AUSTRIA
International Festival of Contemporary Dance, Theater and Music 'Summer Stage', July 3-19, Salzburg. This year's festival theme is 'Movement and Excitement'. William Forsythe, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Meg Stuart and Philippe Gehmacher, among others, will present their understanding of the language of movement. The festival program will delight not only with dance performances, but also with concerts, lectures, talk shows, film screenings and exhibitions. //www.sommerszene.net, //www.salzburg.info
Salzburg Summer Festival, July 26 – August 3, Salzburg. In summer, the best European musicians, conductors, singers, and actors gather in Mozart's homeland. The 'Summer Festival' in Salzburg has a rich history, founded by composer Richard Strauss, director Max Reinhardt, and poet Hugo von Hofmannsthal. The festival program includes opera and drama productions, concerts, classical and contemporary works. The opening, which will take place at the Mozart House, will feature one of the festival's seven opera premieres – 'Don Giovanni' (directed by Klaus Guth, conductor Bertrand de Billy). Under the baton of conductor Riccardo Muti, Verdi's opera 'Otello' and Mozart's 'The Magic Flute' will be performed. Fans of Russian singer Anna Netrebko should go to Charles Gounod's opera 'Roméo et Juliette'. Also, as part of the celebration, there will be a series of concerts 'Continent Sciarrino' and 'Schubert Scenes'. Among the theatrical novelties of the season is 'Crime and Punishment' (directed by Dimitar Dinev). //www.salzburgfestival.com, //www.salzburgfestival.at
BELGIUM
Medieval pageant Ommegang Pageant, July 1-3, Brussels. This ancient festival has been celebrated in the Lower Town area since 1549. On the first day, traditionally a large costume parade takes place, which is always attended by the royal family. In the square, knights in armor, archers and crossbowmen will compete in strength and agility. The festival program also includes theatrical performances, a festival of Belgian national cuisine, a crafts fair, and a folk music concert. //www.ommegang.be
Rock festival in Werchter, July 3-6, Werchter. The Belgian rock festival, held annually in the town of Werchter, is among the best music festivals in Europe. This year's participants include: Neil Young, Moby, Róisín Murphy, Radiohead, R.E.M., The Chemical Brothers, The Verve, Counting Crows, Modern Skirts, Vampire Weekend, Babyshambles, Digitalism, Editors and many others. Ticket price for one day – €75, for 4 days – €165. The price includes train travel from any Belgian city to Leuven, as well as transfer from Leuven to the festival. Camping costs an additional €17 per day. //www.rockwerchter.be
Alternative music festival Dour, July 17-20, Dour. The music festival in the Belgian town of Dour will be held for the 20th time. Tens of thousands of alternative music fans will gather in the area of abandoned coal mines, where a tent city will be set up. Reggae, rock, techno, club music, jazz, rap, chanson, hip-hop – musicians will experiment with any styles and genres. Over the four days, more than 200 musicians from dozens of countries will perform for festival guests. Ticket prices range from €45 to €100. //www.dourfestival.be
UNITED KINGDOM
Olympics for Gentlemen, July 12, London. During this Olympiad, participants drink a considerable amount of gin and tonic, often smoke a pipe, and demonstrate their skill in mixing martinis without the help of a valet. They tie each other's ties, play curling on grass and hockey using an umbrella instead of a stick and a bowler hat instead of a puck, stage a steeplechase where men act as horses and women as riders. In one contest, gentlemen will whisper rather piquant compliments to the ladies. The winner will be the one who gets the loudest slap. The Olympiad, organized by The Chap magazine, will take place at Bedford Square. //www.thechap.net
Annual Scottish Highland Games in Inverness, July 19-20, Inverness. In mid-July, the Highland Games will be held in the Scottish city of Inverness. The history of this festival goes back to the past, when the ancestors of today's Scots measured their strength and showed their dexterity. Modern Highland Games mainly consist of weightlifting exercises. The sports program includes competitions in stone throwing, caber toss, hammer throw, and weight throw for height. The cultural part of the festival promises dance competitions and bagpipe contests. Everyone is welcome to participate in the competitions. //www.invernesshighlandgames.com, //www.inverness-scotland.com 
