World Santa Claus Championship to be held in Switzerland
AUSTRIA
Wienmodern Festival of Contemporary Music and Performance, October 29 – November 21, Vienna. The festival program includes a retrospective of such patriarchs of electronic music as Edgard Varèse and Iannis Xenakis, authors of the famous "Poème électronique". In the "Portrait" section, the organizers present Robert Ashley, Ole-Henrik Moe, and Bernard Gander, while the "Focus" falls on Eva Reiter and Philipp Quehenberger.
Among the invited performers are SWR Sinfonieorchester, Arditti Quartet, Ensemble Ictus, the Chamber Ensemble of New Music (Berlin), Robin Rimbaud aka Scanner, and others. Among the composers whose music will be performed this year, in addition to those listed, are Oğuz Usman, Frank Zappa, Gérard Grisey, Eduardo Mogiliansky, and about 40 other authors. Also as part of the festival, American and European television archives from the 1950s-1980s dedicated to contemporary music of that time will be shown. For those who find this insufficient, the organizers have prepared a subsidiary festival of contemporary music theaters and performers called "Dschungel Wien Modern". A general festival pass costs €79, with free admission to many events. //www.wienmodern.at
Vienalle – Vienna International Film Festival, October 22 – November 4, Vienna. The festival opens with the new film by Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel, "La Pivellina" ("The Little One"), which won the Europa Cinema Prize at Cannes 2009, and closes with the Coen brothers' black comedy "A Serious Man". Festival guests will also be offered a special program of 12 films, this year dedicated to British actress Tilda Swinton, whose recent roles include Elizabeth Abbott in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and the White Witch in "The Chronicles of Narnia". //www.viennale.at
Christmas Market, November 19 – December 26, Salzburg. In addition to the wonderful market where you can buy Christmas gifts, several concerts by various choirs and orchestras will take place daily on the square in front of the cathedral. The exhibition hall at the Fischbrunnen fountain promises to show landscape watercolors by local artist Johanna Kopp, an exhibition of nativity scenes, and a collection of Salzburg angels (from Gothic wooden to Baroque marble).
For children and their parents, several events are planned dedicated to Krampus, the evil companion of St. Nicholas from folk beliefs. You can learn more about the literary-folkloric, historical, and biological aspects of this character at special events at the Toy Museum, the zoo, and the State Theatre. //www.christkindlmarkt.co.at
BELGIUM
Feast of Saint Hubert, November 3, Saint-Hubert. The town of Saint-Hubert celebrates its patron saint's day every year. Saint Hubert or Hubertus, Bishop of Liège, who lived in the second half of the 7th – first half of the 8th centuries, preached among the pagans in the Ardennes and left a significant mark on the history of the entire region. But he was especially beloved in the city now bearing his name because his relics were once transferred to the Benedictine abbey there. It is believed that the day of the transfer of the relics to the abbey began to be celebrated as this saint's day. Hubertus was highly venerated in the Middle Ages, patronizing hunters, archers, dogs, and gamekeepers, and his episcopal vestments are a relic because they are said to have cured numerous cases of rabies.
