AUSTRIA
Arts Festival, May 11 - June 19, Vienna. The Vienna Festival Weeks (Festwochen) is the largest event in Austria's cultural life. The diverse program includes opera, theatre performances, dance, music, and exhibitions. The festival will open on May 11 with a large concert featuring the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and children's dance groups.
Over five weeks, Festwochen will host more than 150 performances and concerts, featuring musicians from Europe, the USA, India, and Korea. Among the most interesting are a series of concerts dedicated to the works of Leoš Janáček (May 12 and 15), the opera performance by this composer 'From the House of the Dead' (based on Fyodor Dostoevsky's 'Notes from the House of the Dead'), which will take place from May 12 to 18. Also of great interest is the international premiere of the play based on Bertolt Brecht's 'Baal' (May 28 - June 1) and the puppet show '10 Days on Earth' (May 25-29). //www.festwochen.at //www.stadtfestwien.at
Baroque Music Festival, May 25-28, Salzburg. Every year, the Baroque music festival Pfingstfestspiele is held in Salzburg, harmoniously fitting into the architectural and spiritual space of the city. This year, it will open with a performance of Domenico Cimarosa's opera 'The Return of Don Calandrino' (conductor: Riccardo Muti). In the following days, music by Leonardo Leo, Alessandro Scarlatti, and other composers of the Neapolitan school will be heard. //www.salzburgfestival.com //www.salzburgfestival.at
BELGIUM
Procession on Ascension Day, May 17, Bruges. The Procession on Ascension Day in Bruges, which will take place this year on May 17, will be preceded by a spiritual music festival (May 4-11). The holiday itself will begin with a mass in the main cathedral of the city and end with a procession through the streets. The relic kept in Bruges (a piece of wool with the holy blood of Christ, sealed in a crystal vessel) is brought out of the cathedral, followed by a procession of believers. After that, a mystery procession with reenactments of biblical and historical scenes will pass through the streets. //www.holyblood.com/
May Festivals, until May 28, Brussels. At the beginning of May, two festivals will open in Brussels: Nuits Botaniques and the Brussels Arts Festival (Kunsten Festival des Arts). Nuits Botaniques, which will feature all musical genres, will run until May 12 at the cultural center located in the historic Botanical Garden and at the Royal Circus of Brussels, which seats about 2,000 spectators. Participants of Nuits Botaniques include Gotan Project, Ashanti 3000 & Kenny Knots, Ramona Cordova, Miossec, The Rakes, and other interesting musicians. //www.botanique.be //www.cirque-royal.org
The Brussels Arts Festival, until May 26, presents only new works of contemporary theatre, dance, music, media art, and film. This year, artists and musicians from Belgium, Great Britain, Denmark, Latvia, Finland, France, Croatia, and Japan will participate. The detailed program can be found on the festival's official website. //www.kunstenfestivaldesarts.be
A jazz marathon will take place in the Belgian capital on the last weekend of May (May 25-27). Classical and contemporary jazz and blues will be heard almost continuously at open and closed venues across the city. An international jazz team (about 400 musicians) will give 125 concerts on the streets, squares, clubs, bars, and theatres of Brussels. //www.belgiumtheplaceto.be //www.brusselsjazzmarathon.be
GREAT BRITAIN
May Fair and Puppet Theatre Festival, May 13, London. Two events on Sunday, May 13, will lure the British out of their homes: a generous fair and the 345th birthday of Mr. Punch. The most beloved puppet character, the soul and symbol of England, who has been entertaining the British for many years in grotesque puppet shows, Mr. Punch will gather residents and guests of London for this celebration. A festive church service will be held at St. Paul's Cathedral, followed by puppet theatre performances on the theme of 'Punch and Judy', accompanied by cheerful processions of brass bands, performances by folk groups, clowns, and circus performers. All puppet theatre performances on this day are free. //www.alternativearts.co.uk
International Music Festival, May 19 - June 4, Bath. The famous music festival in Bath will open with live concerts, a children's parade, and a performance by the Vocal Works Gospel Choir. Medieval and classical, folk and jazz, electronic and neoclassical music will be heard. Participants of the festival this year include Maxim Vengerov (May 23), Joanna MacGregor (May 21), the Borodin Quartet (May 22), and Trio Mediaeval (May 27). Four days, from May 25 to 28, are declared jazz days. Additionally, special children's concerts will be held as part of the festival. //www.bathmusicfest.org.uk
