Belgium
Brussels Flower Carpet, August 13-14. Every two years, the Grand-Place, Brussels' central square, is covered with a carpet of live begonias "tuberosa grandiflora" (this variety was bred in 1860 in Flanders). The fragrant freshness of the begonias will be maintained by a whole system of fountains organically integrated into the interweaving of patterns made of 800,000 flowers. For 3 euros, you can view the living carpet, which covers 300 square meters, from the balcony of the city Town Hall. On the evening of August 14, fireworks and a light-and-sound show are expected. //www.dreamit.be/flowercarpet
Caribbean Festival, August 13-14, Hoogstraten. A large festival of Caribbean music, also called the "Antillean Fiesta," takes place in a small town near the Belgian-Danish border. Musicians from Jamaica, Cuba, Congo, Colombia, Haiti, Puerto Rico, fiery salsa, ska, zouk - and festival grounds turn into dance floors. //www.antilliaansefeesten.be
Meyboom Festival (Tree of Joy), August 9, Brussels. Every year on this day, a procession of costumed giants moves from the Church of Our Lady of Sablon to erect the so-called "May tree" on the central Grand-Place square. The roots of this ritual go back to the 13th century, and the May tree itself symbolizes gratitude to Saint Lawrence for his martial feats, in this case for saving a wedding from robbers.
Great Britain
Caribbean Carnival, August 7, Leicester. The 20th Caribbean Carnival in Leicester will open with a colorful parade through the city's central streets. It then moves to Victoria Park, where fiery live music will sound until morning, people will dance and have fun and choose a king and queen. Originally, the carnival was timed to coincide with another anniversary of the abolition of slavery - this event became one of the festival's themes in the past. By the way, the carnival changes themes every year, and this year's leitmotif will be the simple word "Masquerade." Last year's themes sounded far more exotic: "Islands," "Egypt," "Below the Sea," "Elements (water, earth, air, fire)." //www.lccarnival.org.uk
Robin Hood Festival, August 2-8, Mansfield. An annual theatrical festival is held in Sherwood Forest in honor of the most famous outlaw. Spectators become observers and even participants in the legendary duel between Robin Hood's free archers and the treacherous Sheriff of Nottingham. Festival participants will also be entertained by jesters, jugglers, and minstrels. Falconry and archery competitions will create a medieval atmosphere. //www.nottinghamshiretourism.co.uk/robinhood/
Notting Hill Festival, August 29-30, London. It is considered the largest European street festival in Caribbean style. On the last weekend of August, the only law in the western district of London, Notting Hill, becomes the law of carnival elements. The carnival procession is led by musicians (initially it was a "jazz truck"), followed by a procession of dancers - the festival's main attraction, and then the procession of the king, queen, two stars, and a numerous retinue that anyone can join. The traditional festival program will definitely include drum orchestras and spicy Caribbean food. //www.thecarnival.tv
Sweden
Medieval Week, August 1-8, Visby. The organizers of this event guarantee full immersion in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Medieval music, medieval costumes, games, tournaments, markets, processions have been stirring the historical memory of festival participants for years. Wild boar hunting, knightly tournaments held according to all the rules in front of the Beautiful Ladies, turn this small town on the island of Gotland into a mighty fortress city of the 14th century. //www.medeltidsveckan.com
Midnight Run, August 14, Stockholm. "Several thousand feet," as the Swedes say, will run at night to music and enthusiastic cries of the crowd of fans under the beams of Stockholm's streetlights. That night, everyone is invited to leave homes and clubs and watch a demonstration of a healthy lifestyle - a marathon 10-kilometer run in which 15,000 people will participate. //www.midnattsloppet.com
Germany
Main River Festival, August 6-9, Frankfurt am Main. This festival, a traditional celebration of gratitude to the Main River, has very ancient roots. The festival is based on a sacrifice ritual: fishermen pour wine into the river's waters and roast a whole bull on the bank. The festive regatta and fireworks can be watched both from the shore and from Frankfurt's old bridges. //www.bahn.de/pv/view/index.shtml
Pop-komm World Pop Music Fair, August, Cologne. Every August, Cologne becomes the epicenter of European musical life. Trade stands of a thousand music companies are located in the famous exhibition center Messe, where collections of the latest music are presented. Numerous concerts by pop musicians take place at the city sports arena, open-air venues, and clubs. Last year, for example, Russia was represented here by t.A.T.u. and Reflex.
