What's On Worldwide

Barbados

The National Independence Festival of Culture and Arts runs throughout November, and encourages Barbadians of all ages to take to the stage. Those with a talent for writing, music, dance, singing or drama, come forward for this huge competition, which closes with a gala presentation in which the successful entrants are featured.

Japan

3 November

During Hakon's Samurai procession, 400 costumed locals take to the streets in a re-enactment of a feudal lord's procession. Weather permitting, Mount Fuji can be seen looming in the background to complement this dramatic parade.

Australia

4 November

It's fab-frock and gorgeous-hat time in the state of Victoria as the Melbourne Cup comes round again. The prestigious horse racing event is televised worldwide, and involves some 20 horses, 80,000 spectators, and substantially more tinnies of amber nectar.

Devon, England

5 November

The Rolling of the Tar Barrels in Ottery St Mary relegates most Guy Fawkes festivities to soggy-sparkler shame. This little nook of the West Country wakes at 5.30am when "cannons" (hand-held pieces of pipe containing gunpowder) are fired. The task of the day is to build a 30ft bonfire for the evening's carnival, while a selection of the locals - chosen by a committee for their fire safety skills - involve themselves in "The Rolling of the Tar Barrels" - in other words, sprinting around the town with flaming, tar- coated barrels on their backs.

Sweden

7-16 November

Featuring over 150 films from 33 countries, the eighth Stockholm International Film Festival (above) starts on Friday. Opening this year's programme is Nick Cassavetes' She's So Lovely, starring the petulant Sean Penn and the prolific John Travolta. World film premieres are featured and celebrities in attendance will include 88-year-old Hollywood legend Elia Kazan presenting a retrospective of his work.