In April, all Romans celebrate the birthday of their city
AUSTRIA
Snowbombing Festival, until April 4, Mayrhofen. Once again, Snowbombing - a festival of music and snowboarding - will take place in the Alps, entertaining skiing enthusiasts for a week not only with snowboard shows but also with all kinds of parties featuring DJs. This year, the main star of the festival will be Fatboy Slim. In addition, performances are expected from Grandmaster Flash, Mylo, Dizzee Rascal, the View, London Elektricity, and others. The festival always attracts the attention of leading TV channels such as MTV Europe, BBC 1, and Eurosport. //www.snowbombing.com
Easter Festival, April 4–13, Salzburg. In 1967, Herbert von Karajan first held the Easter Festival in Salzburg, which immediately became one of the most elite events in the world's musical life. After Karajan's death, the festival was directed by Kurt Masur, Bernard Haitink, Georg Solti, and Claudio Abbado. The current director is the chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle. Each year, the program includes an opera from the world's musical heritage. This year, Simon Rattle continues the Wagner cycle begun in 2007 with the opera "Siegfried," the third of the tetralogy "The Ring of the Nibelung."
In the festival program "Contrapunt," modern music is usually performed, but this year the program is called "Schumann and..." and offers the public works by Robert Schumann himself and his contemporaries Johannes Brahms, Antonín Dvořák, as well as contemporary composers Henri Dutilleux, Bernd Alois Zimmermann, and Wolfgang Rihm. //www.osterfestspiele-salzburg.at
BELGIUM
ArtBrussels Exhibition, April 24–27, Brussels. Every year, up to 30,000 collectors, professionals, and amateurs come to Brussels to admire the most current works of art presented by 168 galleries from around the world. ArtBrussels has been held regularly since 1968 and is a debut stage for many young European artists. The Brussels city authorities cooperate with the exhibition annually, resulting in many interesting objects appearing on the city streets. ArtBrussels opening hours are from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. //www.artbrussels.be/
GREAT BRITAIN
England, Marathon, April 26, London. In 1979, Chris Brasher, Olympic champion runner and well-known sports journalist, wrote a heartfelt article for The Observer about the New York Marathon, in which he participated. Two years later, Brasher organized his own marathon, the London Marathon. Today it is one of the largest marathons in the world: the running route covers the entire city, and accompanying events keep even those who are not particularly fond of sports from getting bored. In addition, more than a hundred famous guests participate in the event each year (a list can be found on the marathon website). //www.london-marathon.co.uk/
Scotland, Science Festival, April 4–18, Edinburgh. Since 1987, the largest science festival in Europe has been held in Edinburgh. The themes of the 2009 festival are the International Year of Astronomy and the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Darwin. The latter event will be marked by debates on ideology, God, Darwin, and their complex relationships.
The highlight of the program will be a demonstration of Asimo. According to Asimo's creators at Honda, it is the most advanced humanoid robot in the world. You can meet it on April 4–5. The organizers promise that every visitor to the University of Edinburgh and the City Art Centre, where the festival will take place, will find an activity to their liking. Children will be especially interested in the Lego Mindstorm workshop, where they can program a robot themselves and make it go through certain tests and complete tasks. For adult visitors, there are practical seminars – from exploring the question of whether ghosts exist to examining an Egyptian mummy. //www.sciencefestival.co.uk
HUNGARY
Titanic International Film Festival, until April 5, Budapest. At the festival, taking place in four cinemas in the city, about 50 films of various genres can be seen – from black comedy to documentaries. Initially, the festival was held without a competition, but for several years now the winning director has received a prize of €8,000. Titanic works closely with the National Film Archive of Hungary, thanks to which thematic programs and retrospectives that are usually unavailable to the average viewer can be seen here. //www.titanicfilmfest.hu/2009
GERMANY
Spring Festivals, all April, German cities. In April, small "Spring Festivals" (Fruhlingsfeste) dedicated to Easter will take place in all German cities. They will be accompanied by markets, rides, open-air music concerts, and flea markets. For children, open workshops are often organized where they can learn to make small gifts by hand, and adults will enjoy gathering in the evening around the traditional Easter bonfire.
45th Spring Festival, April 17 – May 3, Munich. This is a family celebration that Munich residents themselves call the "little sister of Oktoberfest." At Theresienwiese (Theresa's Meadow), guests are treated to an extensive program designed not least for children. Two Wednesdays, April 22 and 29, are specifically intended for large groups: reduced prices for all family members from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. On Fridays, fireworks will be set off in the southern part of the meadow, which can be enjoyed from anywhere on Theresienwiese. And on the first Sunday of the festival, April 18, all lovers of antiques should definitely visit the huge flea market. //www.muenchen.de/
NETHERLANDS
25th Fantastic Film Festival, April 15–29, Amsterdam. Actually, besides science fiction, the festival regularly features several other audience-favorite genres: horror films, psychological thrillers, anime, fantasy. It all started in 1984 with a short 'Horror Weekend,' which over time grew into an 'adult' festival. Travelers with children should know that from April 18 to 26, the Amsterdam Film Museum will host screenings of fantastic films for children as part of the festival. //www.imaginefilmfestival.nl
SPAIN
Semana Santa, April 6–12, Seville. Semana Santa is one of the most important holidays in the Spanish calendar. It gets its name from Holy Week, during which it takes place. 55 church brotherhoods of Seville participate in processions that go through the entire city during Holy Week. The processions are usually accompanied by live music, but there are exceptions like El Silencio, which, as its name suggests, marches in complete silence. Not only people participate in the processions, but also 'imagines' – figures of Jesus, the weeping Mary, and other characters from the Passion of Christ. Semana Santa is not only a religious holiday but also a testament to the arrival of spring in the city: the end of Holy Week opens the bullfighting season. //www.semana-santa.org/
April Fair, April 28 – May 3, Seville. The Seville Fair, taking place two weeks after Semana Santa, was invented in 1846 by two businessmen, a Basque and a Catalan. Their main goal was to improve their business, but it so happened that the fair took root, became almost one of Seville's traditions, and attracts many tourists.
