main events of February - the Olympics in Vancouver, the New Year in China and the carnivals in Venice and Rio de Janeiro. However, if one of these holidays you will not be, should not be upset in the world there are many more interesting things: balls in Vienna film festivals in Berlin and Sydney, flower parade in Thailand, holiday wine in New Zealand and much more.

Australia

Tropfest, Sydney, 21 February
Tropfest - a film festival in the open air, where viewers can come for free. For the selection of films the organizers selected four criteria: the movies should be made especially for this festival, they should be premier, they should focus on a particular topic, which changes every year, the duration thereof shall be not more than seven minutes. All festival events are held at the Royal Botanical Gardens, where you can not just watch a movie, but to dance to the music of DJs and a picnic.
Details:
tropfest/

Austria

Bala, 11, 13 February, Vienna
Balls in February - the traditional Viennese entertainment. Two of the most important of the ball will be held at the Vienna Opera (February 11) and Kursalone (February 13). Incidentally, at the ball in the opera can not just waltz, but swing dancing, foxtrot, and even disco. In the famous Kursalone, beautiful building era of historicism, the guests in addition to classical waltzes, mandatory program of any of the ball, waiting for dance music 70-90-ies, midnight quadrille, dance performances and master classes.
To get to the ball, you need to advance apply. Tickets for the ball in Kursalone - from 27 to 125 euros, at the Vienna Opera - 270 euros. Of course, even there, and there needed to comply with dress code. In addition, you can save and not to go to the balls themselves, and at their rehearsals. For example, a ticket to a rehearsal of the opera, scheduled for February 10, will cost from 15 to 40 euros.

Details:
Ball at the Vienna Opera
phone +43 (0) 1513 1513
wiener-staatsoper.at
Ball in Kursalone
phone +43 (0) 1 512 57 90
kursalonwien.at

Brazil

Carnival, February 13-16, Rio de Janeiro ^ ^ ^
Carnival starts on Saturday and will last until the Fat Shrove Tuesday (or Mardi Gras). During the carnival in Rio is a lot of costume balls. the most famous of which - a ball at Copacabana Palace. Another important event is a carnival - it's Samba Parade. It was first initiated in 1930, during the heyday of the carnival, and now at the center of the city for him there is a special area called Sambadrom. The parade is broadcast in dozens of countries, and get on it can be only by ticket. But the street processions that accompany karnval, absolutely free.
Details:
rio-carnival/


Germany

the 60 th International Film Festival Berlinale, 11 -21 February, Berlin
In the main competition this year involved 26 films from Argentina, Japan, France, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Britain, Russia, USA and Sweden. Norway and China. The festival opens «Tuan Yuan» Wang Kuan, and closes the film Yoji Yamada «Otouto». Russia in festival presents Alexei Popogrebsky with the movie "How I spent this summer." On the occasion of the Berlinale Retrospective round date this year is devoted to the history of the festival. To display the movies will be chosen in different years, participated in four major sections of the festival: "Panorama", the main competition, "the Forum" and the section "Generation».
Details:
berlinale.de/en/HomePage.html

Pancake carnival bell-ringers, February 11, Mittenwald
in the Bavarian town of Mittenwald, where the eponymous ski resort in February is Pancake carnival. In the pedestrian zone in downtown crowds dressed in traditional Bavarian costumes men with big bells, like those that hang on the cow's neck and begins to dance and drive the continuous ringing of the winter.
Details:
mittenwald.de/


Egypt

Festival of the Sun, February 22, Abu Simbel
During the festival, crowds of visitors going to the temple to see the miracle - interior lighting temple, which can be seen only twice a year, in February and October. Ramses II planned to build a temple so that twice a year on the anniversary of his accession to the throne and on his birthday, the temple magically illuminated from within by the rising sun. The only figure remaining in the shadows during this wonderful lighting - a statue of the god Ptah, to whom it should remain in the background (he is a god of dusk). Since the Aswan Dam was built, the Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel had to move a little, in view of which the light effect, conceived by the pharaoh and his architects are now watching for one day later than originally planned.

International Competition for the fishermen, February 1-4, Hurghada
The main task of the participants - an impressive haul. In fact, to get it, all comers have 3 days, and on the fourth day of the judge compared the catch and pick the winner. In February, the same 21 to 28, in El Gouna will be sports competitions on trawl fishing, which are organized by the same international federation of sport fishing, and that competition in Hurghada.
Details:
Phone: 20-2-5750626/
5750496 Fax: 20-2-5746781
e-mail: info @ egaf
egaf/

India

Festival on the island of Elephanta, 15 - February 16
event is dedicated to classical Indian dance, and goes into the caves of Elephanta near Mumbai. Guests have the opportunity to see the famous monument of architecture and sculpture in a good light, as is usually the cave at sunset have been closed to the public, to try local cuisine and learn about traditional Indian dance.
Details:
Phone: +91 (0) 22 2202 6364
maharashtratourism.gov.in

Indonesia

Prambanan Temple, 2-4-6-9-11-13-16-18-20-23-25 -27 February, Yogyakarta
Dance dramatization of the ancient Indian epic Ramayana takes place in the temple complex of Prambanan three times a week from 7.30 am to 10 pm. Scenery dancing is the most enormous complex Java included in the lists of world heritage sites by UNESCO. The main characters - Shiva, Goddess Durga and God with an elephant head, Ganesha, the son of Shiva. All the events described in Ramayana can be seen not only in dance but also relieves a huge tower-prang owned complex of the temple of Shiva. The dance involves about 200 dressed in bright clothes actors. The play is divided into four scenes: the abduction of Shinto, the mission of Hanuman, the death Kumbokarno and test the purity Shinto.
To enjoy not just a dance, it's better to come to the temple complex early, before they sit the sun. In this case you will have the opportunity to explore this huge architectural body consisting of 240 Hindu temples.
Details:
Phone: +62 (0) 274 589 350
Fax: +62 (0) 274 564 402
borobudurpark.co.id/en-show2.html