GERMANY
Festival 'Lights on the Rhine', May 12, 26, Bonn and other cities. May is the traditional month for fireworks in Germany. The best way to watch the festive fireworks is from pleasure boats that make stops in various cities. On May 26, the traditional international pyrotechnic competition will take place in Hanover, with teams from Russia and Italy participating. In the summer, five more performances by pyrotechnic stars will take place as part of the festival. //www.firework.rhine-river.com //www.hannover.de
Hamburg's Birthday, May 11-13. Hamburg will celebrate its next birthday with a traditional 'port festival'. The organizers are preparing an extensive program: parades, fireworks, all kinds of shows, including water and air shows, concerts, and traditional crafts fairs. Many, by the way, believe that the main attraction of this festival is the magnificent fish market. The 'Port Lights' festival will take place on May 11, fireworks on May 12, and the small and large parades on May 11 and 13. //www.hafengeburtstag.de
Carnival of Cultures, May 25-28, Berlin. The colorful and lavish four-day Carnival of Cultures only confirms Berlin's reputation as an 'open city'. The free coexistence and interpenetration of different cultures is the true spirit of the Berlin carnival. Participants from 70 countries will take part in the parade and masquerade (May 27), and performances by artists, dancers and musicians will combine perfectly with exotic dishes and alcoholic drinks, because culture is a broad concept. May 26 is declared Children's Day at the Carnival of Cultures. //www.karneval-berlin.de
GREECE
Flower Parade, May 28, Rhodes. The arrival of summer on the island of Rhodes has long been celebrated with a flower festival. On the last Saturday of May, streets and houses are decorated with flowers, as well as the festive national and masquerade costumes of the townspeople participating in the fragrantly beautiful flower parade. Local wine and national dishes enhance the feeling of the arrival of true summer. //www.rhodes.gr
DENMARK
Carnival, May 19-26, Aalborg. This time the carnival in the small town in northern Denmark will be held with extraordinary scope: it turns 25 years old. About 30,000 people will take part in the parade and about 100,000 spectators will act as active observers. In addition to the streets, the carnival will also cover the water space. On May 25, musical groups will compete, and on May 26, a costume parade will take place, passing through the central streets of the city. Costumes, as always, must match the chosen theme of the carnival; this year it sounds classic: 'Masquerade'. //www.karnevaliaalborg.dk
Beer Festival, until May 13; carnival, May 25-27, Copenhagen. In the Danish capital, you won't be bored in May either. First, there will be a beer festival featuring about 800 classic and exotic varieties of Danish beer. Tastings and accompanying concerts traditionally take place at the Valby Hallen center.
At the end of May, Copenhagen will be gripped by a carnival with more than 100,000 participants. Brazilian rhythms, salsa, reggae, blues, performances by the African Dance Theater, rides and funny competitions for children – on Sunday evening, all this exuberance will end with a grand costume night parade. //www.ale.dk //www.karneval.dk //www.visitcopenhagen.com
SPAIN
Horse Fair, until May 13, Jerez de la Frontera. The most unexpected impressions of a true ancient Spanish holiday can be obtained at the city's horse fair ('Feria del Caballo') in Jerez. Even someone who knows nothing about purebred Carthusian horses will surely get many pleasant impressions. Spectators can expect riding competitions, harness racing, and traditional dressage. The program also includes bullfights, livestock exhibitions and a folk festival. //www.aytosanlucar.org
Feast of Saint Isidore, until May 21, Madrid and other cities. Saint Isidore is considered the patron saint of Madrid, but this fiesta is also held in many other cities in Spain. According to legend, the saint was born in the small town of Majerit (old name of Madrid), was deeply devout, kind and humble. The acquisition of a miraculous gift – to find sources of drinking water – made him a saint in people's eyes even during his lifetime. In the 16th century, a chapel was built on the spot where, according to legend, Isidore discovered a source of drinking water. Residents of Madrid began to come here to drink or fill a vessel with water consecrated by Isidore himself. According to a long-established tradition, during the days of the fiesta every Madrilenian must visit the holy source.
