Among the 'rarities' it is worth highlighting, perhaps, the bell festival in Polish Gdansk and the medieval festival in Langres, France, where from a spectator you can easily turn into a participant - for example, sign up for the royal guard. Well, to make it easier for you to plan your holiday route, read the next issue of the European events poster from Gazeta.Ru.
BELGIUM
Music festival Klinkers, July 29 - August 13, Bruges. The annual summer festival Klinkers gathers musicians from all over the world (this year - from Algeria, Spain, France, USA, Ireland and Italy). Large concerts within the festival will take place on the beautiful medieval square Burg, and small chamber concerts - in bars, cafes and the Cactus club. During the festival, dance classes will be open, where you can learn to dance both tango and techno. //www.klinkers-brugge.be
Meyboom Festival, August 9, Brussels. Since 1213, a May tree, or tree of joy, has been erected every year on the central square of Brussels. Nobody is bothered that this happens in August: tradition is tradition. The most spectacular part of this ceremony is the procession of costumed giant dolls, which moves from the Church of Our Lady in Sablon to the Grand-Place. The May tree symbolizes gratitude to Saint Lawrence for his military exploits, in this case - for saving a wedding from robbers. //www.meyboom.be
Paulusfeesten Festival, August 10-16, Ostend. In the famous Belgian seaside resort town of Ostend, famous for its golden sands and dunes, the Paulusfeesten festival, which already has a thirty-year history, will take place in mid-August. First of all, it is a music festival distinguished by stylistic diversity. It is also famous for its Dixieland performances, classical music concerts, Celtic music performances, and rock concerts. A special theatrical program has been developed for children. //www.oostende.net
GREAT BRITAIN
International Beatles Week, August 24-30, Liverpool. It is clear why this international festival is held every year in Liverpool, and it is clear that it attracts crowds of Beatles fans - both musicians and ordinary listeners. The festival program includes not only numerous musical concerts dedicated to the memory of the legendary four, but also a special excursion program, exhibitions, an auction (August 27) and flea markets that are very popular. This year, Bob Bartey and Lawrence Gilmour will take part in Beatles Week. On Sunday, there will be a big concert at the festival, which will feature about 50 musical groups. //www.cavern-liverpool.co.uk
Robin Hood Festival, August 1-7, Mansfield. Sherwood Forest will again this year become the meeting place for Robin Hood's free archers, and spectators will be able to watch and take part in the endless duel between the noble outlaws and the Nottingham sheriff, who will do his best to stop the festivities. But the sheriff will be deceived and defeated, and the audience will see performances by jesters and jugglers, spectacular shows by traveling theaters, and listen to the songs of minstrels. There will also be falconry and archery competitions. By the way, anyone can shoot from a longbow. //www.nottinghamshiretourism.co.uk
Carnival, August 12-20, Southend-on-Sea. This carnival can be called, at the very least, 'not only for children', since the program is full of entertainment events specifically for children and their worried parents. The public will be touched on August 17 by the children's carnival costume contest, on the 18th - by the dog show, on the 19th - by children's competitions, with participants aged from 3 to 7, and on August 20 both children and adults will be able to let loose, as in the evening there will be an illuminated parade that will end with a big fireworks display over the sea. //www.southend-on-seacarnival.org.uk
Bagpipe Festival, August 13, Glasgow. In August, the Scottish spirit is stronger than ever. Firstly, in many Scottish cities during August, the ancient Highland Games will be held, where 'true warriors' will compete in stone putting, caber tossing, hammer throwing, and wrestling. And Glasgow will gather bagpipers from all over the world for the festival. Drummers and dancers will also take part in the competitions. And the winners will receive awards in various categories. //www.rspba.org
GERMANY
Maschsee Festival, July 27 - August 14, Hanover. Needless to say, this city lake, Maschsee, is beautiful, and it is in honor of it that the festival in Hanover is held. Numerous concerts and shows will take place on open and closed stages, and fun children's programs have been developed for the weekends. At the festival you can taste local delicacies and take a boat ride on the lake: special cruises are organized. On July 28 and August 11, everyone will indulge in the 'chocolate club', on July 30 - the festival features a day of acrobats, circus performers and puppet theater, on August 2 - a day of choral performances, on August 5 there will be a laser show to the music of Deep Purple, on August 13 - theater day. The festival will open and close, of course, with a grand fireworks display. //www.hannover.de
Main River Festival, August 5-8, Frankfurt am Main. This festival is a traditional celebration of gratitude to the Main River and has very ancient roots. It is based on a sacrifice ritual: fishermen pour wine into the river's waters and roast a whole bull on the shore. The festive regatta and fireworks can be observed both from the shore and from the old Frankfurt bridges. //www.frankfurt-tourismus.de
Gauklerfest Festival, August 5-14; Turkish Festival Simdi, August 27 - September 4, Berlin. The Gauklerfest Festival of jugglers and clowns takes place in the historic center of Berlin, so you can watch the wild performances of wandering artists and funny clowns, musicians and acrobats while also sightseeing. National dishes, wine, beer—in short, a complete gentleman's set for a tourist. True, the organizers promise "surprises every day."
