Austria
Festival of Baroque music, 13-16 May, Salzburg. The city of Mozart and magnificent Baroque architecture holds an annual Baroque music festival that fits harmoniously into the spiritual space of Salzburg. This year the festival will open with a performance of Handel's oratorio “Acis and Galatea”, and in the following days of the festival, music by Bach and Telemann will be heard. Pianist Evgeny Korolev will perform Bach's Goldberg Variations at the festival. This May celebration will be a harbinger of the main festival that will take place in Austria in summer. //www.salzburgfestival.com
Belgium
Procession on Ascension Day, 5 May, Bruges. The holiday begins with a mass in the city's main cathedral, and then a beautiful procession begins to move through the streets. The relic kept in Bruges (a piece of wool with the Holy Blood of Christ, sealed in a crystal vessel) is carried out of the cathedral into the street, because the procession of believers follows it. However, the event is no less interesting for tourists observing, since a mystery procession will take place a little later. A dramatization of biblical and historical subjects is a striking feature of holidays in Bruges. //www.holyblood.com
Jazz marathon, 20-22 May, Brussels. Jazz-magical weekend days are provided for the Belgian capital at the end of May. Classical and modern jazz and blues will be heard almost continuously in open and closed venues of the city. An international jazz team of about 400 musicians will give 125 concerts on the streets and squares of Brussels, in clubs, bars and theaters. The detailed festival program will be published in early May on the official website of the jazz marathon. //www.brusselsjazzmarathon.be
Festival of the Golden Carriage and the battle with the dragon, 22 May, Mons. The city of Mons is not afraid of dragons, because every year residents celebrate the victory over one of them named Lumecon, who, according to legend, broke into the city many centuries ago, but was defeated by St. George. Every year about 200,000 people protect the city from a second invasion by taking part in the procession of the Golden Carriage of St. George, which describes a sacred circle around the city. Then the battle with the eight-meter dragon is reenacted, which St. George wins every year. www.mons.be
United Kingdom
May fair and puppet theater festival, 8 May, London. The birthday of Mr. Punch (May 1662) is sacred to the English. The most beloved puppet character, the soul and symbol of England, who for 350 years has been entertaining the English in grotesque puppet shows, Mr. Punch will gather residents and guests of London on 8 May for this celebration. A church service at St Paul's Cathedral, followed by cheerful processions of brass bands, performances by folk groups, clowns and circus performers will accompany the puppet theater performances with variations on the theme “Punch and Judy”. //www.alternativearts.co.uk
Balloon festival, 8-9 May; Folk festival, 13-15 May, Oxford. May in Oxford will be stormy and full of bright events. First, the city will be engulfed by the Balloon Festival. To the delight of children and adults alike, huge colorful balloons of various shapes will be launched into the sky in the morning and evening (the festival's record is 36 per hour). And on Saturday evening there will be a show of “burning” balloons with fireworks and light special effects. After a week's rest, they'll head to the folk festival, which will be held in Oxford for the second time. This year's festival will feature Irish band Danu, composer and guitarist Juan Martin, violinist Frankie Gavin and others. //www.oxfordfolkfestival.com, www.s-h-systems.co.uk
Germany
Carnival of Cultures, 13-16 May, Berlin. The colorful and lavish four-day Carnival of Cultures only confirms Berlin's reputation as an “open city”. The free coexistence and interpenetration of different cultures is the true spirit of the Berlin carnival. Participants from 70 countries of the world will take part in the parade and masquerade, and exotic performances by artists, dancers and musicians are perfectly combined with exotic dishes and strong drinks, because culture is a broad concept. //www.karneval-berlin.de
International Dixieland Festival, 7-16 May, Dresden. International Festival of Modern Jazz, 13-16 May, Moers. Collective improvisation, “hot” New Orleans music, or Dixieland, will sound on the banks of the Elbe, on an old steamship, on streets and squares, in cafes, concert halls and even in the zoo - this is Dresden hosting a jazz festival. The rich program of the Dixieland festival in Dresden includes children's and family concerts, fireworks, and mini-parades. This year the festival is expecting The Jackson Singers, Blue Wonder Jazzband, Cynthia Sayer & Hot Jazz Group, Mart Rodger's Manchester Jazz, Blue Wonder Jazzband and other groups. //www.dixieland.de
