AUSTRIA
Summer Music Festival, through August 31, Salzburg. This annual music and theatre festival in Salzburg has been held since 1920, and its founders were composer Richard Strauss, director Max Reinhardt, and poet Hugo von Hofmannsthal. Over the course of a month, the Salzburg Festival Complex will host about 170 concerts, theatre and opera performances featuring world-class stars. This year's theme is unusual: "The Dark Side of the Mind". The festival's new artistic director, Jürgen Flimm, has promised that audiences will see operas never before performed at the Summer Festival: Haydn's Armida, Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, Berlioz's Benvenuto Cellini, Carl Maria von Weber's Der Freischütz, and the world premiere of the opera "Requiem for Metamorphoses" directed by Jan Fabre. Also on offer are 10 dramatic productions, including Luc Percival's staging of "Molière. Eternal Passion". //www.salzburgfestival.at
Old Town Festival, August 11-12, Linz. This year the Old Town Festival in Linz celebrates its 25th anniversary, so the celebrations and fun will be truly jubilee-like. The festival opens on the main square, where a keg of local beer is ceremoniously tapped, followed by a costume parade. The next day is music day, mainly dedicated to brass band competitions and a choir festival. Over two days, on eight music stages, you can listen to live concerts, visit the craftsmen's street and watch glassblowers, woodcarvers, basket makers and embroiderers at work, and in the local forge make a horseshoe for luck or a jubilee festival coin. You can also sample Tyrolean cuisine and visit the beer garden and wine village. A special program is designed for children. //www.altstadtfest-lienz.at
BELGIUM
Caribbean Festival, August 10-11, Hoogstraten. This year about 50,000 people will come to the 25th "Antillean fiesta". That's what the Caribbean music festival is called, held in a small town near the Belgian-Dutch border. Musicians from Trinidad, Colombia, Cuba, Aruba, Guadeloupe, USA, Suriname, Puerto Rico, fiery salsa, ska, reggae – and four festival stages turn into dance floors. Parties start at 7 pm and end at 5 am. A two-day ticket bought in advance costs €55. //www.antilliaansefeesten.be
Beach festivals, August 9-12, Zeebrugge; August 9-15, Ostend. August in Belgium is traditionally a month of beach festivals. The Paulusfeesten festival will be held for the 35th time in the seaside resort of Ostend, famous for its golden sands and dunes. Musical stylistic diversity is the main feature of this event. Here you can listen to classical, folk and ethnic music, jazz, rock and elite pop. A special theatrical program is designed for children.
The Pole Pole festival, which in Swahili means the banal "take it easy", offers various musical entertainment on four stages: jazz in the café zone, Latin American music on the dance floor, musical shows on the main stage and DJ parties in the club zone. During the festival, a fair will operate at this seaside resort, which is famous for its excellent fish market. //www.oostende.net, //www.polepole.be
Summer Festival (Eu'ritmix), August 10-26, Brussels. 140 live concerts and 250,000 spectators – that was last year's result for one of the most popular European August festivals. The Summer Festival in Brussels (formerly known as Eu'ritmix) this year is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, which laid the foundation for the formation of the European Union. European music will be the main theme of the festival – it will feature musicians such as Vaya Con Dios and Saule from Belgium, Les Wampas from France, Level 42 from the UK, Peter Von Poehl from Sweden, Mala Sangre from Spain, Kila from Ireland, and many, many others. But the organizers firmly state that the Summer Festival is not only musical. Expect theatre and circus performances, street theatre, film screenings, and special children's shows. The organizers also promise minimal prices for concerts, and most events will be free altogether. //www.infofestival.be
UNITED KINGDOM
Medieval festival "Robin Hood", through August 5, Mansfield. This theatrical festival has been held for over 20 years in the famous Sherwood Forest in honor of the world's noblest outlaw. About 70,000 spectators become observers and even participants in the legendary duel of the free archers: Robin Hood against the cunning Sheriff of Nottingham. Participants will also be entertained by jesters, jugglers and minstrels. A medieval atmosphere is created by archery competitions and knightly tournaments. At the crafts fair, you can not only buy handmade items but also learn ancient crafts. //www.robinhood.co.uk
London festivals. London life in August will be full of various festivals and carnivals. It all starts with the largest Latin American carnival in Europe, Carnaval del Pueblo (August 5), which takes place in Burgess Park. Spectators can expect a costumed music parade, drummer competitions and fiery salsa.