The purpose of the other festival, which will start operating at the end of August, is to present Turkey's dynamically developing culture and art. Of particular interest are the festival of new Turkish films, new theater productions, and music concerts. Famous Tarkan will perform at the festival on September 4. //www.gauklerfest.de
GREECE
Carnival, August 15-28, Zakynthos Island (Zakynthos). For two weeks, Zakynthos Island will be seized by a carnival that, in its splendor, brilliance, and grandeur, resembles genuine ancient Greek festivities, which is exactly what the organizers are striving for. Funny costume parades, dances, performances of ancient comedies, theatrical improvisations on the central square of Zakynthos, as well as mandatory cheese tasting—all these are indispensable attributes of modern stylized bacchanalia. It is believed that Bacchus himself governs this carnival, the beginning of which will be announced by heralds, and the festive days will end with the symbolic comic "funeral of the Mask." //www.gnto.gr
DENMARK
Medieval Festival, August 26-27, Horsens. In the last days of August, Horsens will turn into a noisy and bustling medieval town. Local residents will dress in clothes of that era, fairs will operate everywhere, ancient music will play, and guests can expect concerts and performances by wandering and puppet theaters. But the most spectacular and interesting things at the festival are knight tournaments, medieval weddings, and falconry. And no plastic cups—only handmade goblets. //www.middelalderfestival.dk
Port Festival, August 4-7; Fair, August 12-14, Copenhagen. The basis of the Port Festival in Copenhagen is sports and cultural events. The festival's rich program will not let anyone get bored: if you like sports, there is football, diving, and canoe racing. The cultural program of the festival is even more diverse, covering a wide range of musical styles and directions. For example, in one day you can learn to dance both traditional folk dances and breakdance; see a jazz ballet performance and attend a belly dance festival. The festival will also feature Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and Iranian art. And a week later, an arts and crafts fair will open on the central square of Copenhagen, where handmade items and antique trinkets will be sold. Here you can also taste delicacies. //www.kulturhavn.dk
Arts Festival, August 26 - September 4, Aarhus. The Arts Festival in Aarhus is the largest Scandinavian festival, held since 1965. Its program is usually rich and varied, as it includes opera performances, ballet, a theater festival, classical and contemporary music concerts, sports competitions, and a film festival. This year the theme of the festival is "The Magic of Fairy Tales," because the whole world is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Hans Christian Andersen. //www.aarhusfestuge.dk
SPAIN
Feria de Malaga Festival, August 12-21, Malaga. Sherry, flamenco, horse-drawn carts, music on every corner, all passersby in national costumes—this is the fiesta in Malaga. The multi-day Andalusian-style celebration is punctuated by daily fireworks in the port and, of course, bullfights at Plaza de Toros. //www.feriamalaga.com
Basque Fiesta Aste Nagusia, August 20-28, Bilbao. With a cannon shot, the cries of barkers, and the greeting of the Marijaia doll, one of Spain's largest fiestas, the traditional Basque festival, opens. Participants can expect daily bullfights, numerous shows, traditional strongman competitions, fireworks, and dishes of Basque national cuisine, which gourmets consider the best in Spain. The fiesta ends with the burning of the Marijaia doll. But tourists should remember that many shops are closed during the fiesta. //www.bilbao.net
La Tomatina Tomato Battle, August 31, Buñol. The last day of summer will be anything but boring in Buñol: a grand tomato battle will take place there, making the small town 50 km from Valencia famous worldwide. Usually about 30,000 people take part in the battle. There are many legends about how it all started, but for half a century now, at the end of summer, locals first prepare for the battle: they cover windows, doors, and shop windows with plastic shields and prepare ammunition—more than 100 tons of ripe tomatoes. On the day of the battle, at a prearranged signal (a cannon shot), an hour-long tomato fight begins, in which there is an unwritten rule: before throwing a projectile at anyone, you must squeeze it well until juice appears. Again at a signal, the battle stops, and the streets are washed with water from the ancient, still Roman, aqueduct. After the battle, the fiesta continues for a whole week. //www.lahoya.net
ITALY
Knight Tournament, August 13-14, Oria. This small fortress town, located not far from Brindisi, has restored and turned into a theatrical performance the historical decree of the legendary Frederick II from 1225 on processions and knight tournaments. The tournament opens with a kind of immersion in the era—a procession of actors in medieval costumes. But the main attention of the audience is, of course, focused on knightly duels held according to ancient rules. //www.folclore.it
Palio di Siena, August 16, Siena. No sooner had the talk in Siena about the July Palio (Provenzano) died down than another one, the Duomo, will take place in mid-August. And again, only the winner will receive the main trophy – the "palio" – a banner with the image of the Virgin Mary. The winner will have to give a grand dinner to his contrada, which shared the victory with him, at the end of September. Well, before the races there will be a parade and acrobatic performance, and after the races – concerts, fireworks, brass band parades, dances, tastings of national cuisine dishes. //www.comune.siena.it
