Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

In the diary

This month you’re spoilt for choice, with events celebrating food, history, music and world cultures happening all over Europe

6-30 Lyon Biennalede la Danse de Lyon

Held at various venues in and around the city, Lyon’s dance biennial adopts Retour en Avant (Past Forward) as the theme for its 25th anniversary celebrations. As such, you should expect some groundbreaking premieres mixed with a healthy respect for what’s gone before.

Tero Saarinen’s re-interpretation of Carolyn Carlson’s mythical solo Blue Lady is a case in point. www.biennale-de-lyon.org

5-21 Copenhagen Golden Days

Each year, the Golden Days festival recreates an era from Copenhagen’s rich past. In 2008, the focus will be on the inter-war years. Silent movies, swing concerts and museum exhibitions will capture the spirit of Copenhagen’s roaring 20s and crisis-ridden 30s. www.goldendays.dk

11-21 Naples Pizzafest

Now considered a major food group in cities from New York to Newcastle, the much-loved pizza was first enjoyed in 19th-century Naples. Neopolitans like to celebrate this fact once a year by, well, making and eating vast quantities of the stuff! Another slice, please… www.pizzafest.info

12 - Madrid Weekend Dance

Dance heavyweights Groove Armada, The Prodigy and Fatboy Slim (above) hit the Auditorio Juan Carlos I for a furious mash-up of big beats and booming basslines. And you can catch the same line-up at Barcelona’s Parc del Fòrum the next day. www.weekendance.es

12-30 (to 1 October) Prague Autumn Festival

Now in its 17th year, this festival showcases works by Czech and international composers and features performers from around the world. Among the star attractions for 2008 is the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and its brilliant young conductor Vasily Petrenko. www.pragueautumn.cz

12-14 Hamburg Festival of Cultures

This year’s carnival theme is Living Together, and with over 450 musicians representing 80 nations, it’s easy to see why. But it’s not just about music and dance. Featuring world film, literature, art, poetry and crafts, it’s a feast for all the senses. www.karneval-kulturen-hamburg.de

12-14 Birmingham Artsfest

For one weekend each year, Birmingham comes together for a celebration of the arts. With hundreds of events across the city, it’s the biggest free cultural festival in the UK. One highlight is sure to be an ensemble of 500 Dohl drummers amassed in Victoria Square. www.artsfest.org.uk

18-28 Helsinki International Film Festival

Operating under its Love and Anarchy banner, the Helsinki Festival has never shied away from showing inventive and controversial films. This year is no exception. Look out for Rajnesh Domalpalli’s Vanaja, Finnish film Sauna (Filth) and Cannes Palm D’Or winner Entre les Murs (The Class). www.hiff.fi

21 Berlin The Legend of Ben Hur

Travel back in time to the Romans in Karlshorst. Check out the gladiators, the spear throwing and the pony rides, then join the crowd in the arena for the Great Chariot Race. Thirty competitors thunder round the track on four-horse chariots, vying to be crowned champion. www.wagenrennen.com

27 London The Great Gorilla Run

Despite the tomfoolery, there’s a serious side to this 7km race. There will be 720 gorilla-suited runners – one for every surviving mountain gorilla – and all money raised goes to The Gorilla Organisation’s conservation, education and development projects in Africa. www.greatgorillas.org

Book your tickets for…

7-25 October Newcastle The Merchant of Venice Theatre Royal (www.rsc.org.uk) ++ 20-26 October Lyon Grand Prix de Tennis Palais des Sports de Gerland (www.gptennislyon.com) ++ 1 October Madrid REM Plaza de Toros de las Ventas (remhq.com) ++ 10-12 October Oslo Horse Show Oslo Spektrum (www.oslohorseshow.com)

 

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