Residents and visitors of London can get acquainted with South Asian art and culture at the annual London Mela festival (August 12), which will be held in Gunnersbury Park. There will be traditional crafts, folk dances and singing, and national competitions. At the end – a carnival procession.
Coin Street Festival (August 19) is rightfully considered a multicultural event. This year, audiences will get acquainted with the art of the Netherlands, the crafts of Denmark, and take a walk through a real Turkish bazaar with all the ensuing musical and dance consequences.
You can get a comprehensive introduction to the culture and art of India this year at the Trafalgar Square Festival (until August 19). On Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, those interested can immerse themselves in the language of Indian dance, learn about the history and art of India.
Finally, on the last weekend of August, the largest European Caribbean carnival will take place in Notting Hill (August 26-27). The carnival procession will be led by musicians (originally it was a 'jazz truck'), followed by a procession of dancers – the festival's main attraction, then a procession of the king, queen, two stars and a numerous retinue, which anyone can join. The traditional program of the event will certainly include drumming bands and spicy Caribbean food. //www.london.gov.uk //www.carnavaldelpueblo.co.uk //www.coinstreetfestival.org //www.thecarnival.tv
International Beatles Week, August 22-28, Liverpool. It is clear why this international festival is held in Liverpool every year, and it is clear that it attracts crowds of Beatles fans – both musicians and ordinary listeners. The festive program includes not only numerous concerts dedicated to the memory of the legendary four, but also special excursions, exhibitions, an auction (August 25) and very popular 'flea markets'. This year, the Beatles Week will feature Sir Frankie Crisp, Nube 9, The Prellies. On Sunday there will be a big concert with almost 50 musical groups. The program is expected to be truly jubilee, as Liverpool turns 800 years old, and the meeting of John and Paul is 50 years old. //www.cavern-liverpool.co.uk
HUNGARY
Sziget Music Festival, August 8-15, Budapest. 400,000 open-air music lovers will attend the 15th anniversary Sziget Festival this year. Almost all modern music genres will be presented on 16 stages, with a stellar lineup of performers expected. On the Main Stage this year will perform Chemical Brothers, Gogol Bordello, Pink, The Killers, Sinead O'Connor; on the World Music stage - Cesaria Evora, Eddie Palmieri; on the jazz stage - Mike Stern Band, Le Biskuit. A separate stage with a capacity of 5,000 people is prepared for hard rock fans. //www.sziget.hu
Folklore Festival, August 17-20, Budapest. The best way to get acquainted with the ancient culture and customs of Hungary – music, dances, crafts, cuisine – is at the folk art festival, which will take place in the ancient Buda Castle. A costumed parade of masters (August 20), performances by folklore groups, a traditional crafts fair, and tasting of national cuisine dishes will allow you to better know this interesting country. //www.nesz.hu
GERMANY
Summer fair Dommarkt, until August 26, Hamburg. You can visit the festive Hamburg Dom, a kind of 'city within a city', three times a year. This festival with a 500-year history attracts about 3 million people each time. Of course, the fair is primarily about trade, but the Dom is famous for its ancient attractions, horse rides, traditional carousels, musical concerts, and circus performances. At the summer festival, besides the medieval fortress and 'witch's den', a Wild West corner with cowboy attractions opens up. Adults will be interested in beer tents, and children in tents with chocolate and other sweets. Every Friday you can see fireworks at the fair. //www.hamburger-dom.de
Lake Festival, until August 12, Hanover. The brightest summer event in Hanover is the traditional Maschsee Lake Festival. Numerous concerts and shows will take place on open and indoor stages, with fun children's programs designed for weekends. At the festival you can taste local delicacies and ride on the lake: special cruises are organized. August 5 is jazz day, August 2 is a costumed parade with brass bands, August 9 is tango day. The festival will open and close, of course, with a grand fireworks display. Special theme this year: 'Culture and Art of Ireland'. //www.hannover.de
DENMARK
European Medieval Festival, August 24-25, Horsens. This festival was first held in Horsens in 1995 and very soon acquired international status: now it involves representatives from 10 European countries. The main feature of this event is the recreation of all aspects of medieval society: art, crafts, festive, military and everyday life. For two days the whole city will live in a special way, and nothing in it will remind you that it is the 21st century – costumes and means of transport are appropriate to the era, lighting is only candle and torch, and all objects of civilization are 'masked' with wood. Over two days, the city will host three costumed processions with Italian flag jugglers, two wedding ceremonies and ten knight tournaments. Participants will be able to attend real medieval feasts, learn how to wash in a medieval bathhouse and properly greet different persons according to their status. A torch show will take place late Saturday evening. //www.middelalderfestival.dk
Port Festival, August 3-5; Scandinavian Food Festival, August 24 – September 2, Copenhagen. The basis of the Copenhagen Port Festival is sports and cultural events. The rich festive program will not let anyone get bored. For sports lovers – lacrosse, football, diving, canoe racing. The cultural program is even more diverse. For example, in one day you can learn to dance traditional folk dances, swing, and salsa; attend a belly dance festival, listen to classical choral singing, jazz and rock, watch performances by traveling circuses and theater troupes, and also learn to water ski with professional instructors, and basic techniques of martial arts.