And the small town of Moers (not far from Düsseldorf) hosts an ambitious modern jazz festival, where for four days and four nights, including the famous “African dance night”, both traditional and experimental avant-garde jazz will be played. The festival will feature Colin Towns Mask Orchestra, KTU, Trio Joubran, Masahiko Satoh & SAIFA, La Cite Invisible, Femi Kuti & The Positive Force and other talented musicians. //www.jazzmexx.com, www.moers-festival.com
"Lights on the Rhine", May, Bonn and other cities. May is the month of fireworks in Germany. International fireworks competitions will be held in Hanover on May 14-18, in Düsseldorf on May 28 there will be a "Japanese" pyrotechnic show, the "Lights on the Rhine" festival will take place in many German cities, including Bonn on May 7. The most beautiful spectacle will open to the eyes of residents and guests of Bonn: the waters of the Rhine will be illuminated by hundreds of lights. Fireworks over the river is a tradition that allows you to see a "revived" river, which shimmers in different colors (and some romantics will be able to see golden snakes there, which, as you know, should be treated with caution) and is illuminated by lights. You can watch what is happening from the embankment or even from a boat, rocking on the Rhine waves. //www.firework.rhine-river.com, www.hannover.de
Greece
Flower Parade, May 29, Rhodes. The transition from spring to summer on the island of Rhodes (in the city of the same name) has long been celebrated with a flower festival. On the last Saturday of May, streets and houses are decorated with flowers, as are the festive national and masquerade costumes of citizens who participate in the fragrantly beautiful flower parade. Local wine and national dishes only enhance the feeling of real summer arriving. //www.rhodes.gr
Denmark
Carnival, May 13-15; Beer Festival, May 20-22, Copenhagen. It will be noisy and tasty in the Danish capital in May. At Whitsun, the city will be swept up in a traditional carnival involving more than 100,000 people. Brazilian rhythms, salsa, reggae, blues, performances by an African dance theater, amusement rides and funny competitions for children - on Sunday evening all this carnival riot will end with a grand costumed night parade. Catch your breath - and off to the beer festival, which will be held at Valby Hallen. There you can taste about 800 classic and exotic varieties of Danish beer. Of course, Danes believe their beer is the best. //www.karneval.dk, www.ale.dk
Spain
Feast of Saint Isidro, May 13-21, Madrid; May 15, Malaga. The residents of Madrid love holidays, but the most beloved is the feast of the city's patron saint, Saint Isidro. According to legend, the saint was born in the then small town of Magerit (the old name of Madrid), was deeply devout, kind and humble. The acquisition of a miraculous gift - finding sources of drinking water - made him a saint in the eyes of people during his lifetime. In the 16th century, a chapel was built on the spot where Isidro discovered a source of drinking water, and residents of Madrid began to come to drink or fill a vessel with water blessed by Isidro himself. According to a long-standing tradition, during the days of the fiesta every Madrilenian must visit the holy spring in order to continue celebrating, and the fiesta lasts a full 10 days. Music is heard throughout the city: flamenco, zarzuela, chotis, Latin rhythms. During these days there is a mini jazz festival and other musical and theatrical performances, and wonderful ceramic and book fairs are held. You must try bitter eggplants, donuts and cocido, and then go to a bullfight at the Plaza Monumental de Las Ventas, because the best matadors of Spain will show their skill there. //www.munimadrid.es
International Jazz Festival, May 5-7; Festival of Three Cultures, May 10-28, Murcia. The small Spanish city of Murcia will experience several festivals in May. The jazz festival, which is held during the day on Plaza Romea and in the evening at the Teatro Romea, usually features classic jazz, fusion, and avant-garde experimental jazz. This year's participants are expected to include the Domingo Sanchez Quartet, the Joachim Kuhn Trio, and Alvin Queen & Organics.
