On the 17th of December every year, all of Rome would participate in a week long party they called Saturnalia. This quiz celebrates parties and festivals through the ages.

1. The Romans really learnt their party skills from the Greeks who around 300 BC would throw huge festivals celebrating their god of wine and fertility. Name the god in whose honour these feasts were held.

2. In which work of fiction did bond salesman Nick Carraway attend a series of extravagant parties thrown in the fictional New York suburb of West Egg?

3. Which international festival would you be attending if you were at the polo grounds of the Empire club in Indio, California?

4. In 1996, which head of state celebrated his 50th birthday with a military match, a polo match with Prince Charles, a dinner for 3000 guests flown in from around the world and Michael Jackson delivering a private performance. If it’s any help, just his title would do.

5. In 1966, which author celebrated the success of his latest book by throwing an epic party in which all guests had to come in black and white and wear a mask. Attendees included Henry Fonda, Greta Garbo, Frank Sinatra, Arthur Miller and Gloria Steinem.

6. Cinema. Who played an unknown Indian actor named Hrundi Bakshi who was supposed to be fired but mistakenly ended up being invited to a huge Hollywood do?

7. In 1991, a construction worker married a former actress who was given away by Michael Jackson in a multi-million celebration at Neverland Ranch. Identify the bride.

8. In the early ’50s, which billion-dollar American brand popularised the concept of ‘parties’ where housewives would host their friends to see and buy the product?

9. In Malaysia it is called “berbuka puasa”, in Indonesia it is called “buka puasa” and in Brunei the locals call it “sungkai”. By what name is this celebration known in India and Pakistan, and used extensively in political diplomacy?

10. Fiction. Which book starts with someone hosting his entire village for his 111th birthday party, and disappearing before the end?

Answers

1. Dionysius, the Romans soon followed suit and started the Bacchanalia dedicated to Bacchus

2. The Great Gatsby, by F Scott Fitzgerald

3. The Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival, annually one of the largest annual musical events. Pearl Jam were the first to perform here

4. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, at that point still the richest man in the world

5. Truman Capote, for In Cold Blood. It was dubbed as ‘The Party Of The Century’

6. Peter Sellers in The Party. One of its most famous scenes was copied in the Amitabh starrer Namak Halal

7. Elizabeth Taylor, who married Larry Fortensky whom she met in a rehab facility. The marriage lasted five years

8. Tupperware. Tupperware still has over 1.9 million direct sales agents around the world

9. Iftar, the evening meal to break the fast during Ramzan

10. Fellowship of the Rings, by J R R Tolkien. It was Bilbo Baggins’ birthday

Joy Bhattacharjyais a quizmaster and Project Director, FIFA U-17 World Cup

Follow Joy on Twitter @joybhattacharj

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