Medieval festival in Sherwood Forest, July 28 – August 3, Nottingham. The summer festival in Nottingham is dedicated to the famous hero of English folklore, Robin Hood. In Sherwood Forest, you can meet forest outlaws, jesters, actors, musicians, ladies, knights, and yeomen. The program includes knightly duels, noisy medieval-style feasts, and a fair. Children will be offered to play as trackers and hunters or practice archery. Entrance to the festival is free. //www.robinhood.co.uk
GERMANY
Schlager festival, July 4-5, Hamburg. In July, Hamburg hosts the annual music festival Schlagermove. It will start with a party on Friday, but the main events will take place on Saturday. Thousands of residents and guests of Hamburg will take part in the morning parade. Cars and buses decorated with ribbons, flags, and garlands of balloons and flowers will drive through the city streets. Participants of the procession will dance to lively tunes and sing their favorite songs. In the evening of the same day, the celebration will move to several venues where modern hits and the best schlagers of past years will be played. //www.schlagermove.de
Love Parade, July 19, Dortmund. This year, Love Parade, one of the most grandiose events of the year, will take place in Dortmund. According to club news, the mass procession will take place under thunderous house, trance, and techno. Anyone can join the procession. The event is not limited to just the procession: the entire city will turn into a huge nightclub for the duration of the festival, the best DJs in Europe promise to work around the clock, and beer will flow like a river. //www.loveparade.de
GREECE
Festival of Greek Drama, July 4 – August 23, Epidaurus. This festival of Greek drama takes place annually in the summer in the city of Epidaurus (a two-hour drive from Athens). Performances are held on the stage of the ancient theater, built in the 4th century BC. The diameter of this theater was once 114 meters, and the building was divided into sectors by stone staircases. In ancient times, actors entered the stage through corridors located on both sides of the stage. Only a stage with a diameter of 20 meters has survived to this day, but the theater in Epidaurus is still famous for its excellent acoustics. The festival program includes musical and theatrical performances based on ancient Greek drama and folk music. Performances take place on Fridays and Saturdays, starting at sunset (around 9:00 p.m.) and ending at midnight. Tickets cost from €15 to €100. //www.greekfestival.gr
DENMARK
ROSKILDE Music Festival, July 3-6, Roskilde. This iconic Danish festival annually gathers about 100,000 music lovers in Roskilde (30 km from Copenhagen). This year, more than 150 bands and performers will perform on seven main stages, including Neil Young, The Chemical Brothers, Cocorosie, Digitalism, Jay Z, Radiohead, and Slayer. //www.roskilde-festival.dk
Viking Festivals, July 4-20, Jels. The 'Viking Chronicles' in Jels is one of the most extensive Viking festivals in Denmark. Festival guests will enter a real world of warriors, where they can observe the life of the Vikings and their battles on water and land. On the lake next to the festival, legendary Viking longships – long, narrow boats with curved prows – will be on watch. Anyone can take a ride on them. //www.jelsvikingespil.dk
World Santa Claus Congress, July 21-23, Copenhagen. In July, the World Santa Claus Congress takes place in the capital of Denmark. In the amusement park Bakken (17 km from Copenhagen), built especially for this event, overseas Santa Clauses gather to discuss pressing issues: whether to move the date of Christmas, whether special air corridors are needed for reindeer sleighs, and what gifts to give children. As part of the congress, a colorful parade is held, in which Santas participate in traditional red-and-white costumes, fur coats, and boots. The culmination of the congress is the election of the main Santa of the year. This season, 120 Santa Clauses from Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Ireland, the Netherlands, Venezuela, and other countries will come to Copenhagen. //www.bakken.dk
SPAIN
Running of the Bulls and San Fermín Festival, July 6-14, Pamplona. The most important event in Pamplona's July life will be the running of the bulls and the festival of San Fermín. For a week, thrill-seekers will flee from bulls. Anyone can participate in the run. However, the organizers insist that you should only run if you are in good physical shape, well-rested, and have not consumed alcohol. But no matter what the organizers say, new injuries are inevitable. San Fermín traditionally also includes a solemn mass, a costume procession, a parade of giant puppets, and a folklore festival. //www.pamplona.net, //www.sanfermin.com