A little later, Murcia will host the Festival of Three Cultures (Islamic, Jewish, and Christian), which celebrates the medieval flourishing of interreligious harmony. The festival's program includes exhibitions and theatrical performances, Arab dances, flamenco, and concerts of folk and medieval music. Famous artists are usually invited to the festival and gladly participate in concerts dedicated to the interpenetration of different cultures. //www.teatroromea.org, www.fiestasdemurcia.com
Italy
Beach Festival, May 11-22, Palermo. "It's time to remember summer beach holidays, but exclusively active recreation," say the organizers of the Beach Festival in Sicily. Participants and guests of the festival, which will be held on the luxurious Mondello beach (near Palermo), can expect a colorful and exciting spectacle: windsurfing and kite-surfing competitions, a sailing regatta, and beach volleyball competitions. The musical theme is jazz. //www.albaria.com
Vogalonga Boat Race, May 15, Venice. The boat race, timed to coincide with Ascension Day, is the largest in Venice and already has a solid 30-year history. About a hundred rowing clubs from Italy and other European countries present their teams at the competition. For participants, the result in these competitions is certainly important, and for spectators it is simply a very beautiful and exciting spectacle: from St. Mark's Basin the boats will sail to the island of Burano and back. The favorite event is team competitions on dragon boats. //www.vogalonga.it
Palio of Ferrara, May 21, Ferrara. For the residents of Ferrara, the Palio is one of the most important events of the year. Indeed, the history of these horse races dates back to 1279! The Palio is a banner with the image of a saint, the first prize for the contestants. By the way, in the Middle Ages, the second place received a piglet, and the third place a rooster. The traditions of the Palio are depicted in the 15th-century frescoes of the famous Palazzo Schifanoia in the Salone dei Mesi: there one can see horses, donkeys, women and men competing in a race. Now the Palio takes place on Piazza Ariostea, where spectators and guests are seated around the perimeter of a space resembling a modern hippodrome, in the center of which, at the foot of a triumphal column, is the main grandstand for the judges. The festival begins with a colorful costume parade, whose participants are dressed in medieval costumes, followed by competitions in four stages. The funniest is the third Palio race - on donkeys, and participants are not allowed to touch the ground with their feet, even if the donkey suddenly decides to lie down. //www.corteducale.it, www.paliodiferrara.it
Cyprus
Flower Festival, May 29, Paphos. The Flower Festival in Paphos is dedicated to the celebration of spring turning into summer, the awakening and revival of nature and man. It is believed that this festival essentially returns modern man to the ancient festivities in honor of the god Dionysus. The festival opens with a flower parade (poppies, gladioli, chamomiles, daisies) on Poseidon Avenue, and then moves to the area of the old port. The Cypriots themselves call this festival "a celebration of the soul, plants and flowers". //www.cyprustourism.org
Netherlands
National Windmill Day, May 14. What wish do the Dutch wake up with on this day? Only one: let there be wind! Because more than 600 windmills will be open to visitors. Crowds gather at the mills, dressed up and renovated for the holiday, wanting to go inside, watch the millers skillfully plying their ancient craft, and then taste hot pies made from flour ground by the wind. //www.molens.nl
France
Cannes International Film Festival, May 11-22, Cannes. You can gawk at the stars (they are on the beaches, on yachts, indeed almost everywhere) and watch films in Cannes during the days of the world-famous film festival. The chairman of the jury this year will be Emir Kusturica. The festival's competition program includes 53 films from 28 countries. //www.festival-cannes.fr
Medieval Festival, May 21-22, Sedan. It is one of the best medieval festivals in Europe, creating a complete illusion of immersion in the past. Perhaps this is because the main events of the festival take place around the ancient fortress of Sedan (by the way, it is the largest in Europe, its area is 35 thousand square meters). Real medieval military camps will be set up under the fortress walls - and the battle will certainly take place. Knightly tournaments, horse competitions, and craft fairs will be quite spectacular. The festival will end with a real medieval feast. //www.medieval-sedan.com
Czech Republic
International Music Festival "Prague Spring", May 12 - June 4, Prague. "Prague Spring" will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year; the festival will traditionally open with a performance of the cycle of symphonic poems "My Homeland" by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. "Prague Spring" is one of the most prestigious festivals - a review of outstanding world performers, symphony and chamber orchestras. More than 70 concerts will take place in Prague as part of the festival, and the detailed program can be found on the official website. //www.festival.cz
Gypsy Festival Khamoro, May 23-28, Prague. The world-famous Czech festival Khamoro was first held in 1999. And year after year, more and more attention was paid to Gypsy culture at it. Audiences are always attracted by energetic rhythms, fiery dances and lyrically soulful Gypsy romances. Concerts, drama theater and dance, photo exhibitions and even cinema at this festival will be exclusively Gypsy. The festival also has a political significance - to improve relations between the Czech and Gypsy populations of the country, to interest Czechs in Gypsy culture. //www.khamoro.cz
Switzerland
Wine Cellar Day, May 21, Geneva. On this lovely holiday, a kind of open house day, hundreds of wine cellars in Geneva and its surroundings invite visitors to wine tastings. The main thing to take care of on this day is not to forget the correct tasting order: from lighter wines to fuller-bodied ones, from young to aged, from dry to sweet. //www.opage.ch