CULTURE CALENDAR

From St. Moritz to Berlin, from fantastic dance events to glamorous film festivals – February promises to be a busy month. Whether you are a film buff, foodie or avid traveller, this line up of events has got you covered.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE

Photo: Pixabay

St Moritz Gourmet Festival 2020. Photo: PPR / Witwinkel / David Hubacher

ST. MORITZ GOURMET FESTIVAL (28 JANUARY – 5 FEBRUARY)

For over 25 years, the St. Moritz Gourmet Festival has been bringing top chefs and kitchen icons together to present culinary delights from around the world. Guests can look forward to nine days of exciting new dishes which follow and interpret this year’s motto “Swiss Made”. www.stmoritz-gourmetfestival.ch

WHITE TURF – INTERNATIONAL HORSE RACES, ST. MORITZ (5, 12 AND 19 FEBRUARY)

This is the perfect event for any horse-racing enthusiast and certainly no small affair. Held in the legendary ski paradise of St. Moritz, the spectacular White Turf event features world-class horse-racing, gourmet food, music and much, much more. Enjoy a glass of bubbly in front of the glistening frozen lake while watching the beautiful horses compete. www.whiteturf.ch

BERLIN INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 10 – 16 FEBRUARY)

The undisputed home for top filmmakers working with limited budgets returns for another exciting edition. Once again, BIFF will be held at Berlin’s favourite independent cinema, the Babylon, where it celebrates outstanding works by emerging talent – and often tomorrow’s Academy Award winners – from across the world. www.berlinfest.com

Accordion Festival 2022, Christian Bakanic. Photo: Andrej Grilc

White Turf St. Moritz, 2020. Photo: swiss-image.ch/Andy Mettler

72ND BERLINALE – BERLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (10 – 20 FEBRUARY)

It’s that time of the year again, where the infamous Berlinale brings A-list filmmakers and actors to the German capital for a glamorous ten-day event. Think red carpets and Champagne – but also the most exciting films the international film industry has to offer. It is after all a constantly evolving festival dedicated to artistic exploration and entertainment. www.berlinale.de

F.RE.E LEISURE AND TRAVEL FAIR, MUNICH (16 – 20 FEBRUARY)

The f.re.e leisure and travel fair has it all. It showcases glamorous caravans, state-of-theart bikes and kayak equipment as well as artificial lakes and even climbing facilities. Over 50 countries are represented here each year. www.free-muenchen.de together. With dancers aged between ten and 21 years from all over the world the goal is to encourage younger generations to embrace dance as an art form. It is not only a hot spot for young dancers, but also for those supporting their journey and cheering them on. www.tanzolymp.com

BALL OF THE COFFEE BREWERS, VIENNA (18 FEBRUARY)

The ‘Kaffeesiederball’ always promises to be an unforgettable night. Just the stunning location alone, the Imperial Palace, is worth a visit. A marvellous line up of musical acts await guests at this traditional Viennese ball night. www.kaffeesiederball.at

23RD INTERNATIONAL ACCORDION FESTIVAL, VIENNA (19 FEBRUARY – 20 MARCH)

Superb accordion music comes to renowned venues across Vienna for an entire month. The 23rd International Accordion Festival in Vienna presents musicians and bands from Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, Poland and Israel, to name but a few, and showcases a mix of classical, popular and jazz music. www.akkordeonfestival.at

f.re.e 2020 - climbing wall. Photo: Messe München GmbH

TANZOLYMP – INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL, BERLIN (17 – 22 FEBRUARY)

At Tanzolymp (Dance Olympus), dance is seen as a global language that brings people

The red carpet at the premiere venue for the Berlinale. Photo: Sandra Weller © Berlinale 2015