AUSTRIA
Ball season, through March 10, Vienna. The ball season has started in the Austrian capital. Special schools in Vienna are already offering various crash courses in genuine ballroom dancing. The Flower Ball, the Doctors' Ball, the Hunters' Ball, the Ball of Sexual Minorities, and university balls have long been a tradition of winter Vienna. February will see such renowned balls as the Strauss Ball at City Hall (February 11) and the Coffee Ball at the Hofburg (February 17). But the most prestigious is considered the Vienna Opera Ball, which will take place this year on February 23. Stars of theater, politicians, and businesspeople from around the world gather at the Opera Ball to dance waltz, foxtrot, rumba, and swing. Opera celebrities also perform here. //www.wiener-staatsoper.at, www.hofburg.com
Accordionists' Festival, February 25 - March 26, Vienna. Among the bustling carnival events in Europe, this festival is, of course, not so prominent, but the fact that stars from Argentina, France, the USA, and Canada will gather in one city to perform such diverse music on the accordion is in itself worthy of attention. Many "international" ensembles will perform at the festival, for example, the Austrian-French duo Otto Lechner & Arnaud Methivier and the group Dobrek Bistro, which includes Polish, Russian, Brazilian, and Austrian musicians. Concerts will take place at the Porgy and Bess Jazz and Music Club and Planet Music. //www.akkordeonfestival.at
BELGIUM
Carnivals, February 26-28, Aalst, Binche. Carnival traditions in Belgium have ancient roots: the first written mention of the carnival in Binche dates back to the end of the 14th century. It is this ancient city that becomes the main carnival center, attracting so many tourists every year that their number is ten times the local population. On the first day of the carnival - "Fat Sunday" - processions of masqueraders take place in Aalst and Binche, the most piquant among them being burly men dressed in women's clothing and women with beards and mustaches, exchanging brutal jokes with the "mademoiselles".
Monday is devoted mainly to folk concerts, while the main day of the carnival is, of course, "Fat Tuesday". It is then that the Gilles appear on the streets - identical hunchbacked, bespectacled figures in bright costumes, who have become the symbol of Belgian carnivals. By the way, not just anyone can become a Gille - this honorable carnival duty is passed down only by inheritance. Their march in hats with huge feathers in Binche and the dance with brooms in Aalst are the main carnival events. You must catch the oranges that the Gilles throw into the crowd - it is believed that this will certainly bring good luck in the new year. //www.carnavaldebinche.be
22nd International Festival of Love Films, February 10-17, Mons. 25th International Animation Film Festival, February 24 - March 5, Brussels. February in Belgium is famous not only for its carnivals, but also for film festivals. The Festival of Love Films in Mons, as always, will be timed to Valentine's Day. Watching not only premiere love stories, but also old films included in the unofficial program, should be a real gift for all lovers.
The Brussels Animation Film Festival will this year be visited by the famous Japanese director Isao Takahata, and viewers will be able to see a retrospective of his cartoons from the 1960s-90s. In addition, the festival will host a retrospective screening of works by Yuri Norstein and a showing of Alexander Ptushko's film "New Gulliver", made in 1935 and astonishing audiences with unprecedented special effects for that time. //www.mons.be
GREAT BRITAIN
Jorvik Viking Festival, February 16-26, York. The festival program is packed to the limit: everything starts at 10 a.m. and ends only at midnight. And so every day. Daily life and customs - please: visit the Viking settlements, whose capital was located in York for fully 50 years, on February 18 and 26. On February 16, there will be a great battle, and on the 22nd, strength competitions and duels. The main Viking rituals (a funeral and a wedding ceremony) can be seen on February 18, 25, and 26. A theatrical performance dedicated to Viking "crimes and punishments" will be shown on February 20 and 21, and on the 18th and 22nd, the Valkyries and a dragon will attract attention. Almost every day, Viking fairs will operate at the festival, where you can buy as souvenirs a two-handed sword, a horned helmet, a model of an ancient boat, or jewelry. //www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk
Animation Film Festival, February 13-25, Exeter. This festival will be held in Exeter for the 17th time. In addition to a competition program of almost a hundred new films, the organizers offer recognized animation classics created by the best directors from around the world. The festival will also include master classes, discussions, and film reviews, seminars, and exhibitions, the most interesting of which will probably be the exhibition of artist Alan Lee, the famous illustrator of Tolkien's works. //www.pub.exeter.gov.uk
GERMANY
Cologne Carnival, February 23 - March 1, Cologne. Revived in 1823 by local romantic intellectuals, the Cologne Carnival has become the most spectacular and popular among the Rhine carnivals. It will open on "Women's Thursday", and from that day the "fifth season" will reign in the city, governed by a jester government - the Prince, the Peasant, and the Beautiful Maiden.