The main celebrations dedicated to the Apostle of the Ardennes will take place in the basilica. Nearby, a festive procession will be held, followed by a blessing of animals, and numerous craft stalls will open. All this to the sounds of fanfares and hunting horns. In the afternoon, equestrian competitions are scheduled. //www.saint-hubert-tourisme.be
Snow and Ice Sculpture Competition, November 21 – January 11, Bruges. The organizers estimate that the festival uses about 300,000 kilograms of pure ice and 400 tons of white snow. Each participant receives an individual ice block weighing 2 tons. Daily from 10:00 to 19:00 at the station square in Bruges, you can see masterpieces by masters from China, Canada, Sweden, the USA, the Netherlands, and Belgium, as well as watch films about the creation of snow and ice sculptures. Adult tickets cost €13, with a €2 discount for students, children, disabled people, and pensioners; children under 4 free. Groups of more than 20 people get a discount. //www.icesculpture.be
GREAT BRITAIN
World's Biggest Liar Competition, November 19, Wasdale, Cumbria. Every year at the Bridge Inn, one of the participants in this competition receives a tie with the inscription "World's Biggest Liar". This person immediately joins the ranks of the valley's other attractions, which include: the deepest lake in England (Wastwater), the highest mountain in England (Scafell Pike), the smallest church (Wasdale Head Church), and Will Ritson, who was once the owner of the inn where the competition is now held and won the first contest for the title "best liar". Everyone has a chance to win. To try your luck, you need to come to Wasdale in November, go to the Jennings Brewery or the inn, fill out an entry form, get your legitimate few minutes for a speech, and lie through your teeth. //www.santonbridgeinn.com
Medieval Christmas Fair, November 28-29, Ludlow Castle. The castle in Ludlow was built in the 11th century. The medieval fair is a good opportunity to see it in a historical setting. Visitors to the fair can expect traders, street performers, knights and ladies, archers and spearmen, puppet theaters, minstrels, folk ensembles, storytellers, historical reenactments, role-playing games, and gastronomic excesses. Opening hours: Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00, then from 18:00 to 21:00, Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00. Ticket price depends on age, number of people, and time of visit. The range is from free tickets for children up to 4 years old to 30 pounds for the whole family for both fair days. //www.ludlowmedievalchristmas.co.uk
GERMANY
Christmas markets, festival of mimes, November-December, Munich, Würzburg, Ulm, Dortmund, and other cities. The main event of November in Germany is the Christmas markets, of which there are thousands. They usually start in the last ten days of November and are often accompanied by sales in stores and interesting festivals. For example, in Munich on the Theresienwiese, where fans of Oktoberfest were frolicking at the beginning of last month, at the end of November-December, as part of the Toolwood festival, representatives of the international band of mimes and clowns will be causing mischief (Tiger Lillies, Litsedei, Variété: 7 Fingers, Mnozil Brass, and others).
In Würzburg you can enjoy an intimate Christmas market, along with the beautiful bishop's residence, which is a masterpiece of German Baroque. In Ulm, visitors are invited to enter the Fairy Tale Forest with their children, and from there go to the Fairy Tale Yurt. All this right on the square under the tallest church in the world. If you get tired of the cozy little markets of small historic towns, head to Dortmund: here one of the largest markets in Germany is held every year. The constant components of all markets are collectible mugs for mulled wine, which you can take home as a souvenir for a small fee, grilled sausages, Westphalian ham on the grill, sweet waffles, roasted almonds, and crepes. //www.tollwood.de
SPAIN
Hocus Pocus, festival of wizards and magicians, November, Granada. This year, special emphasis is placed on illusionists who will perform both in gala concerts and in intimate solo programs throughout the city. Participants are mainly Spanish artists, but there are also guests from China and Argentina. //www.hocuspocusfestival.com
Jazz Festival. Madrid, November 4-23. The main events will take place at the Fernán Gómez Theatre and the Teatro Real. Participants include vocalist Kurt Elling, the group Take 6, the Barry Harris Trio, Diana Reeves, and Cuban singer Omara Portuondo. The Spanish jazz scene will be represented by double bassist Baldo Martínez and the Larry Martin Band. //www.esmadrid.com
European Cinema in Seville, November 6-14. This festival traditionally screens the latest European films of the season. Screenings are divided into the following categories: feature films, including documentary and short films; out-of-competition screenings and tributes to a selected director.
Among the interesting events of this festival, which the organizers have already announced to the public, two premieres stand out. One is by Swiss video artist Pipilotti, who will present her feature film "Pepperminta". The title of the film, like the artist's pseudonym, comes from Astrid Lindgren's book "Pippi Longstocking". Pipilotti's works are characterized by special attention to color. Other works by the artist can be seen at the Andalusian Center for Contemporary Art in an exhibition running parallel to the film festival. The second announced premiere is a film by Seville director Pilar Távora, "Madre amadisima", which tells the story of a 56-year-old gay man. //www.festivaldesevilla.com
ITALY
Festival of Sacred Music and Art, November 18-22, Rome. The festival program includes concerts at the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, the Basilica of Sant'Ignazio di Loyola in Campo Marzio, Santa Maria Maggiore, and San Paolo fuori le Mura. Among the performing ensembles are the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with Mozart's "Quintet for Clarinet and Strings K 581", the American choir "The Musicians of Saint Clare", which will perform with organists Giandomenico Piermarini, James Goettsche, and other musicians, and the vocal and wind ensemble "Palatia". The festival will mark certain dates of the musical calendar with commemorative concerts. One will be dedicated to the bicentenary of Joseph Haydn's death, another to Mendelssohn-Bartholdy's birthday, and a third to the Year of Saint Paul proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI. All three concerts will take place at the Basilica of Sant'Ignazio di Loyola.