And at the end of August, the 3rd Scandinavian Food Festival will take place in Copenhagen. You can learn about the specifics of preparing national dishes, watch culinary competitions, and attend themed shows with inevitable tastings on the city streets, in Tivoli Park, and in many restaurants. //www.visitcopenhagen.com
SPAIN
Feria de Malaga, August 10-19, Malaga. National cuisine and sweet Malaga wine (vino fino), flamenco, horse-drawn carriages as the main means of transport, music on every corner, all passersby in national costumes – that means the fiesta in Malaga has begun. It is during the August Feria de Malaga that you can understand what multi-day fun in Andalusian style is like. Daily fireworks and bullfighting at the Plaza de Toros allow you to fully immerse yourself in the elements of the ancient festival. //www.andaluclick.com
Aste Nagusia fiesta, August 18-26, Bilbao. The most famous Basque fiesta, Aste Nagusia, opens with a cannon shot, cries of barkers, and a greeting from the Marijaia doll. Participants can expect daily bullfighting, numerous shows, traditional strength competitions, fireworks, and Basque national cuisine dishes, which gourmets consider the best in Spain. The fiesta ends with the burning of the Marijaia doll. Tourists should remember that many shops are closed during the fiesta. Fireworks are best viewed from the city bridges. //www.bilbao.net
La Tomatina Festival, August 29, Buñol. La Tomatina is a grand tomato battle that made the small town near Valencia famous worldwide. Usually, about 30,000 people take part in the battle. There are many legends about the birth of the festival, but for half a century now, at the end of summer, locals first prepare for the battle: they cover windows, doors, and shop windows with plastic shields, and then prepare ammunition – more than 100 tons of ripe tomatoes. On the day of the battle, at a conditional signal (a cannon shot), an hour-long tomato shootout begins, with one unwritten rule: before throwing a shell at anyone, you must squeeze it until juice appears. Again, at a signal, the battle stops, and the streets are washed with water from an ancient, Roman-era aqueduct. After the battle, the fiesta continues for a whole week. //www.latomatina.com
ITALY
Arts Festival 'Under the Tuscan Sun', August 4-16, Cortona. The solarity of the name symbolizes the main idea of this Tuscan festival – love for life and beauty. On the opening day, there will be a traditional evening classical music concert on Piazza Signorelli. The program includes daily symphonic and chamber music concerts, lectures and seminars on contemporary literature, art exhibitions, workshops on traditional Chinese medicine, and wine tastings. //www.festivaldelsole.com
Palio di Siena, August 16, Siena. The August Palio di Duomo in Siena is one of the most important and spectacular. And again, only the winner will receive the main trophy – the 'palio' – a banner with the image of the Virgin Mary. The winner must give a grand dinner for his contrada, which shared the victory with him, at the end of September. Well, before the race, there will be a parade and acrobatic performance, and after the race - concerts, fireworks, brass band parades, dances, tastings of national cuisine. //www.comune.siena.it
Street Musicians Festival, August 20-26, Ferrara. The festival of street musicians and traveling actors will take place in Ferrara for the 20th time this year. The era of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance will come alive in music and theatrical performances in the historic city center. But this event is famous not only for ancient music. This year, musicians from 26 countries will gather in Ferrara, performing traditional and non-traditional music, as there are special competitions for those who can play on tin cans, crystal glasses, saws, and washboards. //www.ferrarabuskers.com
CYPRUS
Wine Festival, August 24 – September 2, Limassol. The organizers of the Limassol Wine Festival are trying to revive the ancient traditions of celebrating Dionysia in a modern version. You can get acquainted with mythology and ancient rituals at costumed parades in honor of Dionysus and Aphrodite, at folklore concerts, at theatrical performances of ancient comedy, and at free tastings of local wines. The most exciting here are traditionally the competitions for proper grape pressing – in groups, with feet, and to music. All festival events take place in the city garden on the seashore. //www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy
