Discover Southern Europe | Diary Dates
Diary Dates Our round-up of the best Southern European festivals, exhibitions, concerts and events happening in Italy, Spain, France, Portugal and Britain this month TEXT: EDDI FIEGEL
Festival de Fleuve. Photo: © Guillaume Bonnaud
The Palio of Ferrara, Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy 2 June Come summer time, Italian cities, towns and villages vie with each other to see who can hold the most splendid ‘palio’ – the centuries-old tradition of festivals built around horse races. Dating back to 1279, the Palio of Ferrara is the oldest in Italy and throughout June, you’ll find lavish parades, celebrations and races galore. www.paliodiferrara.it
Primavera Sound, Porto, Portugal 6 - 8 June Often considered the younger sister to the Barcelona indie festival of the same name,
the eclectic alternative music festival takes place in the lush setting of Portugal’s largest city park. This year’s line-up includes major names, from Jarvis Cocker, Stereolab, Erykah Badu and Neneh Cherry to younger acts both Portuguese and international. www.nosprimaverasound.com
seven million visitors expected, 25 pleasure and sightseeing boats on the waters and more than 7,000 sailors from around the world, this should be quite a party. This year, they’re also celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Allied Normandy landings during WWII. www.armada.org
Rouen Armada, Rouen, Normandy, France 6 - 16 June Every five years, the city of Rouen in Normandy holds a spectacular ‘Armada’ with 50 classic sailing ships docking in Rouen port as well as a ten-day-long party with parades, fireworks, exhibitions and activities around the quays and along the Seine. With some
An Enquiring Mind: Manolo Blahnik at the Wallace Collection, London 10 June to 1 September Featuring a personally selected choice of shoes from legendary Spanish designer and contemporary fashion icon Manolo Blahnik’s private archives, the shoes are displayed amongst the paintings, sculptures and furniture masterpieces of the Wallace Collection. Issue 5 | June 2019 | 63