Gourmet Night, August 22, Bacharach. The ancient town of Bacharach is located on the most picturesque bank of the Rhine (near Koblenz) and is famous for its vineyards and ancient castle ruins. It is believed that the best Riesling is made here, so wine tastings are the basis of the festival. Fireworks, music, dancing, and tasting of the best national dishes are obligatory. //www.firework.river-rhine.com
Spain
Basque festival Aste Nagusia, August 21-29, Bilbao. With a cannon shot, the cries of barkers and the greeting of the Marijaia doll, one of Spain's biggest fiestas, the traditional Basque festival, opens. Participants can expect daily bullfights, numerous shows, traditional strongman contests, fireworks and, of course, dishes of Basque national cuisine, which gourmets consider the best in Spain. The fiesta ends with the burning of the Marijaia doll. //www.bilbao.net
Tomato battle La Tomatina, August 25, Buñol. The small town of Buñol, located 50 km from Valencia, is famous for its grand tomato battle, in which about 30,000 people participate every year. There are many legends telling how it all began, but for half a century now, at the end of summer, local residents first prepare for the battle: they cover windows, doors, and shop windows with plastic shields. Then they 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, in which there is one unwritten rule: before throwing a projectile at anyone, you need to squeeze it properly until juice appears, just in case... 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.whatsonwhen.com
Italy
Feast of the Snow of the Virgin Mary, August 5, Rome. And again snow will fall, and the altar of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore will be strewn with white petals. On this sultry August day, people will rejoice in the snow, albeit artificial, for they will be partaking in the mystery of revelation and the miracle of incarnation. In 352, on a stuffy August night, the Madonna appeared in a dream to Pope Liberius and ordered him to build a temple where snow would fall the next day. The next morning the Esquiline Hill was covered in snow. On that site the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore was founded, its construction completed in the mid-5th century. //www.romaturismo.com/v2/en/main.asp
Open Forts Day, August 1, Venice. Only once a year can one visit the many Venetian forts around Venice, closed to the public, built mainly in the 16th and 17th centuries. //www.comune.venezia.it/forti/ Forti2002/FORTI.asp
Jousting tournament, August 7-8, Oria. This small town has restored and turned into a theatrical performance the historical decree on processions and knightly tournaments of the legendary Frederick II from 1225. The tournament opens with a kind of immersion in the era - a procession of actors in medieval costumes. But the main attention of the public is focused on knightly battles, conducted according to ancient rules. //www.brindisiweb.com
France
Water tournament in Provence, August 1, Marseille. Fun and spectacular water competitions are very fashionable in France. It is believed that the rules of such tournaments were formed in Ancient Egypt. In essence, it is a duel between two brave "knights" standing in different boats opposite each other. The one who cannot keep his balance and falls into the water loses. Today such competitions are successfully broadcast on sports channels, and in their time Queen Catherine de Medici simply adored them. //www.marseille-tourisme.com
Week of Astronomy and Gastronomy, August 1-7, Fleurance. There, where the air is clean and the land is beautiful, in the very heart of the Gascon plateau, is the Ferme des Etoiles, and on this "farm" there is an astronomical observatory equipped with the latest telescopes. It is there that for a whole week visitors can freely observe the starry sky and listen to lectures by specialists on the structure of the universe and the discovery of new stars. At the same time, intellectual and spiritual food will be supplemented by earthly food - dishes of French cuisine offered to guests at this unique festival. //www.tourisme-midi-pyrenees.com
Finland
Classical music festival, August 12-22, Turku. The oldest Finnish city - the ancient capital of the country - annually gathers the best musicians from around the world. Chamber music will be heard 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 at Concert Hollе. The festival program also includes dance music and children's concerts. Young musicians can look forward to masterclasses from world-famous celebrities. By the way, concert tickets cost from 10 to 50 euros. //www.turkumusicfestival.fi
Czech Republic
International Music Festival, until August 28, Český Krumlov. This small town is famous for its medieval architecture, music festivals, and theatrical jousting tournaments. Almost every day during the music festival, artists from Europe, the USA, Canada, and Australia will perform. August 14 is a special day of the holiday: it is called "Baroque Night with Antonio Vivaldi". //www.czechmusicfestival.com
"Verdi Festival", August 19-31, Prague. According to established tradition, the "Verdi Festival" opens the season of the State Opera in Prague. On August 19 and 28, the opera "Il Trovatore" will be performed; on August 20, "Rigoletto"; on August 21 and 24, "La Traviata"; on August 22 and 28, "Nabucco"; and on August 27 and 31, "Aida". //www.opera.cz