The most important day of the carnival is "Rose Monday" (February 27), whose name is associated not with roses, but with madness (rasender Montag). On this "crazy" day, a seven-kilometer procession will pass through the city, and from carnival floats they will throw candies, chocolates, and bouquets of flowers into the crowd. The most resourceful arrive early, take especially candy-rich spots, open and turn their umbrellas upside down - that way you catch more. On the night of "Ash Wednesday" in Cologne, puppet "Nubbels" will be burned, symbolizing cold and disease. This will mean that carnival time is over. According to tradition, on "Ash Wednesday", the first day of Lent, everyone will eat fish dishes.
By the way, since the 1990s, Cologne has also hosted an alternative, "intellectual" carnival, differing from the official one in themes and level of jokes. As they like to say in Cologne, "every jester jokes in his own way." //www.koelnerkarneval.de
Carnivals, February 26-28, Dusseldorf, Mainz, Berlin, Frankfurt am Main and other cities. All German carnivals have one thing in common: they are incredibly fun. The main characters these days are jesters, who long before carnival days gather in "guilds" and "guards", rehearse songs, write jokes, jealously hiding them from rival competitors, and think through costumes. In the first days of the carnival, they will have to choose the King of Fools - the leader. Carnival mini-balls and children's parties will take place in German cities throughout February, but the main events of the carnivals in Mainz and Dusseldorf still unfold according to the "Cologne scenario". The culmination here, as in Cologne, will be the famous Rosenmontagszug - a grand procession when almost tons of candies and souvenirs are thrown into the crowd of onlookers. //www.duesseldorf.de, www.info-mainz.de, www.karnevals-zug-berlin.de, www.karnevals-zug-berlin.de
GREECE
Carnival, February 26 - March 5, Patras. 2006 is a special year for the city, as it was in this year that Patras became the European Capital of Culture. A week before the start of Lent, the "main all-Greek carnival" will take place here. In Patras you can see processions of mummers, acrobats and clowns, dance, listen to serenades, jazz and rock - in short, whirl in the carnival action and feel a little crazy. We recommend you be sure to try the special carnival wine, and also buy whistles and foam to completely dissolve into the carnival crowd. //www.carnivalpatras.gr, www.cultureguide.gr
SPAIN
Carnivals, February 23-28, Cadiz, Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga. Don Carnal - the ancient symbol of the Spanish carnival, a symbol of carnal pleasures and great love of life - will reign supreme in Spanish cities on the eve of Lent. On "Fat Tuesday" the doll of Don Carnal will be burned with a pompous fireworks display, to be reborn in a year. The scenarios of carnival events have much in common in Spanish cities: cross-dressing and dressing up as animals, masquerade, a train of carnival floats, dances, songs, gluttony. The main events of the Madrid carnival are the masquerade ball, the final procession and the famous burial of the sardine on "Ash Wednesday".
In Barcelona during the carnival, a tortilla-baking contest is especially popular, and in Cadiz - costume contests, a carnival cavalcade, gastronomic festivals, and the famous performances of choral groups on Sunday and Monday - the "choir carousel". //www.carnavaldecadiz.com, www.sitges.com, www.costadelsol.sopde.es, www.munimadrid.es
Carnival in the Canary Islands, February 6 - March 5. The Canary Islands carnival is famous for its Spanish scope combined with Latin flavor. Afro-Cuban music and traditional Spanish zarzuela are heard here, and the dances are quite eclectic. The most famous carnival fun in the Canary Islands is a battle with confetti and streamers. Previously, the "projectiles" in such a battle were eggs filled with talcum powder, but now this tradition has been preserved only in Santa Cruz de la Palma - there the carnival takes place in clouds of flying talc.