THE NETHERLANDS
Holidays in Amsterdam, August. Amsterdam will be especially lively in August: one holiday will follow another. On August 13-14, a festival with a century-old tradition, Hartjesdag, will take place: with costume parades, circus performances and village-style parties. Classical music can be heard in the city at indoor and outdoor venues at the canal festival (August 17-21). And in the last days of August (26-28), the Uitmarkt arts festival will take place, opening a new season of cultural life in the Netherlands. //www.hartjesdagen.nl, www.uitmarkt.nl
POLAND
Bell Festival, August 5-7, Gdańsk. The sound of bells is familiar to the residents of Gdańsk, but in early August real virtuosos, local and invited (Carl van Eyndhoven and Joost van Balkom from Holland), will be playing the bells. The festival will feature the best works of the Baroque era and the 20th century: from Bach to Rubinstein. And from August 6 to 14, the Shakespeare Theatre Festival will be held in Gdańsk. //www.gdansk.pl
FINLAND
Classical Music Festival, August 12-21, Turku. The oldest Finnish city, Turku, rightly the ancient capital of the country, annually gathers the best musicians from around the world in August. Chamber music will be heard in the famous Sigyn concert hall. In the Academic Concert Hall and the nearby Cathedral - music of the Renaissance and Baroque. Large symphony orchestras will perform in Concert Hall. Young musicians await master classes from world celebrities. On August 13, Marcel Proust & Music will perform at the festival; on the 15th - guitarist Ismo Eskelinen; on the 16th - Jazz Club; on the 21st - WolfGang string quartet; on August 20 there will be a concert of Bach's music in the Cathedral, and on the 21st WolfGang string quartet will perform. //www.turkumusicfestival.fi
Helsinki Festival, August 19 - September 4. The largest Finnish festival, distinguished by its variety of styles, trends and events, "grew" out of Sibelius Music Week. Now the Helsinki Festival program includes classical and contemporary music, film screenings and performances by theater troupes (audiences will see a new Chekhov production by Lev Dodin), a jazz festival, exhibitions and presentations. Among the festival guests are violinist Christian Tetzlaff and pianist Andras Schiff, the groups Zap Mama and Tinariwen. And on August 25, as part of the festival, the Night of the Arts will take place, when the doors of all museums and galleries will be open until late at night, and live music will be heard on the city streets. //www.helsinkifestival.fi
FRANCE
Celtic Festival, August 5-14, Lorient. Over the ten festival days in the town of Lorient, located on the Brittany peninsula, you can truly get acquainted with Celtic culture and art. Musicians, artists, sculptors, directors and writers from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, from Galicia and Asturias, from the Isle of Man come here. You can listen to folk, spiritual and modern Celtic music (rock, jazz), learn to dance folk dances, and, if you wish, even discover the beauties of the Celtic language. This year's special theme of the festival is Ireland. //www.festival-interceltique.com
Medieval Festival L'Estivale des Hallebardiers, August 4-27, Langres. Langres is an ancient fortress city, which is why a medieval festival looks very organic there. Langres is also famous for being the birthplace of Denis Diderot. It is believed that this medieval festival differs from many similar ones in its freedom and improvisation, so the line between costumed participants and spectators is blurred. On the narrow streets of the city, you can try to join a troupe of wandering acrobats, or you can enlist in the king's guard. In short, you step into living history. The festival also has a special children's program. By the way, note: Sunday is not a festival day. //www.istc.org
Basque Festival, August 3-7, Bayonne. It is no coincidence that the city's name means "good harbor" in Basque, especially since Paris is far away and Bilbao is within easy reach. To "blend in" with the festival crowd, you need to dress in traditional Basque clothing (white top, white bottoms, red scarf) – then you can safely go to bull runs and bullfights, listen to traditional choral singing, learn to dance Basque dances and taste national cuisine dishes. //www.fetes-de-bayonne.com
CROATIA
Summer Festival, July 22 - August 26, Krk. This traditional summer cultural festival has been held on the island of Krk since 1957. The festival program includes opera, ballet, drama, concerts of early and contemporary music, and performances by folklore ensembles. Festival events take place at indoor and outdoor venues in the old city center. On August 2, the festival will feature G. Rossini's opera "The Barber of Seville". A similar festival will continue until October on the Croatian island of Hvar. //www.grad-krk.hr, www.hvar.hr
SWEDEN
Medieval Week, August 6-14, Visby. The organizers of this festival guarantee full immersion in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Medieval music, 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 beautiful ladies, turn this small town on the island of Gotland into a mighty fortress city of the 14th century. //www.medeltidsveckan.com
SWITZERLAND
Summer festival Fetes de Geneve, August 4-14, Geneva. The events of this largest festival in Europe take place mainly on the shores of Lake Geneva. Therefore, in addition to numerous concerts, shows, parades (including a dance parade), tastings of national dishes from different countries, at the festival you can see a magnificent water parade. Everyone will be able to choose a musical direction to their taste at Fetes de Geneve, as this festival features classical music, folk music, and techno. //www.fetes-de-geneve.ch