NETHERLANDS
Canal Festival, August 11-19, Amsterdam. In mid-August, Amsterdam will host the traditional Canal Festival (Grachtenfestival), which is famous for its open-air classical music concerts on various stage platforms. The organizers have developed special tours along the canals of Amsterdam, as well as a special children's festival program. The holiday will end with a final concert on a floating stage in front of the Pulitzer Hotel. Most concerts at this festival are free. //www.grachtenfestival.nl
Fireworks Festival, August 16-19, The Hague. The International Fireworks Festival will be held for the 28th time in a suburb of The Hague, the resort town of Scheveningen. Teams of pyrotechnicians from six countries will present fireworks and compositions that will be evaluated by a special jury according to several criteria: presentation, originality, musical accompaniment, coloristics. Fireworks shows will take place twice a day (at 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM), and on the last day, the winners will be awarded. On August 16, teams from Brazil and Germany will demonstrate their skills, on August 17 – from Spain and China, and on August 19 – from Great Britain and the Netherlands. //www.vuurwerkscheveningen.nl
POLAND
Dominican Fair, until August 19; Bell Festival, August 3-5, Gdansk. In August, Gdansk hosts the famous Dominican Fair, known not only for all kinds of inexpensive goods from different countries, but also for a festival of street musicians, circus and theater groups. The main event of the fair is considered to be the Bread Festival, during which a huge wheat braid is baked in front of spectators. Traditional amber items are especially popular with shoppers at the fair.
The sound of bells is familiar to residents of Gdansk, but at the beginning of August, real virtuosos, local and invited, will play the bells. The best works of the Baroque and 20th centuries will be heard here: from Bach to Rubinstein. //www.gdansk.pl
FINLAND
Flower Festival, until August 4, Tampere. Actually, the flower festival is just an excuse for a multi-day celebration in Tampere. After the solemn opening ceremony and costumed parade, guests are treated to a huge table with national cuisine dishes on the same central square, a flower auction, and fun until morning in the "wine village" and at music venues. In the following days, you can attend a folklore festival, samba carnival, salsa and flamenco festival, participate in the election of the flower queen, and also visit numerous flower exhibitions. //www.tamperetunnetuksi.net
Classical Music Festival, August 10-19, Turku. The oldest Finnish city of Turku, rightfully the ancient capital of the country, annually in August gathers the best musicians from all over the world. Chamber music will be performed in the famous concert hall "Sigyn". In the Academic Concert Hall and the nearby Cathedral - music of the Renaissance and Baroque. Large symphony orchestras will perform in Concert Hall. The event will open this year with the musical show "Mozart's Journey to Prague", on August 11 audiences will see the musical composition "Schumann's Night", on August 13 there will be a concert by violinist Anna-Liisa Bezrodnaya, as well as the show "Beethoven's Night". The concert "Bach by Candlelight" will take place on August 16, a concert by young Finnish guitarist Juuso Nieminen on August 19. //www.tmj.fi/2007
Folklore Festival, August 6-12; Linen Festival, August 25-26, Seurasaari. In the National Park and open-air museum on Seurasaari Island, in addition to traditional tours, in August you can attend a folklore festival featuring music and dance groups. At the end of August, at the Linen Festival, visitors can learn about all stages of linen cloth production, and at the fair buy handmade linen products. //www.nba.fi
FRANCE
Basque Fiesta, until August 5, Bayonne. The name of the city of Bayonne, located near Bilbao, means "good harbor" in Basque. The Basque Fiesta is the most popular summer event in the city, attracting huge crowds. To blend into the festival crowd, one must dress in traditional Basque clothing – white top, white bottom, red scarf around the neck. The solemn opening ceremony will end with the traditional "mascleta" – fireworks and exploding firecrackers will be heard and seen all night. Then the program is as follows: in the morning – Basque gastronomic delights, in the afternoon – costumed parades and bull runs, in the evening – traditional Basque dances and songs, then bullfighting, and at night – concerts. //www.fetes-de-bayonne.com