The first weeks of February will be absorbed by preparations for the carnival: on all islands there will be musical contests "murgas" for children and adults, contests of carnival groups "comparsas", as well as masquerade costume contests. The carnival itself will open magnificently and spectacularly with the election of the Queen (February 24), its culmination will be a grand procession on February 28, and on the first day of March the burial of the sardine will take place. European carnivals usually end there, but not in the Canaries. Until March 5, musical competitions will be held here: a competition of music groups, rhythm and harmony, a zarzuela festival. It will all end with grand fireworks and a ball. //www.carnavaltenerife.com, www.grancanaria.com, www.puertodelacruz.org, www.cabtfe.es, www.carnavaltenerife.com
ITALY
Carnival on February 12, 19, 26-28 and March 5, Viareggio. 133 years - such is the solid experience of the former Maslenitsa festivities, and now the Carnival in Viareggio, which is no less famous than the Venetian one, but more democratic and fun. Its main attraction is platforms with giant papier-mâché dolls, which are made long before the parades in a huge hangar on the seashore. The center of the carnival action will be the famous boulevards along the coast. Here you can also watch folklore performances, sports competitions (including football for the Carnival Cup) and a masquerade ball. //www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com
Venice Carnival, February 17-28, Venice. The Venice Carnival "grew" out of the comedy of masks, and it is the mask that becomes not only the main symbol of the carnival, but also the organizing and guiding force of universal merriment, when all hierarchies and social conventions are abolished. In fact, at this carnival there have long been participants in masks, and there are spectators without any masks who gawk at them. Thus, the carnival in Venice increasingly resembles a theatrical performance. In general, if you want to truly participate in carnival events, you will have to buy a mask and invent a masquerade costume - only this way can you get into most carnival events.
February 18 is ball day, on the 19th the famous Flight of the Angel will take place on St. Mark's Square and the gondoliers' ball, on the 23rd - the historical ball, on the 24th - a treasure hunt and the "Casanova Games" ball, on the 25th - a costumed gondoliers' parade, on the 26th - the "Pinocchio" children's carnival, on the 28th - fireworks and the Grand Masquerade Ball. This year's carnival theme is "Dragon and Lion", so costumes should be chosen in Chinese style. //www.carnevale.venezia.it, www.carnivalofvenice.com
Feast of Saint Valentine, February 6 - March 1, Terni. Valentine's Day in Terni is somewhat different from everywhere else. This is explained by the fact that the relics of Saint Valentine are kept here. The city remembers its bishop, who suffered a martyr's death in the 3rd century, and for a whole month (that is exactly how long this holiday lasts here) tries to affirm in people's minds the idea that life in love is life in God. The celebration program includes prayers and special masses, thematic opera performances and music concerts, charity events, sports competitions, music contests and children's parties. Even the carnival season in Terni is quieter than in other cities, and fits well into the context of the celebrations in honor of Saint Valentine. //www.comune.terni.it
CYPRUS
Carnival, February 23 - March 5, Paphos, Lemesos, Larnaca and other cities. Carnival days in Cypriot cities follow approximately the same scenario: everything opens with a solemn masquerade procession and the entry of the Carnival King into the city. After that begin parades and processions, balls, music concerts, performances by circus performers and comedians, comic sports competitions - in short, as everywhere on such days. The only advantage of Cyprus is that carnival madness here ends a little later than in other countries, so if you wish, you can stretch out the pleasure. //www.visitcyprus.org.cy
NETHERLANDS
Carnival, February 23-28, Maastricht, Amsterdam, Den Bosch and other cities. Noisy and bright carnivals will be held in almost all large and small cities of the Netherlands. Everywhere there are music competitions (mainly brass bands), processions of mummers, theatrical performances, costume contests, children's costume parties.
In almost all cities, on the first day of the carnival, a Prince and Princess are solemnly elected, to whom power passes for the entire carnival time. It is believed that the most fun carnival takes place in Maastricht, although residents of other cities, of course, disagree with this - this is more of a tourist opinion. The carnival will begin with a march of brass bands through the city, which will immediately set residents and guests in the mood for active participation in processions and masquerade costume contests. Then everyone will eagerly await the mysterious "night of old women", and the holiday will end with the overthrow of its main symbol - the huge doll of the housewife Mauswief. On "Ash Wednesday", instead of the burial of the sardine, in Holland it is customary to eat herring and prepare for Lent. //www.holland.com, www.amsterdam.info, www.vvvmaastricht.nl
PORTUGAL
Carnivals, February 25-28, Lisbon, Funchal, Loulé and other cities. Portuguese carnivals, in their uninhibitedness, unbridledness and fiery spirit, are more similar to Brazilian ones. And no wonder: after all, the Portuguese carnival was transferred to Brazil, a former Portuguese colony, in the early 18th century. It is believed that the most interesting carnival with well-preserved traditions takes place on the island of Madeira in Funchal. The main parade begins here on Saturday evening and ends only on Tuesday. It amazes the imagination, first of all, with performances by samba groups, sometimes consisting of a thousand participants. In the intervals between these performances, you can divert yourself with folklore festivals and nightlife in bars and restaurants. //www.portugal.org, www.madeiratourism.org, www.cm-lisboa.pt.
