AUSTRIA
Culture Days, October 13-24; Jazz Festival, October 26 - November 5, Salzburg. The Salzburg Culture Days have long had a serious reputation among classical music lovers. This year the festival will open with the opera 'Tosca' by G. Puccini (October 13 and 14), followed by a concert by the Salzburg Symphony Orchestra performing music by Mozart, Brahms, Gershwin, and Shostakovich (October 21). The festival will conclude with the ballet 'La Traviata' by G. Verdi (October 24) performed by the Prague Opera and Ballet Theatre.
Autumn Jazz Festival in Salzburg celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, so in addition to daily musical concerts, two photo exhibitions will open as part of the festival – by Peter Baum and Peter Brunner – and there will be a free screening of a series of thematic films dedicated to jazz. Among the participants of this year's festival are pianist Eddie Palmieri (October 27), Brazilian singer Leni Andrade (October 28), Al Di Meola (October 29), Take 6 (November 1). //www.salzburg.com //www.viennaentertainment.com
Elevate Festival, October 25-28, Graz. At the end of October, a festival will take place in Graz dedicated to the city's main symbol – Schlossberg, a green hill almost 500 m high, on which the remains of an ancient fortress are preserved. Here the Schlossbergfestival (as locals call it) will be held. From 6:00 pm to 6:00 am, on open-air stages, viewers will be able to enjoy concerts and theatrical shows. The first day of the festival is dedicated to techno and jazz, the second to indie rock, the third to experimental synthetic musical art. //www.elevate.at
BELGIUM
Brussels Flower Carpet, until October 9, Brussels. The flower carpet of begonias is one of the most beautiful sights in Brussels at the very beginning of October. About a hundred professional florists will turn the ordinary lawns around the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart into tropical flower plantations irrigated by small fountains. Fountains and flowers together will form a single ornamental composition, best viewed from above, by climbing under the dome of the basilica. //www.belgium-tourism.net //www.brucity.be
Jazz Festival, until October 8, Bruges. This festival in Bruges is usually called a review of European jazz. This year jazz bands from France, Portugal, Hungary, Great Britain, Sweden, Germany and Italy will perform. Concerts will take place in the Concertgebouw and Groeningemuseum, where two photo exhibitions dedicated to the history of blues and swing will also open. This year all visitors to Jazz Brugge will receive a pleasant surprise: a ticket to the festival concerts gives the right to free entry to any museum in Bruges. //www.jazzbrugge.be
UNITED KINGDOM
Goose Fair, until October 8; Robin Hood Festival, October 21-22, Nottingham. And again the legendary Middle Ages will be relevant in October in Nottingham. First, the famous Goose Fair will take place, where Robin Hood himself appeared 'to lure the treacherous Sir Guy into the forest and take away his stolen gold'. At that time the fair was located in the city center, now it works both in the city and in the legendary Sherwood Forest. Here you can buy not only food supplies, but also jewelry, paintings, ceramics, and also have fun: rides, comic competitions, theatrical and circus shows will dilute the mercantile interests of visitors.
And on October 21 and 22, a staged show will take place at Nottingham Palace, reviving the events of the 'eternal' confrontation between brave forest warriors and the evil sheriff of Nottingham. Medieval attributes (costumes, musicians, fairs) and the opportunity to be not only a spectator but also a direct participant in the performances. //www.nottinghamgoosefair.co.uk //www.nottinghamfringe.com //www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Arts Festival, October 12-28, Canterbury. The Canterbury Festival is one of the oldest English arts festivals. It has strong traditions and is considered an important event in the cultural life of Great Britain. The festival will open on October 12 with the premiere of the musical 'My Fair Lady', which will then run daily until October 16. Over two weeks, the festival will offer visitors concerts of classical music, theatrical performances, films, jazz and folk performances, and concerts for children. One of the most popular events of the festival is the flower show – it will take place on October 15. //www.canterburyfestival.co.uk
Big Big World Music Festival, October 21-28, Glasgow. The name of this festival reflects the essence of the events: it will feature diverse music from all continents. African ethno will be represented by 'prince of kora' Toumani Diabate, Cuban music by the legendary group Buena Vista Social Club, Canadian music by Allison Crowe, Iranian music by Payvar Ensemble, Indian music by Shubha Mudgal. October 26 is reggae day at the festival. The main event of the day is a performance by The Twinkle Brothers. //www.soundsfine.co.uk
GERMANY
Festival of Lights and other festivals, October, Berlin. One of the main events of the month is the traditional Festival of Lights, which will take place from October 17 to 29. The city will be unusually illuminated, decorated with light installations. The festival includes a fireworks marathon.
