Next Wednesday, most USA citizens will celebrate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on the 5th of May, 1862. Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for "fifth of May", is celebrated all throughout the USA because the 4,000 Mexican soldiers defeated the much better-equipped French army of 8,000 that had not been defeated for half a century and, since the Battle of Puebla, no American country has been invaded by an army from another continent.

Continue reading... Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

If you're tired of Glastonbury or feel too old for festivals, then maybe it's time you thought about travelling to the Greek coast for a music festival like no other. From July 1st to the 4th each year the idyllic town of Preveza plays host to the International Choral Festival. Now in its twenty seventh year, the event is unique in that it is split into two distinct parts.

Continue reading... The Soundtrack of Greece

In 2010, the eightieth edition of the Feira do Livro, a great open air book fair in Lisbon, will take place again in the Parque Eduardo VII from 29th April to 16th May. Opening hours are from 12:30 to 23:30 on weekdays and from 11:00 to 23:30 on Saturdays and Sundays. It's bound to be a sunny and lively festival because participating bookstores and libraries will organize street sales with great discounts, autograph sessions, book launches and entertainment for children, and from 21.30 to 22.15, there will be live music every weekday.

Continue reading... Buying Books in Lisbon

Happy St George's Day, England! The 23rd of April has been a national feast day since 1415, after the Council of Oxford declared this date to be St George's Day and after St George replaced Edward the Confessor as England's patron saint in the 14th century. His emblem is a red cross on a white background, which is incorporated in the British flag, so you'd think that it's safe to assume that he's a typically English Saint.

Continue reading... Horse Races on St George's Day

The world of the performing arts can take many forms, from theatre and opera to classical music concerts and choral recitals, but April on Malta sees two other varieties taking centre stage.

Continue reading... Malta Performances