Posted by Jackie Hewett on Wed 13th August 2008 at 01:27 PM, Filed in Europe, August
Everyone should visit the Edinburgh Festival at least once in their lifetime! I went in my 20’s with a friend, we were pretty broke but still found heaps to do.
In 2008 the festival is going on from 8th to 31st August and there will be events to suit all tastes and pockets including:
• Classical Music
• Opera
• Ballet
• Music - Jazz,
• Theatre
• Fringe
• Street entertainment / buskers
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Sat 9th August 2008 at 01:34 AM, Filed in Europe, August
This event (‘Malmofestivalen’ in Swedish) takes place in the second half of August and is the biggest annual event in Malmo’s calendar, if not southern Sweden. Admission is free and there are many concerts (pop / rock / heavy metal / jazz and more) and musical performances to choose from in addition to an amusement park, art displays, crafts, sporting events and of course plenty of opportunities to sample traditional Swedish and worldwide food. In fact the festival kicks off with an infamous crayfish party at Stortorget. Not only will you be able to eat plenty of the tasty crustaceans, but you will be able to buy crayfish decorated bibs, plates, hats, tablecloths and many other items you didn’t know you needed (or probably didn’t)!!
In 2008 the festival is running from 15th to 22nd August and usually some 1.5 million people attend. There will be many outdoor stages and music marquees and hundreds of food stalls right in the middle of the historic town centre. Malmo has a huge main square where much of the festival is centred. The festival ends with a great firework display too.
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Sun 20th July 2008 at 03:58 PM, Filed in Europe, July
This festival could be called ‘son of the Burning Man’ as it adheres to the same principles (see Burning Man Article) – nothing is for sale there (‘no commerce’ – although bartering is encouraged), you have to bring your own food, drink etc (radical self reliance) and leave no trace of your camp (you have responsibility for taking away your own rubbish). It is held in a Northern Spanish dessert / windy mountainside early in July so be prepared for a fairly hostile environment – temperatures of 30C plus are common and 48% humidity.
Camp
Participants are encouraged, even expected to bring their own art installations and join in the ‘radical self expression’. Mere spectating is discouraged. However, participation comes in many forms, you could provide the gift of manicures or massage, even singing or other performances would count. If you don’t feel you have any such skills to contribute you could offer help in the set up and / or clearing away of camp.
Nowhere participant
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Tue 8th July 2008 at 01:42 AM, Filed in Europe, July
14th July is the closest thing the French have to an independence day. It is designated as a French national holiday and commemorates the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille when France did away with their Monarchy and made the first moves towards becoming a republic.
Whilst events take place all over France, Paris is the place to be. There is a huge military parade in the Champs Elysee led by army cadets and the fire service get the biggest cheers. The red arrows put on a display to accompany the parade between the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde. Large firework displays are staged. A chosen few will attend a garden party at the Palais de l’Elysee held by the elected president.
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Fri 4th July 2008 at 01:04 AM, Filed in Europe, July
From the 14th July 2008 the visually stunning 11th annual World Body Painting Festival will start in Seeboden, Austria, and run for a week.
One of the headline events is the 'BodyCircus' fantasy ball which will take place on 16th July at the medieval castle Sommeregg. Visitors wear fantasy costumes combined with amasing body paint and masks, but there are only 600 tickets available for visitors. Tickets are 22 euros on the door (if you can get in) or 15 euros if bought in advance. Thereafter the festival starts in earnest when artists display their creations from 11.00am onwards in the public park to be judged by a panel for the World Bodypainting Awards in different categories. Over 40 countries compete for awards.
The best thing is to let some of the photo's 'speak' for themselves.
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