At this time, music is heard throughout the city: flamenco, zarzuela, chotis, Latin rhythms. A mini-jazz festival and other musical and theatrical performances are held, and ceramics and book fairs operate. Be sure to try bitter eggplants, donuts and cocido, and then go to a bullfight at Plaza Monumental de Las Ventas, because the best matadors of Spain will show their skill there. //www.munimadrid.es //www.turismodecordoba.org
ITALY
Iris Festival, until May 12; Craft Fair, May 18-20, Florence. Florence, the 'tender iris' (according to Blok), holds a traditional iris festival in May, attracting gardeners from different cities around the world. Here they present different types of irises, including new ones specially bred for this event, which is a great success not only among professionals but also among lovers of the 'beautiful ephemeral'. This year, the flower festival, as always, will end with the awarding of the main prize for the most beautiful flower – Fiorino D'oro.
And the following weekend, the city will host a traditional craft fair where you can buy exclusive handmade items made of glass, ceramics, and wood. The most interesting thing about this fair is that almost all items are made by craftsmen in front of customers, turning a typical market into a real show. The fair takes place in Giardio Corsini. //www.irisfirenze.it //www.artigianatoepalazzo.it
International Beach Festival, May 13-20, Palermo. Beach relaxation should be active – that's roughly how you could describe the idea of the annual festival in Sicily, which will take place on the luxurious Mondello beach (near Palermo). Participants and guests can expect a colorful spectacle: windsurfing, kitesurfing and diving competitions, a sailing regatta, beach volleyball competitions, and parachute contests. Daily concerts of jazz and popular music will complement the thrills of active beach enthusiasts. //www.wwfestival.com
CYPRUS
Anthestiria: flower festivals on May 20, Paphos. Flower festivals taking place in many cities of Cyprus are dedicated to the holiday of spring turning into summer, the awakening and rebirth of nature and man. It is believed that Anthestiria brings modern man back to the ancient festivities in honor of the god Dionysus. The celebration will open with a large flower parade. First, several dozen platforms decorated with poppies, marguerites, and daisies move. The most beautiful of them belongs to the Queen of the festival and her retinue – young girls who generously throw flowers to everyone gathered. Then follows a costume procession, which anyone with imagination and who has managed to decorate their outfit with fresh flowers can join. "A feast of the soul, plants and flowers," as the Cypriots themselves call it, continues until late at night. \/\/www.cyprustourism.org<\/p>
Kataklysmos, May 25-30, coastal cities of Cyprus. The ancient pagan festival of Kataklysmos (festival of water) has its roots in the cult of Aphrodite and Adonis (however, the church associates it with the memory of the Great Flood). It is held on the seashore or by mountain streams. At dusk, thousands of people gather near the water, participating in ritual baths. Following this is the usual holiday program: fair, music, dances, performances by artists of various genres. The event ends with fireworks. Kataklysmos is especially vigorously celebrated in Larnaca, Limassol, Protaras, Paphos, and Ayia Napa. \/\/www.visitcyprus.org.cy<\/p>
NETHERLANDS<\/p>
Windmill Festival, May 13. On this day in the Netherlands, everyone waits for the wind and goes to the mills that have a blue flag hung out (this means the mill is open to visitors). Crowds gather at the mills, dressed up and renovated for the holiday, wanting to go inside, watch the millers skillfully handling their ancient craft, and then taste hot pies made from flour ground by the wind. By the way, the position of the mill's wings in the olden days communicated different events happening among the locals: for example, happy events and holidays were indicated by the so-called "walking" position of the wings, in which the miller stopped the wings just before they approached their highest point. http:\/\/www.molens.nl\/<\/p>
