Events Calendar
March 2010
Day of Chocolate
6-8.03.2010
What is meant by "Chocolate joy Lviv-style"? You will never find out unless you attend our third Chocolate Festival. At the very beginning of spring, all forms of chocolate will sweeten the mood of all our residents and city visitors.
Can anything else compete for our love and passion better than Majestic Chocolate? In Lviv, everyone drinks, eats, and offers chocolate. Lvivers are proud of their chocolate products; they admire chocolate; they enjoy it; they dream about it; they offer lavish chocolates to friends and loved ones; and they include chocolate in their daily projects and their general life-style. It is only in Lviv, the sweetest city in Ukraine, that chocolate has a very special name – "Chokoliada". Lvivers have even invented their own kind of free currency exchange! If you want to express your gratitude, you should say: "I owe you Chokoliada!"
The celebration program includes: chocolate fountains and sculptures, master-classes in preparing chocolate, tasting sessions etc. Despite our description, you still do not know everything about IT – so, just come along and join us at the Chocolate Festival in Lviv. All together, we will proudly announce: "Long live Chocolate!"
www.shokolad.lviv.ua
Taras Shevchenko’s Birthday
9-10.03.2010
In spite of questionable ratings, Taras Shevchenko remains the spiritual father and mentor for all Ukrainians. He is also a reference in the literary and artistic sphere, and everyone can learn to appreciate his poems, prose, and artistic representations. Therefore, Taras Shevchenko’s birthday is not a mere birthday celebration in Lviv; it is a celebration for one of the closest members of the family.
Shevchenko celebrations usually take place on the square situated near the T. Shevchenko monument. You will be able to enjoy his poems, and listen to his songs. Moreover, each and every person can learn to understand “his own Shevchenko” and identify with our great poet in his own way. Shevchenko retains a very special place in every Ukrainian home, not only because of his “Kobzar” (collection of poems), but also as a Great Ukrainian, bearing a vital and most important message for all Ukrainians.
April 2010
Easter in Lviv
3-6.04.2010
Luminous Easter is a family celebration. In Lviv, this atmosphere is all pervasive as everyone knows that the family spirit can be perceived in every single church, on all city squares, and in the city streets, where traditional festivities take place during the Easter period. Exhibitions, concerts, theatrical dramas are programmed here, whereas colorful “hayivky” (ritual round dances and games) announce the coming of spring in nature and in our hearts.
May 2010
Batyar Day (Rascal Day)
01.05.2010
“Batyarstvo” (an idle and debauched style of life) is one of the most famous and popular Lviv-style phenomena. Batyars have their own vocabulary, codes of honor, and style of life. They have become a major sub-culture in the Lviv scene. Although very few authentic Batyars remain, their standards and requirements have become an essential part of a Lviver’s life: the amount of froth in our beer, our beautiful girls, our honorable but impish street rogues… well, look, even how deeply we all love our native city. If you try to understand Batyar secrets, and their particularly humorous way of looking at everyday wrong-doings, you will probably never want to leave the traditional celebrations dedicated to Rascal Day in Lviv on May 1st. Jokes, songs, traditional rascal-style entertainment – all this and more for everyone who hopes to meet up with an original “Galician phenomenon” – a Batyar with his audacious words, and his whole-hearted laugh, a young man that you will never mistake for anyone else, and whom you will never be able to forget. www.batyar.lviv.ua
Lviv City Day
8-10.05.2010
“Where else can it be so good for us?” This symbolic question is answered every year during the Lviv City festivities by the simple phrase: “Only in Lviv.” A great number of original events have become representative of this day, such as, street theater productions, dancing and entertainment, festivals : “Lviv – Handicraft Capital”, or “Street Music”.
In 2009, a big festive parade was organized in the streets of Lviv. Over ten thousand people took part, namely, children’s associations, knights in authentic costumes, municipal and amateur actors on stilts, orchestras, the “Miracle Train” for children with special needs, carriages with sweet little angels, youth and sports organizations, folk dance groups, and representatives of minority groups and public institutions. Every year, the festive parade brings together creative Lvivers, residents and visitors. For the third successive year, this parade marked the opening of the events and celebrations for Lviv City Day; talented groups are represented by theatrical and dance associations, municipal music groups, representatives of minority groups, and artistic, sports and youth organizations.
Virtuosos
16.05-06.06.2010
Every year, the Virtuosos Lviv International Festival, which can already boast almost a thirty-year-long history, gathers a record-breaking number of world-level music stars. Every concert is a truly significant event.
The high art of classical music is presented by virtuosos both from all over Ukraine and other countries such as Germany, USA, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Great Britain, and Austria.
The Virtuosos posters list not only well-known soloists, but also renowned conductors and bands. Many concerts are organized conceptually, such as Tango Leopolitano – The History of Tango by iconic Argentinean composer of the 20th century Astor Piazzoli. This festival allows us to view even well-recognized composers from a totally new perspective. A magnificent solo program and traditional orchestra art await the grateful audience.
Details - www.philharmonia.lviv.ua
June 2010
Beer Feast
11-13.06.2010
The main element of the festival is an ethno-theatrical programme that makes this feast different from other beer festivals organized ever before. The celebration is based on folk music, dances and games combined with sampling various beer brands.