ITALY
Festival of Two Worlds, June 27 – July 13, Spoleto. At the end of June, the 50th Festival of Two Worlds will take place in Spoleto. Known to many as the 'Spoleto Festival', over the years it has become an important event in the world of dance, drama, and opera. This year, the festival will feature Jean-Luc Bondy, Bob Wilson, and Janusz Kuch. The festival will conclude with a performance by the famous London Symphony Orchestra. //www.spoletofestival.it
NORWAY
Northern Peoples Festival 'Riddu Riddu', July 9-13, Tromsø. Once a small local cultural event, over time it has become famous and gained international status. Now thousands of guests from different countries come to the festival every year. The program includes folk music concerts, including throat singing, exhibitions, screenings of thematic films, hikes, seminars for children and adults, cooking classes, and food tastings. //www.riddu.com
FINLAND
Ruisrock Festival, July 4-6, Turku. The Ruisrock Festival will take place in early July near Turku, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. Ruissalo Island, where the campsite will be set up, is only six kilometers from the city. Festival guests can expect performances by foreign and Finnish musicians. This year's program includes Ministry, Apocaliptica, HIM, Amorphis, and others. Campsite space costs €15. //www.ruisrock.fi
Flower Festival in Tampere, July 25 – August 2, Tampere. This year's festival program includes about 200 events for adults and children. The festival will feature concerts, art exhibitions, sports competitions, dance shows, excursions, and children's contests. A flower exhibition will open on Tampere's central square. Among the most beautiful girls in the city, festival guests will choose a 'Flower Princess', and one of the senior residents of Tampere will be awarded the title of 'Flower Mayor'. Also during the festival, you can try national Finnish dishes and exotic delicacies. Tampere can be reached from Helsinki by car or train in about one and a half to two hours. //www.tamperetunnetuksi.net
FRANCE
Bastille Day, July 14, Paris and other cities. The celebration will begin with a military parade on the Champs-Élysées, and then Paris and many other French cities will hold balls, public festivities, and concerts. The celebration will end with fireworks at the Eiffel Tower and on the Champ de Mars. //www.franceguide.com
Festival in Carcassonne Castle, July 5-30, Carcassonne. The July arts festival will traditionally take place in the medieval Carcassonne Castle. This fortress makes an indelible impression on both participants and guests of the festival. The festival has been held since 1957 and over half a century has become one of the most spectacular summer events. Its program includes more than two dozen theatrical and dance performances, opera productions, concerts, and shows. The festival's repertoire includes both classical and contemporary productions. This year, festival guests can expect "The Tales of Hoffmann" by Jacques Offenbach, Diana Ross, Vanessa Paradis, Massive Attack, ballet stars of l'Opera de Paris, the National Orchestra of Lyon, and much more. Ticket prices range from €15 to €70. Carcassonne can be reached by car, train, or plane. //www.festivaldecarcassonne.com
SWITZERLAND
Jazz Festival, July 4-19, Montreux. For two weeks, music lovers are invited to the shores of Lake Geneva in Montreux. The Montreux Jazz Festival, founded in 1967, has become one of the largest jazz events in Europe. Many stars, not only jazz, have performed on its stage – from Miles Davis and Ray Charles to David Bowie and Massive Attack. Some time ago, the organizers announced an expansion of the festival's styles and directions, so now besides jazz, rock and pop music are also played. In addition to paid concerts, the festival will have many open free stages. In the parks, young groups from Europe, Israel, America, and Russia will perform every evening. Trains from Montreux station will run to Gstaad and Rochers-de-Naye, with jazz bands playing on board, and steamboats will depart from the pier for exciting musical journeys. //www.montreuxjazz.com, //www.montreuxjazz.com
Oksana KISLITSYNA.
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