Frankfurt hosts its own museum festival, Museumsufer Fest, August 26-28 this year. (iStock)
When the host nation’s culture starts to feel as comfortable as the one left behind, it may be time to shake things up a bit. If far-flung travel destinations remain tantalizingly out of reach, attending a festival that highlights a foreign culture can be the next best thing to a globetrotting adventure. Here are some upcoming events that are sure to make visitors feel like they’ve stepped onto distant shores:
Wiesbaden, Germany: The Latin American Weekend is a traveling summer event that aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cultures of Central and South America. Until August 21, a roving group of entertainers and vendors brings the smells, sights and sounds of countries from Chile to Colombia to cities across Germany. The culture of 15 Latin American countries will be on colorful display at the Schlachthof over the weekend.
The event features a central stage where bands play, folk groups dance and children’s entertainers capture the imagination of young visitors. A market offers wooden, silver, ceramic and textile handicrafts, and numerous food stalls serve grilled meats and spicy cuts.
The party is from 5pm-10pm on Friday, noon-10pm on Saturday and noon-10pm on Sunday. Entry for adults costs €6 (or €10 from 6pm on Saturday) and is free for under 12s. Other events of the Latin American weekend are scheduled to take place in Munich (August 26-28); Karlsruhe (September 2-4); Düsseldorf (September 9-11) and Mannheim (September 16-18). Online: lateinamerikanischeswochenende.de
Frankfurt, Germany: The city known for its skyscrapers has an equally dazzling treasure trove of museums, the mainstays of a multi-faceted festival that plays out on the last weekend of August every year. For three days, arts, music, dance, performance and more pour onto the banks of the Main River as part of the brilliant Museumsufer festival, scheduled for August 26-28, 2022.
In previous years, up to three million visitors have turned out for the entertainment offered across multiple stages, from eclectic bands to unusual sports shows, along with the chance to sample world cuisines. While foreign cultures are well represented throughout the program, those who want something specific can choose to visit the “Spain on Top” stage, where folk dance from Galicia, flamenco from Andalusia and the whistle language of the island of Gomera are among the country’s assets . the show. The Sontaino Stage is the place to head for Latin American style, where meringue and salsa workshops and a carnival show from the Dominican Republic are among the offerings.
Entrance to the festival is free, while buying a button for 7 euros passes one of the doors of more than 20 museums. Online: Museumsuferfest.de
Zeebrugge, Belgium: The Bomboclat Festival brings the energetic atmosphere of the Caribbean to a resort town on the North Sea. For two days, the sounds of Dancehall and Afrobeats will make it hard for the bodies to stand still. The DJs and live acts taking to the stage are a combination of international artists and those known to their local communities in Belgium. Each of the three stages promises its own special atmosphere: Nah Mean has Jamaican rhythms; Bombastic Party will be home to Afrobeats and an audience known for its flamboyant attire; and Mo Mamba is the place to listen to club electronica and afro. Those with all the right moves can participate in a dance battle in the genre of hip-hop, African House or Afro Dancehall.
When a break from the dance floor is called for, the Culture Crossing space offers performance art, readings and more, and a market sells clothing, jewelry and handmade art. Children can enjoy a playground, bouncy castles and bouncy workshops. The food village serves Jamaican chicken, poke bowls and other delicious food. The on-site festival camping area will offer a measure of comfort with its sanitary facilities, shop and bar. Those who do not have their own camping equipment can rent a pre-erected tent.
Bomboclat takes place from August 26-27. A two-day festival pass, including camping, costs 85 euros. A permit for Friday costs only 39 euros, while a permit for Saturday costs 45 euros. Other packages are available. Online: bomboclat.be
The Hague, Netherlands: The flavor and flair of Southeast Asia greets visitors at the Tong Tong Fair, billed as the largest Eurasian fair in the world. This celebration of traditions, cultures and cuisines feels right at home in The Hague, known for its multi-ethnic population, many of whom emigrated from the Indonesian archipelago between 1945 and the mid-1960s.
Fairgoers can spend many happy hours watching musicians, dancers and other entertainers or taking in fashion shows and cooking demos. The Grand Pasar market offers hundreds of stalls offering oriental textiles, handicrafts and other goods, while the food court is filled with restaurants and stalls selling simple, home-style dishes.
The Tong Tong Fair and Festival takes place from September 1 to 11 at Malieveld in the city center, a five-minute walk from The Hague Central Station. The gates open at noon and close at 10pm every day except Sundays, when they close an hour earlier. All-day tickets for adults cost €15 and can be purchased online or at the gate. Children 4-14 years old pay 4.50 euros. Tickets for adults in the evening for entry after 18:00 cost 9.50 euros. Online: tongtongfair.nl