FRANCE<\/p>
Bravades Festival, May 16-18, Saint-Tropez. This celebration has been held since the 16th century and is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Saint Tropez, a Roman centurion who was martyred under Emperor Nero. The head of the Bravades brotherhood receives the traditional symbols of power over the city on these days. The festival will open with a musket salute, a small parade, and a costumed procession through the streets of the city. The next day after the solemn mass, there will be a festival of sacred chants and a grand parade that will turn into a costumed procession. At the end of the festival, a large outdoor service will take place. The image of the saint will be returned to the church, but the celebration will continue until night and end with fireworks. \/\/www.ot-saint-tropez.com<\/p>
Medieval Festival, May 19-20, Sedan. This is one of the best medieval festivals in Europe, creating a complete illusion of immersion in the past. Perhaps this is because the main events of the festival take place around the ancient fortress of Sedan (by the way, it is the largest in Europe, with an area of 35,000 sq. m). Under the walls of the fortress, medieval military camps will be set up, where valiant warriors will prepare for the upcoming battle. Spectators will also surely see knightly tournaments, horse races, and visit craft fairs. Everything will end with a real medieval feast in honor of the winners. \/\/www.medieval-sedan.com<\/p>
60th Cannes International Film Festival, May 16-27, Cannes. The president of the jury of the anniversary 60th Cannes Film Festival will be British director Stephen Frears ("Dangerous Liaisons", "The Queen"). This year, Asian cinema will be widely represented at the festival – films by Kim Ki-duk, Hou Hsiao-hsien, Wong Kar-wai. Takeshi Kitano will bring his film "Kantoku Banzai". Also, the competition program will include films by world-famous directors – Quentin Tarantino ("Death Proof"), Gus Van Sant ("Paranoid Park"), and "The Promise" by Emir Kusturica. The competition program also includes two Russian films – "The Banishment" by Andrey Zvyagintsev and "Alexandra" by Alexander Sokurov. \/\/www.festival-cannes.fr<\/p>
CZECH REPUBLIC<\/p>
Prague Spring Music Festival, May 12 - June 3, Prague. "Prague Spring" is a showcase of outstanding world performers, symphony and chamber orchestras. Honoring the anniversaries of great composers, the organizers include their works in the program, while also not forgetting about musical premieres of contemporary authors. More than 70 concerts will take place in Prague as part of the festival. The festival concerts will feature the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra (May 15, 16), the China National Radio Symphony Orchestra (May 22), the Houston Symphony Chorus (May 26), legendary violinist Gidon Kremer and the Kremerata Baltica chamber orchestra (May 30). \/\/www.festival.cz<\/p>
World Puppet Festival, May 27 - June 3, Prague. Marionette theaters and the best puppeteers from around the world will gather in the capital of the Czech Republic for the final part of the 11th International Puppet Festival. The first part consists of traditional performances by past winners. The second part is the festival itself (four performances per day) and the awards ceremony for the winners. Particularly popular are street shows by marionette theaters. This year, for the first time, the festival will include a competitive screening of the best modern puppet films. \/\/www.puppetart.com<\/p>
SWITZERLAND<\/p>
Festival "Soul of Africa", May 24 - June 6, Winterthur. In the Swiss city of Winterthur, located 20 kilometers from Zurich, the annual festival "Soul of Africa" will open at the end of May. The program includes daily concerts of traditional African music and dance, a mini film festival of feature and documentary films, and art and photo exhibitions introducing visitors to contemporary African art. From May 24 to 26, a fair of national crafts will open as part of the festival, and from May 26 to 28, everyone can visit special workshops and learn to dance and play national musical instruments there. //www.afro-pfingsten.ch