AUSTRIA
Mozart Week, January 21-30, Salzburg. As is known, the coming year has been declared the Year of Mozart, so on the composer's birthday (January 27) the anniversary festival "Mozart Week" will open – a true celebration of music. The character and scale of the festival can be judged by its current motto – "The city is a stage." On the opening day of the festival in Salzburg, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra will perform under the direction of Nikolaus Harnoncourt. Symphonic and chamber music by Mozart and his contemporaries will be performed by world-class stars: Gidon Kremer, Yuri Bashmet, Renée Fleming, Mitsuko Uchida, and others. //www.mozarteum.at
International Hot Air Balloon Festival, January 16-22, Filzmoos. For 25 years now, in January, Filzmoos (a ski resort in the eastern part of the state of Salzburg) has been gathering balloonists from around the world. The usual January skiing will be interspersed with a truly pastoral scene: in a snowy clearing, in the magical light of an Alpine morning, colorful balloons will rise into the air, and residents and numerous guests of this beautiful Austrian village will happily watch the flight, celebrating the occasion with mulled wine and concerts. //www.filzmoos.at
GREAT BRITAIN
International Festival "Celtic Connections," January 11-29, Glasgow. In 1993, a small folk festival was first held in Glasgow. Over the years it gained momentum and gradually became the largest celebration of Celtic art, annually attracting thousands of fans of Celtic culture from around the world. In 2006, the festival will last nineteen days. During this time, about 200 musical concerts will take place in the city: from grand shows to club-like Scottish music parties. //www.celticconnections.com
Winter Ale Festivals, January 13-14, Exeter, January 27-29, Cambridge. The English are very proud of their "real ale": they say its main advantage is taste, and each cask of ale has its own character and temperament. Moreover, real British ale is never carbonated (with a head of foam over the glass like beer) and is colored in an amazing way (experts say good ale should "glow"). There is a huge variety of ales: from light brown, light and slightly sweet in taste to bitter and almost black "winter" varieties. The festival organizers promise that more than 60 varieties of ale will be presented at the celebration, each with an appropriate appetizer. //www.ussc.cam.ac.uk, //www.camra.org.uk
Mime Festival, January 11-29, London. The world's largest mime festival has been held in London for about 30 years. World-famous mime artists, clowns, and magicians take part in competitive performances held at concert venues across the British capital. Every year, this event is attended by more than 30,000 spectators. In 2006, the festival will open with a performance by the "theater of the future" Compagnie 111, which combines movement, physical artistry, illusionism, and digital technology in its work. //www.mimefest.co.uk
GERMANY
Dog racing, January 28-29, Todtmoos. The respectable resort town of Todtmoos in southern Germany will turn into an exciting, frivolous, and passionate city at the end of January. The reason is real dog sled races, which will bring together thousands of participants from all over Europe. All of them will, of course, be primarily concerned with the main prize of the competition and the winner's title, while spectators can place bets or simply enjoy the spectacle: dog races on snow are very spectacular. //www.todtmoos.de
Winter Carnival Season, until February 28, Munich. The carnival season ("Fasching") in the capital of Bavaria will begin on January 7, the day of the Three Magi, and will last a whole month. Often the fun spills out onto the streets: spontaneous processions of masked revellers are a common occurrence, as many shops sell carnival costumes, decorations, and makeup. The most eventful week in terms of carnival events will be the last week before Lent. //www.muenchen.de
DENMARK
International VinterJazz Festival, January 27 - February 5, Copenhagen and other cities. This jazz festival is one of the main winter events in Denmark. As part of the festival, more than 200 concerts will take place, featuring jazz groups from around the world. More details about the VinterJazz program can be found on the festival's official website. //www.vinterjazz.dk
SPAIN
Music Festival, until February 18, Canary Islands. The festival organizers claim that the Canary Islands are famous not only for their beaches and carnivals, but also for their love of serious classical music. In 2006, symphony orchestras from London and The Hague, the Basel Chamber Orchestra, and the Polish Philharmonic Orchestra will perform in the Canaries. After the festival ends, the musical celebration will continue: carnival days will begin on the islands. //www.festivaldecanarias.com
ITALY
Feast of Saint Biagio, January 28-30, Bovolone. This fair in the town of Bovolone, located near Verona, has been held since 1278. The folk spirit of the celebration has remained almost unchanged: it includes costumed performances, lots of music, and songs and dances. The fair itself specializes in handmade goods, local cuisine, and also tasting and selling local varieties of tobacco. It is highly recommended to try local cheeses and salami, washing them down with Venetian wine. //www.fiera.bovolone.net
