Bunkagame — August 30, 2026

Question 1

Founded in 1978 by Robert Redford, this influential independent film festival has been held annually in Park City, Utah for decades and generates roughly 80 million US dollars a year for the local economy. Starting in 2027, it will move its home to Boulder, Colorado. Which festival is it?

Accepted Answer

Sundance is the largest independent film festival in the United States and has launched films like 'Reservoir Dogs', 'Little Miss Sunshine' and 'CODA'. Its planned move to Boulder in 2027 marks the end of nearly 40 years of association with Park City.

Question 2

This 2011 Lady Gaga single, an LGBTQ empowerment anthem, debuted at number one in over a dozen countries including Austria, Germany, Japan, Israel, Mexico, Switzerland, Finland, Poland, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Which song connects Switzerland and Israel?

Accepted Answer

'Born This Way' was released in February 2011 as the lead single from the album of the same name. It sold over a million copies in its first week in the United States, and became one of the fastest-selling singles in iTunes history.

Question 3

In Syria, this almond-and-sugar sweet paste (whose name derives from the Arabic word for almond) is a traditional confection. In Austria, it forms the core of the famous Mozartkugeln, balls of it dipped in dark chocolate. Which sweet connects the two countries?

Accepted Answer

Marzipan is popular across Europe and the Middle East, and Lübeck in northern Germany claims the title of the world capital of marzipan. It is often molded into fruits or figurines and dyed with edible colors.

Question 4

The first written record of this food in Korea appears in the medieval Goryeosa history, attributed to a naturalized Khitan during the reign of King Myeongjong of Goryeo. In Central Asia, versions of this food (manti) are popular throughout Kyrgyzstan and neighboring countries. Which food connects them?

Accepted Answer

Dumplings appear in cultures around the world under many names, from Chinese jiaozi and Korean mandu to Central Asian manti, Italian ravioli and Polish pierogi. The Korean word 'mandu' shares its origin with 'manti'.

Question 5

In 1990, after 14 years of planning and negotiations led by McDonald's of Canada president George Cohon, the first franchise of this American fast-food giant opened in Moscow. Its Russian subsidiary was later closed following the invasion of Ukraine. Which chain's Russian operation connects the two countries?

Accepted Answer

The opening of the first McDonald's in Pushkin Square in January 1990 drew queues of tens of thousands. In 2022 the Russian arm was sold and rebranded as 'Vkusno i tochka' (Tasty and that's it) after McDonald's exited in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Question 6

Iceland's rugged terrain makes it ideal for skiing, fishing, snowboarding, ice climbing and rock climbing, though this related peak-scaling sport (along with hiking) is preferred by most Icelanders. Yemen's dramatic peaks offer similar opportunities. Which sport connects them?

Accepted Answer

Mountain climbing developed as a formal sport in the Alps in the 19th century. Iceland's tallest peak is Hvannadalshnúkur at 2,110 m, while Yemen's Jabal an-Nabi Shu'ayb reaches 3,666 m.

Question 7

Edmonton hosted the Tim Hortons Brier in March 2013, and Moose Jaw hosted the Canada Cup of Curling from November 28 to December 2, 2012. Curlers Jeff Stoughton, Glenn Howard, Stefanie Lawton and Kaitlyn Lawes were among the winners. Which Canadian sporting season connects the two cities?

Accepted Answer

The 2012 to 2013 curling season culminated in a run-up to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. Both Jennifer Jones (women) and Brad Jacobs (men) would go on to win gold for Canada at those games.

Question 8

China is the second largest global producer of this dessert wine style, with major output in Gansu and Liaoning and smaller portions in Yunnan and Xinjiang. Northern Michigan wineries follow German rules requiring the grapes for this wine to be picked while still frozen on the vine. Which wine style connects them?

Accepted Answer

Ice wine (Eiswein in German) originated in Franconia, Germany, in the late 1700s. Canada, particularly the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario, is now the world's largest producer.

Question 9

The Norfolk Admirals, an AHL team based in the Virginia Beach area, won this trophy in 2012. The Grand Rapids Griffins won the same trophy in 2012 to 2013 and again in 2016 to 2017. Which annual North American professional hockey championship trophy connects them?

Accepted Answer

The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the American Hockey League playoff champion. Named after former NHL president Frank Calder, it is one of the oldest professional hockey trophies still in use.

Question 10

A 1965 exhibition of this ancient Egyptian pharaoh's treasures traveled to the Tokyo National Museum, and a new touring show titled 'Pharaoh's Treasures' launched in Los Angeles in 2019 before moving on to Paris. The boy king's intact tomb was discovered in 1922. Whose treasures were on the road?

Accepted Answer

Tutankhamun (c. 1341–1323 BCE) was an 18th Dynasty pharaoh of Egypt whose intact tomb was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. His golden death mask became one of the most recognizable images from the ancient world, and touring exhibitions of his treasures have drawn record crowds from Tokyo to Los Angeles.