CROATIA
Carnival, until February 26, Rijeka. The carnival in Rijeka has been held for more than 100 years and is interesting in that it combines pan-European traditions with local, Slavic ones. The carnival will open with the ritual of electing the Queen, who will reign until the last day of the holiday, and the handing over of the keys to the city to the Master of the Carnival. Among the important events, it is worth noting the bell ringers' competition, performances by comedy theaters, the parody masquerade rally Pariz - Bakar (February 11), sports competitions (in particular, a comic marathon in carnival costumes), street concerts, a children's parade (February 18), a masquerade ball on February 25 and an international parade on the closing day of the carnival. //www.ri-karneval.com.hr
FRANCE
Carnival, February 11-28, Nice. In Nice, as in other European cities, winter is seen off with laughter and to the sound of music. Music concerts, theatrical parades, performances by wandering actors and magicians, parades with huge papier-mâché dolls will delight residents and guests of the French Riviera for two whole weeks. The official program of the carnival looks approximately like this: February 11, 15, 18, 21 and 25 - flower parades; February 11, 14 and 18 - carnivals of light; February 12, 19, 22 and 26 - carnival processions and February 27 - a big carnival parade and fireworks. Welcome to the mad world, for this year's carnival theme is "King of Follies". //www.nicecarnaval.com
Lemon Festival, February 10-26, Menton. In Menton, the lemon capital of France, an extraordinarily spectacular and appetizing festival is held every year on the eve of the richest lemon harvest, as lemons are grown there all year round. Dazzlingly beautiful citrus fruits will be the main characters of this celebration. Parades featuring carts decorated with structures made of lemons, tastings of dishes and drinks made from citrus fruits, performances by folk music groups, exhibitions with lemon installations, and evening fireworks make this holiday truly sunny. //www.feteducitron.com
Orchid Festival, February 18-26, Tarascon. Mimosa Festival, February 11-19, Saint-Raphael. In February, many flower festivals take place in France, which is of course connected with the anticipation of the strengthening spring. The Violet Festival in Toulouse brings together specialists in growing these flowers from all over Europe. The Orchid Festival in Tarascon attracts a huge number of tourists, as these flowers have long gained a reputation as the most exquisite, delicate, and expensive flower. And in Saint-Raphael, the celebrations of farewell to winter will coincide with the Mimosa Festival - flowers that have become a symbol of spring. The festival will open with a floral parade: numerous processions of carts decorated with mimosas will ride through the city streets, and then the usual carnival fun will whirl the city. //www.saint-raphael.com, www.tarascon.org
CZECH REPUBLIC
Ball season, until April 30, Prague. More than a hundred balls for people of all ages and musical preferences will be held in the Municipal House and other buildings in Prague. The most 'classic' is considered the Prague 'Opera Ball', and the most fun is the 'Police Ball'. Tickets for the balls cost from €30 to €100, which is quite affordable. All that remains is to choose an outfit and learn the basic figures of ballroom dancing so as not to be just an observer of an ancient pastime. //www.pis.eunet.cz, www.obecnidum.cz
SWITZERLAND
Carnivals, February 23-28, Lucerne, Basel and other cities. In Switzerland, the tradition of holding carnivals was formed in the 14th-15th centuries, so it has its own features. Its beginning is very characteristic: early in the morning the city must wake up to the beating of drums and the calls of pipes, then the electricity is turned off for a few minutes, and the darkness full of secrets and vague forebodings is illuminated by the glow of thousands of lanterns. The carnival begins with this 'luminous' procession.
Only members of carnival groups (Cliquen) can be participants in the procession. But spectators are not bored either: after watching the procession, you can go to pubs and restaurants to taste special carnival treats and mulled wine. The festive program of the next day includes a carnival 'train', a funny skirmish with serpentine and confetti, and a traditional competition of 'singers' for the most off-key singing. After that - a children's carnival, an exhibition of lanterns on the central square of the city, a brass band concert, masquerade balls, costumed processions and commedia dell'arte performances. The carnival ends with the extinguishing of lanterns, which symbolizes the end of riotous fun and the beginning of Lent. //www.baseltourismus.ch, www.luzern.org