Celtic Festival, August 3-12, Lorient. This year, at the 37th Celtic Festival, 80 music and dance groups will perform, so in ten days in the city of Lorient, located on the Brittany peninsula, you can truly get acquainted with Celtic culture and art. Musicians, artists, sculptors, directors and writers from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, from Galicia and Asturias, from the Isle of Man gather here. You can listen to folk, spiritual and modern Celtic music (rock, jazz), learn folk dances, and if desired, even grasp the beauties of the Celtic language. The theme of the festival this year is Scotland, and the most exciting event of the holiday is the competition of bagpipe orchestras (bagad). //www.festival-interceltique-2007.com
Oyster Festival, August 9-12, Gujan-Mestras. Near Bordeaux and Arcachon is the oyster capital of Aquitaine – the city of Gujan-Mestras, which annually hosts a grand oyster fair and festival. About a million people come here in mid-August to taste the freshest oysters with "proper" and original sauces combined with local wines. Visitors are also treated to theatrical performances, live music, a handicraft fair, and traditional sports competitions. //www.ville-gujanmestras.fr
CROATIA
Street Festival, August 7-14, Poreč. Multi-genre and eclectic street festivals are becoming increasingly popular in Europe. As the organizers of such a festival in Poreč say, the most important thing for participants is to present an interesting and spectacular program. During the week on the waterfront and in the city center, there will be open performances by theater and circus groups, musicians and artists, who will offer the public their multimedia performances, installations and graffiti. //www.poup.hr
Donkey races, August 9-12, Sali (Dugi Otok island). The famous donkey races in Sali are best reached by sea from Zadar, especially since on the opening day of the festival a whole team of 'barkers' will go there to invite residents and guests of Zadar to a traditional island summer festival with a half-century history. Friday is a gastronomic day dedicated to national cuisine, dominated by fish dishes. On this day, at the port area, you can enjoy local food and folklore performances. Saturday is a sports and music day: during the day – motorcycle races, sack races, and tug-of-war, and in the evening – live concerts at the pier. The funny donkey races can be seen on Sunday, with awards for both the fastest donkey and the most stubborn one. \/\/www.dugiotok.hr, \/\/www.eventguide.ru
CZECH REPUBLIC
International Music Festival, until August 25, Cesky Krumlov. This small town is famous for its medieval architecture, music festivals, and theatrical knight tournaments. Almost every day during this festival, artists from Europe, the USA, Japan, and Australia will perform. The musical range is from classical to folk and jazz. Two days dedicated to the musical art of France and Ireland deserve special mention – their concerts will be complemented by an introduction to national cuisine. \/\/www.festivalkrumlov.cz
SWITZERLAND
60th International Film Festival, until August 11, Locarno. In early August, the anniversary film festival opens in Locarno. Its organizers immediately bet on young filmmakers: this festival discovers new names and is not afraid to award little-known directors, actors, and cinematographers. This event is also known for having the largest cinema hall during the screening of competition films become Piazza Grande, which seats 7,000 people. Special programs have been created for the anniversary: a film retrospective dedicated to Italian actresses Signore & Signore, which includes 19 films from 1941 to the present, and the Back in Locarno program dedicated to the best directors who have participated in the festival throughout its history. \/\/www.pardo.ch
Street Music Festival, August 9-11, Bern. For three days from 6 pm to midnight, a street festival will take place in the Old Town area, with about 30 musical groups participating. Among them: a group of African acrobats, the Robin Nolan Streetproject group playing gypsy jazz, singer Mark Gillespie, folklore groups from Germany and Bulgaria, and the vocal quartet Niniwe. Also at the festival, you can see performances by two puppet theaters and the Belgian theater of absurd Lorgnette. \/\/www.buskersbern.ch
Nyuta KUKUSHKINA.
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