday ritual marking the start of Lent, is now celebrated with greater vigour in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and in New Orleans, USA than it is anywhere in Europe.

The drinking of wine fermented from the fruit of the vine, first cultivated in the fertile valley of Mesopotamia but reaching its apotheosis in Western Europe is an example of a prime cultural product whose reach and popularity is now global.

Now Europe itself plays host to the defined cultural traditions from peoples and places far beyond its shores. Does it reflect on cultural stability and European self-confidence that this diverse continent can amalgamate and incorporate multi-culturalism, world music, non Judaeo-Christian traditions and indeed celebrate them with such panache and style?

Perhaps it is just that we have the necessary infrastructure, communication technology, transport links and an eager consumer base with leisure time to spare who can facilitate and participate in some of the most interesting festivals and cultural events which are essential parts of the European calendar.Here is a selection of some of the non-traditionally European cultural festivals that take place every year.

UNITED KINGDOM-Notting Hill Carnival Sunday 27 August and Monday 28 August 2006, annual The Notting Hill Carnival has been taking place in London, on the last weekend in August, every year since 1964. This great festival began initially from the energies of Black immigrants from the Caribbean, particularly from Trinidad, where the Carnival tradition is very strong.

The local community dreamed of creating a festival to bring together the people of Notting Hill, after the extreme race riots of the late 1950s, many of whom were facing racism, lack of working opportunities, and poor housing conditions. Carnival helped to transform the whole area; Notting Hill is now one of the most expensive and certainly most fashionable areas in the world.

Five disciplines go to make up the carnival: Mas' (masquerade), Steelband, Calypso (political, social and satirical commentary, set to music), Soca (the traditional music of Carnival, a fusion of Soul and Calypso) and Static Sound Systems. Children's Day at Carnival takes place on the Bank Holiday Sunday. Festival of Lights, London, October 200 Diwali, Festival of Lights, London, October 2006, annual.

Diwali has significance for Hindus, Sikhs and Jains and is celebrated by many of London's South Asian communities. It is traditionally a five-day festival. This year on Sunday 15 October 2006 celebrations will culminate on Trafalgar Square, which will be fantastically decorated with thousands of candles and huge statue of Ganesha, the elephant-headed God.

Indian food, dance and music abounds as people celebrate the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Look out for events all over London, especially in Ealing, Southall, Harrow, Neasden (home of Britain's largest Hindu Temple) and Wembley.

Leicester Caribbean Carnival - cancelled for 2006, but usually held every August Second only to the Notting Hill Carnival as a celebration of Caribbean or West-Indian culture - the Leicester Carnival has now become a multi-cultural event portraying the cultural diversities represented by Leicester's multi-cultural populace. This is evident by the participation in and attendance of the Carnival.

GERMANY-The Africa Festival, Wurzburg, 25th - 28th May 2006, annual The African Festival in the Bavarian town of Wurzburg is celebrating its 18th continuous year and has become Europe's largest festival of African music and culture. In 2005, more the 120,000 people came to witness the cultural wealth of the African continent and to participate in this celebration of peaceful, lively togetherness. Top names and international stars of African music headline amongst dance workshops, food, products and other performance.

Viva AfroBrasil, Stuttgart, 14th and 15th July, 2006, annual The Viva AfroBrasil Festival brings samba beats and all things Brazilian to Stuttgart's Schloßplatz in a non-stop programme of music, dance and celebration. Top salsa, reggae, Brazilian hip-hop, funk and progressive samba liven up huge crowds from the open-air stage. It is the biggest festival of Brazilian music in Europe and this year brought over 100 artists from Brazil to perform and interact with over 10,000 visitors from Germany and beyond.

FRANCE-The Country Music Festival, Mirande, 12 - 16th July 2006, annual The charming Pyrenean town of Mirande embraces all things "country" for this event - big bikes, hot dogs and country music. Alongside a music programme of international stars there are a meeting of motorbike enthusiasts, hot-air balloons, huge American cars and more than 200 stalls.

Southern Belles will be in demand for the election of Miss and Mister Country, and expect hoedowns aplenty in the Concours Européen de Danse Western. The music continues until 1am every night and requires the stamina expected of all would be cowboys and girls.

The 2006 programme includes Jodi Lyn Hawkshaw and Black Canyon, Jeff Hughes and Chaparral, Jesse Dayton and Brennen Leigh. Over 160,000 people of all ages are in attendance in this tiny town, rubbing shoulders in an atmosphere of conviviality and celebration, and a degree of incongruity!

Musique Métisses, Angoulême, 24th - 28th May 2006, annual 2006 saw the celebration of the 31st annual Musique Métisses festival at Angoulême in South West France. Luminaries this year included Amadou & Mariam and Salif Keita from Mali, Cesaria Evora from Cap Verde, and Jamaican Reggae star Max Romeo. Musique Métisses literally means mixed-race music, and this festival is a leading light in the exposition of world music traditions from Francophone and other international regions.

PAN-EUROPEAN-Womad, Spain, Sicily, UK, Canary Islands, 2006, throughout the year Womad, World of Music and Dance has been running since 1982 and brings together and celebrates music, arts and dance from countries and cultures from all over the planet.

The weekend long festivals are characterised by family-friendly, participatory and diverse happenings, often featuring mash-ups of different groups of musicians on the same stage or mixing up the audience with the performers. Workshops and crafts as well as food and drink are in abundance as well as many events for children.

The UK event this year takes place, as usual, at Rivermead, Reading, about 30 miles west of London on 28th - 30th July 2006. The line up includes acts from Finland, Congo, Poland, Mauritania, Mexico, South Africa and India and is a great place to mingle amongst a truly international, multi-cultural crowd.