From October 20 to 23, a festival dedicated to Japanese art and culture will take place at Spandau Citadel. This year the focus is on martial arts, ikebana, origami, ink drawings, Japanese calligraphy, and the art of kimono. Essential attributes are Japanese cuisine, dances, and sword fights. Traditionally, each day of the festival will end with karaoke and fireworks.
On the last weekend of October, on the night from Saturday to Sunday (28-29), when the whole country peacefully switches to winter time, all major stores in Berlin will be open until midnight, having prepared special offers and programs for their customers. Cinemas, bars, cafes, restaurants are also not going to sleep - after all, successful purchases need to be celebrated. In addition, unusual night sightseeing tours of the city and even convertible rides will be organized. //www.festival-of-lights.de //www.japanfestival.de //www.lange-nacht-des-shoppings.de
Onion Festival, October 13-15, Weimar. In October in Weimar, the city of poets and philosophers, according to a tradition that has existed since 1653, the Zwiebelmarkt – onion market – opens. There you can not only replenish your onion stocks but also taste more than a hundred national dishes made from it – from soups to desserts. Of course, nowadays the Zwiebelmarkt is not just an "onion market" but a real festival, featuring not only giant market stalls but also carnival entertainment, a Saturday marathon run, strong dark March beer, and the election of the Onion Queen. //www.weimars-welt.de
GREECE
Women's Festival, October 8, Nea Petra. This amazing holiday takes place every year in October in the small Thracian villages (an hour's drive from Thessaloniki) of Nea Petra and Monoklisia. Once a year, power there passes into women's hands. During this festival, women and men simply swap places: men stay at home and take care of the household and children, while women indulge in real revelry all day. Wild bacchanalias are organized by women's movements with very telling names - "Amazons" and "Lysistrata". Women from all over northern Greece come to the festivities; men are forbidden to appear there (though an exception is made for musicians). //www.cultureguide.gr
SPAIN
Seafood Festival, until October 15, El Grove. The Fiesta del Marisco in El Grove (Pontevedra) has long turned into a true sea paradise for seafood gourmets. But before, it was just a local festival dedicated to the catch of turbot and mussels. But every year the number of seafood fans grows. They come to this festival to taste dishes of halibut, shellfish, lobsters, crabs, langoustines and other marine delights. Sculpture exhibitions, a folklore festival, sports competitions and other shows will add fun and diversify the endless tastings. //www.galinor.es
Fiesta of Saint Pilar, October 7-15, Zaragoza. This festival is considered the most vibrant in northern Spain. Plaza del Pilar in Zaragoza with the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar will become the center of a multi-day celebration. Every evening there will be musical shows with artists from all over Spain. Also during the fiesta, you can see costume parades, water competitions on the Ebro River, folklore festivals, and of course, bullfights. And also on these days, Zaragoza will have its own "mini-Octoberfest" with tastings of various beer varieties and local cuisine. //turismo.ayto-zaragoza.es
ITALY
Slow Food Festival, October 26-30, Turin. The main goal of the festival is a visual promotion of the movement's philosophy, which arose almost 20 years ago as a protest against the cosmopolitanism of "fast food and the depersonalization of food." Exhibitions and conferences for professionals will be accompanied by luxurious tastings, to which everyone is invited (last year there were more than 120,000 people). Visitors will be able to grasp the spirit and meaning of food without haste, savoring cheeses, meat and seafood delicacies, as well as desserts. Particularly popular are the wine lounges and cellars, where usually more than 300 varieties of wine are tasted according to all the rules. //www.salonedelgusto.com //www.slowfood.com
RomaEuropa Arts Festival, until December 9, Rome. More than 300 artists from 20 countries will take part in this prestigious international arts festival, which will be held in Rome. The festival will open with a large classical music concert near the Palladium Theatre (free admission). On October 14, the Sensoralia festival of electronic music and video art will take place. On October 26 and 27, Brancaleone will host performance-concerts that represent a true synthesis of arts – music, contemporary dance, video art, and sculpture. On October 27-29, audiences will see the contemporary theater show The Andersen Project directed by Robert Lepage. The detailed festival program can be found on the official website. //www.romaeuropa.net
CYPRUS
Grape Festival, until October 8, Limassol. "Afamia" is the name of the ancient grape harvest festival that takes place in the village of Koilani, located not far from Limassol. The main event of the festival will undoubtedly be the tasting of juices, wine, and desserts made from local grapes. On these days, according to tradition, a folklore festival, singer and dancer competitions are held, and a craft fair and painting exhibition open. By the way, in Koilani, the local winery produces excellent "Commandaria" – one of the oldest dessert wines in the world. //www.cyprustourism.org
Kypria Festival 2006, until October 11, Nicosia. The most significant event in the cultural life of Cyprus is considered the international Kypria festival, which takes place in September-October in various cities. In October, the most packed program awaits residents of the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia (or Lefkosia, as Greek Cypriots call it). Here there will be a musical show Kyprogeneia, a classical music concert with the participation of European choral groups, and on October 9, a jazz concert will take place. The festival will conclude with a performance based on Euripides' tragedy "Iphigenia in Aulis". //www.cyprustourism.org
NETHERLANDS
Dance festival, October 19-21; Great Boat Journey, October 8, Amsterdam. The dance and electronic music festival ADE attracts primarily a young audience: it is here that you can get acquainted with new fashionable trends in club music. Popular DJs and dancers will take part in the festival, including Chic, Jeff Mills, DJ Sneak, Mark Farina, DJ Dego, Jack de Marseille, DJ Moguai and Marcello.
