May
A selection of interesting events across Europe in May 2008. From May Day in Paris to the Brussels Jazz Marathon.
May 2008
1 May (annual)
May Day
Place de la Bastille, Paris, France
More strictly observed by the French than Christmas or New Year, everything except the Eiffel Tower closes down for Labour day - La Fête du Travail - on 1 May.
1 - 4 May (annual)
Festival of St Ephysius
Cagliari, Italy
Thousands of pilgrims from all over the island of Sardinia, clad in authentic medieval costumes, flock towards Cagliari on 1 May
every year to celebrate the annual festival of St Ephysius.
5 May (annual)
Rhine in Flames: Night of Bengal Fire
Between Linz and Bonn, Germany
More than 2000 Bengal lights, a parade of ships and festivals in each town along the way.
Rhine in Flames website
7 - 14 May 2008 (annual)
Helsinki Contemporary Circus Festival
Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki celebrates the art of circus at this annual festival.
9 - 12 May 2008 (various dates)
Salzburg Whitsun Baroque Festival
Haus für Mozart (Kleines Festspielhaus), Salzburg, Austria
As a corollary to the main summer festival, there is a short festival over Whitsun weekend in Salzburg concentrating on baroque music.
9-25 May (annual)
Dresden Music Festival
Dresden, Germany
The largest classic festival in Germany, which takes place at over more than 30 different venues in Dresden.
Website
11 May (annual)
Sant PonçBees: a hive of activity
Calle Hospital, Madrid, Spain
On 11 May, Barcelona’s Calle Hospital is lined with stalls selling honey, herbs, candied fruit, perfume, herbal wines and other natural products as part of the celebrations.
15 May - 15 Sep; Sun only (annual)
Folk Dancing
The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, Oslo, Norway
The open-air Norwegian Museum of Cultural History shows the crowds what traditional Norwegian folk dancing is all about.
15 - 18 May (annual)
Scandinavian Furniture Fair
Bella Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
You shouldn’t leave Scandinavia without seeing some funky modern furniture.
19 - 21 May (annual)
IMS Choral Festival
New Ross, Ireland
The Association of Irish Musical Societies holds its annual choral festival in the historic, bustling town of New Ross in Ireland’s southeast corner.
21 May (annual)
St Konstantin & St Elena Day
Bulgaria
In some of the more remote hilltop villages, “fire dancing” on heated coals.
25 - 27 May (annual)
Brussels Jazz Marathon
Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, Belgium
Jazz fans can enjoy modern and trad jazz, blues and Latin, indoors and out during the annual Brussels Jazz Marathon. Local and international groups and artists fill the main squares.