NETHERLANDS
35th International Film Festival, January 25 - February 5, Rotterdam. At the end of January, the 35th film festival will kick off in Rotterdam, specializing in films by young directors and unconventional cinema. This year, six world premieres are expected at the festival, and 45 films will be shown in the feature-length fiction competition, including "Gagarin and Co" by Aleksei German Jr. In addition, numerous exhibitions related to cinematic art will be held as part of the festival in Rotterdam, and discussions and meetings with directors and actors will be organized. //www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com
FRANCE
International Comedy Film Festival, January 17-22, Alpe d'Huez. Right in the middle of the ski season, the resort town of Alpe d'Huez will host the international comedy film festival for the ninth time. This year, directors Bernard Rapp and Josiane Balasko, actors Patrick Bouchitey and Bibi Naceri will attend the festival. Premieres, meetings with directors and artists, and an awards ceremony for the best comedies with laughing yellow stars (the festival's symbol) – that's what awaits vacationers in January. //www.alpedhuez.com
Feast of Saint Vincent, January 28-29, Burgundy. The French believe that Vincent, a saint of Spanish origin whose memory is honored in late January, is the patron saint of grape growers and winemakers. Many legends are associated with the name of Saint Vincent, and the celebrations at the end of January have very ancient roots and a common narrative in almost all wine-growing regions of France. In Bordeaux, the Feast of Saint Vincent is celebrated for one day, and in Burgundy for two. On the first day, after the festive mass, a procession with a statue of Vincent passes through the town, after which winemakers do not sell but offer their own young wine absolutely free to all who wish to taste it. In the evening there are concerts and balls, and the next day there are more tastings and tours of local wineries. And another important point: the fate of the future harvest is determined by the weather on Saint Vincent's Day. //www.st-vincent-bourgogne-2006.org
CZECH REPUBLIC
Days of European Cinema, January 26 - February 5, Prague. This festival was originally conceived as a 'one-off event': Czech audiences were simply to be introduced to European cinema. Unexpectedly for the organizers, the introduction was extremely successful. As a result, it was decided to continue discovering new European films every year. The organizers are proud that during film screenings on festival days, cinemas are packed, although Hollywood films are not shown there on principle. On the first day of the festival (January 27), audiences will be able to see 'Warsaw' by Polish director Dariusz Gajewski, 'Control' by Hungarian Nimród Antal, and Ruy Guerra's film 'Portugal S.A.' //www.eurofilmfest.cz
SWEDEN
Cod Festival, January 20-22, Helsingborg. This unusual festival is the most popular among similar fishing competitions. Taking part in it becomes more prestigious and profitable every year: the main prize, which will go to the winner who catches the most fish, is not small at all – €6,500. The rules of the competition are simple: for three days, professionals and amateurs of deep-sea fishing stock up on provisions and equipment, including echo sounders, and go to sea at nine in the morning. They return at three in the afternoon. The catch is weighed and assessed (each cod must be at least 45 centimeters long). On the third day, the total catch is counted. They say no one gets bored at this festival, because not only the fishermen themselves are gripped by the excitement, but also the fans, who have a great time waiting for the participants. //www.havsfiske.wasa.net
SWITZERLAND
Schlitteda Festival, January 15, St. Moritz. In St. Moritz there is a curious custom called Schlitteda. It is an ancient tradition of sleigh riding, which locals take very seriously. No one remembers where this custom came from, but once a year men and women dress up in old-fashioned clothes, decorate 'family' sleighs and horses – and a procession accompanied by musicians sets off on a journey around the area. This holiday is good precisely because of its seriousness and unexpectedness: serious competitions of skiers, snowboarders and ski jumpers are held everywhere – and here there is a folk festival and mummers. //www.stmoritz.ch
World Snow Festival, January 16-21, Grindelwald. The World Snow Festival in Grindelwald is considered one of the most prestigious and spectacular. Sculptors from many countries around the world will 'cut away all that is superfluous' from ice blocks so that only the embodied creative idea remains clear and transparent. Spectators will be able not only to watch the creative process, but also to talk with the masters and even help them create sculptures. On the last day of the festival, the jury will announce winners in various categories. The snow festival will end with concerts and folk festivities. The theme of the upcoming festival is passion. //www.grindelwald.com/