NETHERLANDS
IDFA – International Documentary Film Festival, November 19-29, Amsterdam. This festival is one of the most important in the documentary genre. The works shown are divided into three main sections: competition screenings, out-of-competition screenings, and a special selection. Films in the last section are divided into several categories (for example, documentaries about the private lives of people in developing countries or documentaries selected for screening with the participation of a young audience aged 14 to 18). Among the works intended for out-of-competition screenings, there is a whole section of films for children aged 8-13, as well as a Top 10 section (this year, films for it were selected by Eyal Sivan, a photographer, publicist, and documentary filmmaker of Israeli origin). Out of competition, experimental films are also screened, united under the general title "Paradox" and going beyond traditional documentary filmmaking. By the way, if you get tired of the seriousness of this event, you can go to meet Sinterklaas (as the Dutch call Santa Claus). This year he promised to arrive in Amsterdam on November 15. //www.idfa.nl, www.sintinamsterdam.nl
FRANCE
The main gastronomic event of November in France is, of course, the celebration of the young wine Beaujolais Nouveau. According to local laws, it can be sold no earlier than the third Thursday of the month, which this year falls on the 19th. The wine is greeted with shouts of "Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived!", and then the tasting begins. It is important to remember that Beaujolais should only be drunk young, as it loses its flavor over time. //www.beaujolais.net
Wine Festival Trois Glorieuses. Beaune, November 21-22. This annual wine festival in Beaune proves that Beaujolais is not the only option and gives the opportunity to taste real Burgundy. During the weekend, guests can participate in tastings of various wines and the famous wine auction in favor of the local hospital, founded in the 15th century. The hospital, by the way, is not only a medical institution but also a luxurious architectural monument, owner of beautiful vineyards, a charitable and educational center. Each auction ends with a large festive candlelit dinner. //www.beaune-tourismus.com
FINLAND
28th Tampere Jazz Happening Festival, October 29 – November 1, Tampere. Among the participants are the English "Portico Quartet", Cuban jazz pianist Roberto Fonseca, Turkish "Taksim Trio", Mikko Innanen & Innkvisitio, "Trio M", Gustavson – Bjirkenheim Quartet, trio "Sun" and others. And saxophonist Timo Lassy will not only perform a concert but also release his second album "Round Two" as part of the festival. A pass for the entire festival costs €110, Friday pass – €40, Saturday pass – €50. //www.tampere.fi
CZECH REPUBLIC
International Festival of Christmas Music, November 27-29, Prague. More than 60 choirs will perform at the festival, one of which is awarded the Petr Eben Prize for the best performance of works by this contemporary Czech composer, known for his attention to sacred music. The festival is organized as a competition in four categories: female, male, mixed and children's choirs perform a 15-minute program of Christmas music, with one piece performed a cappella. //www.praguefestival.cz
SWITZERLAND
9th World Santa Claus Championship. Samnaun, November 27-28. As Gazeta.Ru notes, not just individual Santas, but entire teams of Santas from different countries gather here annually. Friday's program includes a party, a lottery for a charity fund helping children, live music from Weekend, and presentations of contestants. On Saturday, there will be bobsleigh competitions, after lunch a festive procession through the entire village of Samnaun, followed by qualifying competitions that include disciplines such as "Parade of Santas", "Santa's Journey", "Creative Santa", sled races, chimney climbing, and "Best Snow Sculpture by Santas". After 8 pm, competitions include "Wooden Goat Races", "Flying Santa", and "Karaoke Santa", followed by an awards ceremony and a Santa party with live music by Chue Lee. //www.clauwau.com