Italy

Be netsiansky carnival, 6 -16 February, Venice
The first day of the carnival can pay a visit to the Hotel Danieli, hire some beautiful costume and enjoy the chocolate - from 16.00 there begins the evening called "Hot chocolate is in costume." In a few palazzi and the Grand Canal place balls in the evening at 21.00 in Piazza San Marco will be the opening ceremony of the carnival. As part of the ceremony will show the performance of "Arlecchino - Servant of Two Masters" with the legendary "Harlequin" Feruchcho Saler. Carnival also completed on the main square in the Shrove Tuesday. A list of other events is available on the official site of the carnival.
Details:
carnevale.venezia.it/

Canada

Winter Olympics, 12-28 February, Vancouver
charms games this year are three characters - Sumi, Miga and Kvatchi. All of them together and have real prototypes in the Canadian fauna, and mythological roots. Kvatchi, for example, most like a snowman. Among the traditional sports on the Olympic Games in Vancouver are Alpine skiing, biathlon, bobsled, curling, freestyle skiing, figure skating, hockey, snowboarding, ski jumping competitions and skaters. Most of the tickets for Olympic events worth $ 25, the most expensive tickets - at the opening and closing ceremonies.
Details:
vancouver2010/

China

New Year February 14, Beijing, Shanghai and other cities
Chinese New Year can be celebrated, not only in China itself, but wherever there are Chinese diaspora, and they are available almost everywhere. Preparations for the New Year begins about a month that reminds bustle in European cities during Advent: all decorate the house in red and gold and hung on the door with the wishes of the scrolls. In celebration taken to gather around the family dinner, and then arrange the famous fireworks entertainment. New Year's spectacle is accompanied by street rallies and vintage dance.


Morocco

Festival flowering almond tree, Tafraoute, February
Almond Capital of Morocco Tafraoute blooms in February, in all senses of the word. During the festival the streets are decorated not only the flowering trees, but also musicians, storytellers, dancers and street performers. Tafraoute located near the popular resort of Agadir, so if you get tired of lying on the beach, you can make a small sortie into the depths of the continent.
Details:
Phone: +212 (0) 537 67 40 13/39 18
e -mail: contact@onmt.ma

New Zealand

Wine Festival, February 12-14, Marlborough
New Zealand town of Marlborough invites guests to taste the local wine and culinary delights under the pleasant live music. As a rule, participate in tastings around fifty local wineries. The main cultivated variety here - Sauvignon Blanc. Special guests of the festival this year will be musicians, Liam Finn, Pearl Jam, Gin, Ladi6 and The New Entrants. In the entertaining program of the festival provided a small cruise boat, a bus tour around Marlborough and tasting local seafood delicacies.
Details:
Phone: 03 577 9299
e-mail: admin@wine-marlborough.co.nz
wine-marlborough-festival.co.nz/

UAE

International Jazz Festival, 10-19 February, Dubai
The main directions of Dubai Festival is not only jazz but also blues, pop, soul and even R & B. Among the guests this year announced U-NAM, Charbel Rouhana, James Taylor Quartet, The Brand New Heavens, Attila Molnar, Jane Monheit, Tizer, David Gray, Marion Meadows, Laura Izibor, Brett Dennen, James Morrison.
Details:
Phone: +971 4 3911196
e-mail: info @ chilloutproductions
dubaijazzfest/

U.S.

Groundhog Day, February 2, Panksvatoni and other City
Most Significant Festival USA February - Groundhog Day. Every year on February 2 Groundhog removed from the hole, to determine quickly whether the spring comes. If the groundhog sees its shadow, you must wait six more weeks of winter, if not, should be early spring. Groundhog Day is celebrated everywhere, but the most famous groundhog Phil lives in Panksutoni (Pennsylvania). It annually brings together tens of thousands of visitors who were entertained fairs, excursions, local delicacies and even "Surkov 'ceremony, carried out by the mayor in the presence of members of the Groundhog Club. By the way, if you were born on February 2, the entrance to all events for you free of charge.
Details:
groundhog/

Thailand

Flower Festival, 5-7 February, Chiang Mai
During the festival, master spread through the whole flower reliefs, statues of gods, scenes from the Ramayana, animal figures, and then sneaked them across the city during the festive procession. Nowhere else will you see at the same time more than 3000 varieties of orchids, Damascus rose, white and yellow chrysanthemums, and more. The festival is accompanied by parades and theatrical performances.
Details:
tourismthailand/festival-event/

Japan

Snow Festival February 5-11, Sapporo
In 1950, the company has made several student ice sculptures in the park Osorio. Since then, according to organizers, the festival grew like a snowball and eventually turned into a serious competition, in which representatives of many countries. This year will arrive in Sapporo masters from China, Finland, Hong Kong, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, the Netherlands and the United States. Look at the festival will be not only the usual ice sculptures, but also, for example, the sculpture display cases with frozen in it representatives of marine fauna. Snow and ice to bring artists and harvested in January, from surrounding areas. Last year the festival came about 2 million visitors. If guests park Osorio hungry for fresh winter air, then they can buy a sweet hot chicken or other exotic local dishes.
Details:
snowfes/english/

TEXT: Fedor Wynter Tarasevich
PHOTO: Reuters