The festival will bring the charm of traditional European festivals to Lviv – festivals so popular in Germany (Oktoberfest, Stuttgart Beer Festival), Czech Republic (Pilsner Fest), Ireland (Great Irish Beer Festival), and other countries with a rich brewing history.
Various theme areas will be located in Valova Street as well as Rynok and Mytna Squares. Each area will host performances by musical, dancing, and theatrical bands from Ukraine, Poland and Czech Republic; contests and presentations of Ukrainian, German, Czech and Irish beer customs; and medieval music and dances.
Details - www.beerfest.lviv.ua
Diapason
27.06.-25.07.2010
The longest organ music festival in Ukraine is a qualitatively new phenomenon in the musical space of Lviv and Ukraine.
In terms of organ culture development, the old Lviv competed with Krakow, Warsaw, Prague, Vienna, Poznan, and Vilnius. The task of the new festival is to return the honourable title of the organ music centre to Lviv and present high artistic traditions.
Although the festival is relatively young, it has already gained considerable popularity. Organists from six countries took part in the last festival. Among them were both coryphaei of European organ mastery and young organists who always managed to fascinate the audience with filigree techniques and ardent emotions. The list of participants is always a good testimony to the "star" level of the festival.
The last Diapason Festival both started and ended in a surprise. At the opening, we were greeted with a speech by writer Yuri Andrukhovych, and at the closing – amazed by a duet performance of a piece.
Details - www.organy.lviv.ua
July 2010
Krayina mriy (Dreamland)
17.07.2010
The International Ethnic Festival was founded over five years ago. Since then, it took place annually at Spivoche Pole (the Singing Field) in Kyiv, and two years ago it came to Lviv. The Dreamland is a folk music event combining a mixture of restored Ukrainian traditions with skills and crafts of the old – and, of course, music.
In Lviv, it takes place at the Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life, also called Shevchenkivsky Hai (Shevchenko Grove). Carefully restored wooden houses and churches from various parts of the 19th-century Halychyna found their new home here, surrounded by natural landscape of the ancient park.
That is why the grove fits perfectly into the concept of the Dreamland – in terms of architecture, the atmosphere of the old, and its archaic style. The island of traditional culture created here during the festival of dreams has the power to carry us from the bustling modern city right into a fairy tale.
Every Dreamland includes authentic singing, kobzar songs, and traditional folk music rhythms both in their original form and combined with rock, jazz and blues, as well as songbooks and collections of original music. Added to those are dances, folk craftsmen shops, master classes by artists, Cossack entertainments, and the most skilful Ukrainian and foreign musicians.
Detailes - www.krayinamriy.org.ua
August 2010
Ethnovyr
20-24.08.2010
The First International Folklore Festival is fresh new, introduced in summer 2008. Nothing of this kind has ever taken place in Lviv.
This parade of cultures gathers bands from all over the world in our city – not just Slavic teams from Czech Republic or Poland, but also participants from more exotic countries such as Senegal, Martinique (France), Palestinian Autonomy (Israel), India, Taiwan, Cyprus, and many others.
This particular event stands out by being a dance festival – and our familiarity with this art of plastique, movement, and harmony is so limited. Expressive dancing miniatures combine folk traditions with ancient temple dances and energetic modern styles.
Musical traditions of faraway countries are represented by unusual, wondrous instruments. The spectators are guaranteed to get vivid impressions and experience the unique flavours of national cultures.
Detailes - www.etnovyr.org.ua
Independence Day
21-24.08.2010
Independence Day in Lviv has a special meaning and ritual for all the inhabitants. The city pulsates to the incredible beat of this celebration. As the rhythm in the city changes, people look forward to attending large-scale street festivities, artistic exhibits, and most of all, the great, festive concert where Lvivers welcome and applaud the most popular and famous Ukrainian stars.
It has become a tradition for many residents of Lviv to dress in “vyshyvanky” (traditional embroidered clothing). The city streets are resplendent with colorful shirts and blouses intricately embroidered with ancient symbols of prosperity and well-being. Such symbols take on a special significance on this particular day.
September 2010
Week of Contemporary Art
13-19.09.2010
In September 2010, an event having no rivals in the artistic life of Ukraine was launched in Lviv –"Week of Contemporary Art" “7”. From now on, a large-scale topical art project aimed at the promotion and development of the modern Ukrainian art will take place in our city every year. The Week is a space, a search, and a way to generate innovative trends in art.
In 70 days over 70 projects were carried out in Lviv, with about 100 participating artists from Ukraine, Russia, France, Poland, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Australia.
The project encompasses performance, installations, new media arts, experimental electronic music, motion picture shows, lectures, discussions, and master classes.
The project took place almost all over the historical part of Lviv, including the territory around the Dominican Cathedral, the Museum of Ideas, the Centre for Urban History of Central and Eastern Europe, the Dzyga Gallery, Rynok Square, Arsenal Square etc.
Publishers' Forum
16-19.09.2010
A truly intellectual and aesthetic feast – the Publishers' Forum National Book Fair – has been taking place in Lviv every autumn for fifteen years in a row. It is also the third time that the fair has coincided with another literature-related event – the International Literature Festival.
