Outdoor festivals are the order of the day, offering great bands in Barcelona, fireworks in Krakow and theatre in Athens
21
Krakow
Wianki
Grafted on to an ancient pagan rite, Wianki – the Floating of the Wreaths at Vistula embankment – manages to fuse a quaint local festival with more contemporary draws. This year the usual annual fireworks and competition for the most beautiful wreath will run alongside a Jamiroquai concert. www.biurofestiwalowe.pl
1 (Until 31 July)
Athens
Hellenic Festival
High point of the Athenian cultural calendar, this festival is packed with theatre, music, ballet and traditional Greek dance. Highlights in early June include the Greek National Opera’s Turandot, the Theatre in a Caravan and Dimitris Dimitriadis’s play I’m Dying Like a Country. www.greekfestival.gr
1-22
Brussels
Mutiple Choice
This exhibition marks the advent of MoBa Gallery’s new space NOMAD, dedicated to contemporary African art, and features the work of some of South Africa’s most important artists. Look out for pieces by luminaries such as William Kentridge, Kay Hassan and Norman Catherine. www.moba.be
6-15
Lisbon
Festoria
Now in its 24th year, this international film festival is fast approaching venerable status. Staged at Setúbal, about 50km south of Lisbon, this year’s programme includes an homage to Polish cinema and a section specially dedicated to examining our impact on the environment. www.festroia.pt
7-8
Bristol
Festival of Nature
Families should visit Harbourside’s celebration of the natural world. Kids will love the hands-on activities while parents can try workshops and buy eco-friendly products. Tooth and Claw, a talk by wildlife photographer Peter Cairns, addresses our ambivalent attitude to predators. www.festivalofnature.org
7-8
Munich
Street Life Festival
Munich holds several Strassenfeste (street festivals) a year, which see roads closed to cars, lined with stalls and full of people. June’s event is one of the year’s biggest and best, packed as it is with parades, presentations on sustainable living and street performances. www.streetlife-festival.de
12
Barcelona
Daydream Festival
Staged in the Parc del Fòrum, Daydream’s inaugural event boasts a stellar line-up. Big-name acts appearing include Radiohead (pictured) – if you’re a fan, get your ticket quickly as it’s the only Spanish date they’re doing this summer – and Bat for Lashes. www.daydream-festival.es
13
Helsinki
Kylie Minogue
The diminutive Princess of Pop pitches up in Helsinki’s Hartwall Areena as part of her KYLIEX2008 tour this June. She’s called the tour the “biggest of her career” and, with a set list that includes plenty of old faves as well as new stuff, it’s her most hotly anticipated, too. www.hartwall-areena.com
13-20
Ljubljana
Live Literature Festival
Ljubljana’s annual literary festival showcases the work of both national and international writers, with readings by authors and actors, but also features local musicians on the programme. Unusually, it is held on the street outside the Skuc Gallery. www.ljubljana-tourism.si
20 (Until 14 September)
Brussels
It’s Not Only Rock ’n’ Roll, Baby!
Rock stars like Pete Doherty, Brian Eno, Patti Smith and Miss Kittin will be flaunting their sensitive side this summer at Brussels’ Centre for Fine Arts, which is staging an exhibition of their visual work. And here was us thinking they were only good for trashing hotel rooms… www.bozar.be
Book your plane tickets for…
4-19 July Geneva Montreux Jazz Festival Music & Convention Centre, Montreux (www.montreuxjazz.com) ++ 5 July Milan La Notte Rosa Italian Riviera around Rimini (www.lanotterosa.it) ++ 10-20 July Ghent Ghent Jazz Festival (www.gentjazz.com) ++ 17-20 July Valencia Benicassim Festival El Recinto de Conciertos, Castellón (www.benicassimfestival.co.uk) ++ 19-20 July London Lovebox Victoria Park, Hackney, pictured (lovebox.net)
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