Fair guests can expect parades of decorated horses and carriages led by locals in traditional peasant costumes, as well as a wonderful opportunity to admire flamenco dresses that local beauties wear for the fair. On the last day, there will be a bullfight of the Miura breed, famous for its particular ferocity. //www.turismo.sevilla.org, //www.sol.com
ITALY
City Birthday, April 16–21, Rome. In April, all Romans celebrate the birthday of their city, which, according to legend, was founded by Romulus on the 21st of 753 BC. The Capitoline Hill will be the center of events, the Aventine Hill will be decorated with candles, and a lavish fireworks display will be set off over the Tiber. On the opening day of the festivities, there will be the traditional Dea Roma contest, in which the next Goddess of Rome will be chosen (the winner will later participate in the final parade). Anyone can participate for free, but contestants must compete with the statue of the goddess Minerva sitting in a fountain at the foot of Palazzo Senatorio on the Capitoline.
On April 19, on Via dei Fori Imperiali, there will be a parade and gladiator shows, and traditional Roman feasts will be held there. All archaeological sites and museums in Rome can be visited for free these days. //www.gsr-roma.com/
MALTA
Medieval Festival, April 18–19, Mdina. Festival guests can attend a knight tournament, participate in chess matches as chess pieces, interact with artists and craftsmen, try traditional medieval dishes and wash them down with beer and wine. For those who want more, there are exhibitions, lectures, and tours of medieval Mdina. //www.visitmalta.com/
FINLAND
April Jazz, April 22–26, Espoo. In the town of Espoo, another jazz festival will take place. This year it will be opened by the queen of soul Angie Stone and closed by the brilliant Al Jarreau. If these names are not enough to make you start packing for Finland, then perhaps you'll be delighted by: performer of authentic fado Ana Moura from Portugal, exotic Malian of royal blood Salif Keita, who is called the African Caruso, as well as multi-instrumentalist Marilyn Mazur, who played with Miles Davis, French improv pianist Andy Emler, and many other worthy performers. //www.apriljazz.fi
FRANCE
Hip-Hop Festival, April 1–5, Lyon. A real hip-hop festival, as the organizers themselves call it, attracts even world stars from the USA, such as Public Enemy, whom you can meet from April 1 to 5 at venues across Lyon. This year's guests include Americans Ice Cube, EPMD, Cunnylinguists, Germans Puppetmastaz, and French stars. After the concerts, many clubs host parties and afterparties. The festival's central hub will be the popular club La Marquise. //www.loriginal-festival.com/
CROATIA
Water Show, until April 5, Split. This spring, Split will host the 11th Water Festival, which will gather over 50,000 visitors. Right opposite the ancient Diocletian's Palace, visitors will be treated to the latest models of yachts, equipment and accessories. The festival program includes hedonistic club parties with music, lectures on new technologies in the navigation industry, as well as nominations for the 'Croatian Water Show' prize, a final parade of winners, and fireworks. //www.croatiaboatshow.com
SWEDEN
Antique Fair, April 2–5, Stockholm. The most popular event among antiques dealers in Northern Europe this year will be held under the motto 'This is your home – let it reflect your individuality.' If you want to see the authentic style of the homeland of IKEA stores, then this is the place for you.
The fair covers the last three centuries, from the classic Gustavian style of the 18th century, named after Swedish King Gustav III, to the currently fashionable Scandinavian interior of the 20th century. The 19th century is represented by furniture in the style of Karl Johan – the Swedish version of the French Empire style. As part of the fair, visitors can expect three exhibition events: "Vintage Interior and Fashion" (organized by the executive director of the Swedish Fashion Council, Lotta Alvar), "Antique & Modern-2009" (works by Charlotte Pettersson and Caroline Carlsson for the leading Swedish interior design magazine), and "Table!" (an exciting journey through time with such a familiar interior item as the table). //www.stockholmsmassan.se
SWITZERLAND
Tulip Festival, until May 10, Morges. Since 1971, the Swiss town of Morges on the shores of Lake Geneva has welcomed spring with the traditional tulip festival in Independence Park. Over 100,000 April tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths will bloom under trees, some of which are over a hundred years old. You can enjoy all this beauty completely free of charge. Side entertainment includes weekend music concerts, a "ceramic weekend" with 80 potters, tulip bulb sales, and an Easter egg hunt for children. //www.morges.ch