Cross the Atlantic this summer for a wide of array of festivals celebrating culture, folklore, food, history and fun.
14th Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival -- Aspendos, Turkey -- June 6 to July 16, 2007
There is nothing more spectacular than watching ballet or opera in a stunning historical setting -- especially when that location is the 2nd century AD Roman Amphitheatre in Aspendos, southern Turkey. Imagine a warm summer's night, surrounded by Roman arches and columns overlooking the Mediterranean with a magical atmosphere. During June and July, 2007, the Turkish Culture Ministry's State Opera and Ballet Directorate will put on 11 performances and even if ballet and opera aren't exactly your thing, the experience itself will be more than memorable. The amphitheatre is remarkably well preserved but by day in summer, visiting is a rather tiring exercise in the heat -- by night it will be perfect. The program includes Mario Frangoulis' Gala Concert (June 7), Verdi's Nabucco (June 12), Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake (June 16), Bizet's Carmen (June 19), Fazil Say Piano Concert (June 22), Orff's Carmina Burana (June 26), Hacaturian's Spartacus (June 30), Alkan and Aksular's Istanbul Ballet (July 4) , Atilla's Oratio Mevlana (July 7), Puccini's Tosca (July 11) and Verdi's La Traviata (July 16). Aspendos is a half-hour drive from Antalya so it is relatively accessible, especially if you are vacationing on the Mediterranean coastline. In terms of access to tickets, although there would likely be tickets available upon arrival, we suggest that you contact the Turkish Ministry of Culture (+ 90/312-309-0850; email: kultur@kultur.gov.tr) to secure them in advance or visit www.discoverturkey.com/english/main-e.html
Aspendos event listing on Frommers.com Events
Luminara di San Ranieri, La Regata & Il Gioco del Ponte -- Pisa, Italy -- June 16 to 24 2007
The average visitor to Pisa visits the tower and the surrounding Campo dei Miracoli and then leaves -- but mid to late June is a spectacular time to visit Pisa and maybe stay a while. Visit on June 16 for the illumination of the city with tens of thousands of candles set up on buildings, bridges and towers along the Arno River in celebration of the city's patron saint San Ranieri. The illumination tradition dates back to the 17th century and is a visually stunning way to see the city. At midnight there is a huge fireworks display -- but save you energy for the following day which sees the Arno River play host to a historical boat race -- "La Regata di San Ranieri" where each quarter of the city is represented. Thousands of spectators line the shores of the river to cheer on their team. If you want to remain longer in Pisa -- or come back on June 24, you will get to experience the medieval "Il Gioco del Ponte" or Bridge Game which sees opposing sides of the Arno battle for supremacy -- generally six teams of 20 pushing wooden ram across the bridge (Ponte di Mezzo) onto the opponent's bank. The games are preceded by a parade to the bridge, with characters dressed in historic costume.
Liminara di San Ranieri event listing on Frommers.com Events
Running of the Nudes -- Pamplona, Spain -- July 5, 2007
Pamplona is synonymous with its annual Running of the Bulls that sees thousands of delusional locals and tourists taking to the narrow streets of the town to take part in a historic yet dangerous, and many would say cruel event. The cruelty is more geared toward the bulls themselves who often suffer and get injured during the running and more obviously at the bull fights that take place subsequently. Ernest Hemingway is largely responsible for immortalizing and glamorizing the bizarre annual occurrence. As an effective form of public protest, PETA devised a re-enactment of sorts, whereby upwards of a thousand peaceful animal activists and those who aren't shy about their bodies, run through the streets totally nude (save for a red scarf and sometimes horns on their heads) as a public and very clever way of protesting the concept of bull fighting. Now in its sixth year, the Running of the Nudes attracts a variety of participants and spectators and if taking your clothes off for a cause is the only way to make an international statement, then this event is certainly successful. If catch phrases like "Goring is Boring" entice you, you can register on the website at www.runningofthenudes.com. The site takes on an almost "dating website" feel with profiles of attractive fellow runners and photos that edit out the naughty bits. The actual bull running events start two days later if you are into that kind of thing.
Running of the Nudes event listing on Frommers.com Events
12th International Wife Carrying World Championship -- Sonkajärvi, Finland -- July 6 to 8, 2007
How do you get an otherwise small Finnish town (population of 5,000) on the international events radar? Introduce a quirky annual event like the Wife Carrying Championship and encourage testosterone laden men from around the world to enter in the hope of winning their wife's weight in beer. And so the city of Sonkajärvi (about 250 miles from Helsinki) is now firmly entrenched on the world's "must visit" map to witness (or participate" in this event, now in its 12th year. Participants come from as far as Australia (which incidentally has its own Wife Carrying National Champions), USA, Japan and New Zealand. Lead up events include the preliminary games in Estonia on June 2 and Sweden on June 30. The length of the official track is just over 830 feet of sand, grass and asphalt with two dry obstacles and one water obstacle. The wife carried may be your own or your neighbor's and must over 17 years of age and weigh at least 108 pounds to compete (or be weighted down) -- if a contestant drops his wife, the couple will be penalized 15 seconds. The current Wife Carrying World record of 55.5 seconds is held by an Estonian couple Tallinn, Estonia. Along with the wife carrying world championships there is also a team competition with three men carrying the wife in turns. At the exchange point the carrier has to drink the official "wife carrying drink" before continuing the race. Other complementary events include karaoke, a market place, dancing and live music. Entrance is US$20 per adults and children are free. For more information about the event or to register to enter visit www.sonkajarvi.fi/?deptid=15136.
Wife Carrying event listing on Frommers.com Events
La Pourcailhade (Pig Festival) -- Trie sur Baïse, France -- August 12, 2007
Vegetarians should best avoid this festival that celebrates all things porcine -- for the most part by eating it. Trie sur Baïse is a small town of 4000, located in the Mid-Pyrenees region on France, about 75 miles from Toulouse and an hour from the border with Spain. It is also a large pig-raising area and their annual pig festival includes tastings, a pig costume competition, giant sausage making, eating contests (including black pudding), a piglet race and even a pig squealing competition. In the evening, there are performances by live bands, dancing and more eating. The event is the biggest event of its kind in France and is free to the public. It is organized by La Confrérie du Cochon, or the Brotherhood of the Pig. In general, Trie (as it is commonly known) has a varied program of events during the month of August, including classical music concerts in the 13th century monastery plus antique and night markets.
Pig Festival event listing on Frommers.com Events
Menningarnótt (Reykjavík Cultural Night) -- Reykjavík, Iceland -- August 18, 2007
With the midnight sun keeping things bright and sunny for almost 24 hours a day, Iceland's capital Reykjavík celebrates the summer and its cultural richness with a night of events, activities and a carnival-like atmosphere including concerts, street fairs, food tastings, parades, people marching in Viking costumes, fireworks over the harbor and performances. The population and visitors take to the streets, where restaurants, shops, cultural institutions and even the public swimming pool stay open all night. This is the Cultural Night's 12th year and the Reykjavík Marathon is held on the same day, so unless you've competed and are recovering, there's no excuse not to be out partying all night. Considering the event attracts over 100,000 people and the entire population of Iceland is a little over 300,000 people, this is a highly popular night on the Icelandic calendar. Although a formal program of activities has yet to be posted, for more information, visit the city's website at www.visitreykjavik.is or its English language newspaper www.grapevine.is.
Cultural Night event listing on Frommers.com Events
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