Another event draws lovers of beautiful shows to Amsterdam - the boat procession. On Saturday, October 8, when it is completely dark, 500 kayaks, canoes and kayaks will set off on a great journey along the city's inner canals. The charm of the celebration is that each boat is illuminated in its own way. //www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl //www.visitamsterdam.nl
FINLAND
Fish Fair, until October 7, Helsinki. This fish fair, or as the Finns themselves call it, "fish festival," has a long history and has existed since the 18th century. The festival is dedicated to the end of the fishing season and the last big catch of herring and small tasty fish. Every day on the Market Square of the city they will sell both fresh and specially prepared salted, pickled fish and, of course, famous herring in mustard sauce with dill. //www.hel2.fi
Sibelius Music Week, October 22-28, Jarvenpaa. This festival is held with the active participation of the Sibelius Music Academy and is famous primarily for discovering new stars. October 22 is Baroque music day, October 24 is Russian music day, October 26 is opera day, October 27 is Mozart day. The music of Jan Sibelius will not be omitted either. //www.jarvenpaa.fi
FRANCE
Jazz Festival, October 7-21, Nancy. The "eclectic" festival in Nancy presents all the richness and diversity of jazz styles and trends. Traditional blues, swing, Dixieland, ska, and avant-garde jazz coexist here. This year, Mina Agossi, Bojan Z, Ahmad Jamal Trio, Lo'Jo, I N Fused and many others will come to the festival. The main events will be concerts by Cesaria Evora (October 21) and John Zorn (October 19). This year, the organizers promise many free-admission concerts. //www.nancyjazzpulsations.com
Week of Taste, October 16-22, various cities. The famous French "week of taste" was conceived as a protest against fast food. Many restaurateurs supported this protest. The result is as follows: during the week, many French cafes and restaurants offer visitors a wide variety of dishes at minimal prices.
In addition to this special week, it should be noted that in October France will host: the shrimp festival in Honfleur (October 7-8), the Wine Festival in Besancon (October 20-22), apple festivals (end of October). //www.besancon-tourisme.com //www.legout.com/home.php //www.crt-auvergne.fr
CZECH REPUBLIC
Jazz festivals: October 16-21, Hradec Kralove; October 27 - November 2, Prague. "Jazz Comes to Town" is the name of the festival that will take place for the 12th time in Hradec Kralove. It is famous for the fact that jazz will indeed be heard throughout the city: in the theater, cafes and restaurants, Philharmonic halls, on streets and squares. And the final concert will be held at the congress center "Aldis." A competition for young performers will be held as part of the festival. The music and visual installation "Jazz Ducks Walk to Town" at the Gallery of Modern Art also promises to be interesting.
The prestigious international jazz festival in Prague will take place for the 30th time this year. Musicians from seven countries will perform in Prague's jazz clubs "Lucerna" and "Reduta." Among the participants of the anniversary festival are legendary musician Sugar Blue (October 31), the Dutch group Basily, performing gypsy jazz (October 29), famous gospel singer Vera Love (October 30), and the avant-garde jazz project Band Elephant Noise. //www.jazzgoestotown.cz //www.jazzfestivalpraha.cz //www.czechtourism.com
SWEDEN
Beer and Whiskey Festival, until October 7, Stockholm. More than a thousand varieties of beer, whiskey, cider and calvados will be presented at this Swedish festival. A traditional feature has also been detailed consultations from producers and specialists for all interested: numerous seminars are held as part of the festival. One of the popular consultation topics for visitors is the compatibility of the presented varieties of drinks with snacks: sausages, oysters, cheese, and chocolate. //www.stockholmbeer.se
SWITZERLAND
Autumn Festivals, until November 2, Lugano. The gastronomic festival taking place in October in Lugano is called a "celebration of haute cuisine." gastronomic festival. In restaurants and cafes, visitors will be offered special tasting programs, which at minimal prices will include traditional local dishes.
Be sure to check out the international puppet theater festival, which will take place in the first week of October: there will certainly be no sadness here. //www.lugano-tourism.ch //www.taa-michel-poletti.ch //www.rassegnagastronomica.ch
Nyuta KUKUSHKINA.
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