Over 150 authors from various countries of the world were represented within the scope of the literature festival of 2008 that turned into a vivid multimedia show combining poetry with music, video art, and other visual arts.
The Publishers' Forum in Lviv encompasses a comprehensive exhibition of the newest Ukrainian books, artistic events, literature readings, readers getting to know both authors and their favourite characters – all in all, promoting the book culture and contributing to the prestige of Ukrainian books.
Contrasts
25.09.-5.10.2010
The Contrasts International Modern Music Festival is a unique musical event of the year. The festival has been taking place in Lviv since 1995 and has already established its own traditions. For the festival's duration Lviv becomes an important musical art centre of the Eastern Europe, gathering the most talented musicians from all over the world who attract the attention of a wide audience and cause deeper and deeper resonance every time.
During the festival, concerts of both well-known and new classical music of the 20th-21st centuries are held in several concert halls of Lviv every evening. The Contrasts Festival is a true aesthetic pleasure for connoisseurs of traditional classics and music gourmets.
The festival's geography has never been confined within the borders of Ukraine. It is represented by many countries, including Poland, Germany, Hungary, Slovak Republic, Canada, USA, Great Britain, Switzerland, Spain etc.
Details - www.philharmonia.lviv.ua
Coffee Feast
25.-26.09.2010
Lviv has always been famous as the city of coffee. Back in 1683, Franz-Yuri Kulchytsky from Halychyna founded the first coffee house in Vienna – "Hof zur Blauen Flasche" – which was also one of the first coffee houses in Europe. Be it because of the fact that Yuri Kulchytsky was born near Lviv, or because of the coffee tradition quickly finding its way to Lviv and taking deep roots here, but since that time the fame of the coffee capital of Halychyna has been Lviv's for all the times to come.
The city festival of coffee has been promoting the coffee culture of Lviv since 2007. During the festival, everyone can take a tour through the coffee houses of Lviv that participate in the contest and taste the special "festival" coffee. On this day, all participating establishments prepare coffee of exclusive grades and by exclusive recipes to create a true celebration in honour of the world's favourite drink. Bathed in the aroma of coffee, you can taste the drinks and enjoy the conversations that are integral attributes of the coffee culture.
There are other pleasantries accompanying the celebration, as well – such as the coffee and coffeeware fair, presentations of coffee history and traditions, retro-style music, and a jazz concert.
Details - www.coffeefest.lviv.ua
October 2010
Golden Lion
1-10.10.2010
The Golden Lion is not just a street festival, but a European theatrical tradition, and one of the most prestigious forums of Ukraine. It was founded in our city back in 1989. Since that time, it has been transforming the streets of Lviv into a theatre every October, granting vivid impressions and creating a feeling of a true carnival. Every evening the square before Lviv Opera House turns into a stage for free-of-charge performances and street carnivals: stilts parades, mime and clown shows, fireworks, and a spectacular fire show that can leave no one indifferent.
Another event, more of a chamber type, takes place at the same time: theatrical performances inside the theatres of Lviv. Among them are performances of world renown as well as opening nights presented by Lviv theatres. Teams from Ukraine, Poland, Austria, France, Germany, Slovak Republic, Russia, Belarus, Czech Republic, and other countries participate in the festival. The Golden Lion is a true international theatrical art event – diverse and unique, as any theatre should be.
December 2010
International festival "Jazz Bez"
4-12.12.2010
Jazz Bez International Festival that takes place every year in Lviv is no trivial event for the jazz movement. Now the festival has also been joined by other Ukrainian and Polish cities – Sevastopol, Kharkiv, Lutsk, Lublin, and Jaroslaw.
This means than a new tradition has been born and is developing in Lviv, and that just in a few years the festival has managed to achieve its main goal – to cross the borders between the countries, musical styles, and age groups.
However, Lviv remains both the organizational and ideological centre of the festival. In 2008, eighteen bands from twelve countries of the world paid their visits to our city, those countries being: USA, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, France, Russia, Romania, Italy, and Ukraine. Jazz Bez has secured itself a solid place in European jazz ratings, bringing down borders and uniting thousands of music fans from different countries every year.
January 2011
Christmas in Lviv
6-21.01.2011
Lviv has always been noted for its adherence to the traditional Ukrainian culture, and that is why the celebrations of Christmas in Lviv surrounded by a special charm here. The people of Lviv cherish the customs of the past, but they also like new kinds of entertainment stylized to resemble the archaic ones.
In Christmas time, carols can be heard in Lviv for almost an entire month, Nativity plays are performed in the streets, and a multitude of holiday concerts, fairs and festivals takes place. Here one can buy traditional Ukrainian outfits and get one’s filling of Christmas goodies, among which pampukhs (doughnuts) are the most popular and tasty.
Preparing and eating pampukhs became such a favourite among the people of Lviv that it transformed into a separate event – the Pampukh Feast. During this festival, the bakers of Lviv amaze everyone with their products baked by old recipes, while local residents and guests can go back to childhood (if only for one day) and deny themselves nothing!
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