The world does not stand still despite the “fair absenteeism”: that is, some European countries will exceptionally not be present at the Madrid 2023 International Tourism Fair, at least not with an official stand and their own specific weight. But the world does not stand still, the year has just begun and who else, who less, absent or present, all European countries are waving their bait.
News, proposals, cascading claims that reinforce the promising climate in general for the tourism sector in the coming months. The crazy wanderlust is the new pandemic. bless it
The pillars of nostalgia
Anniversaries are a classic. One of the most notorious this year will mark the 50 years that have passed since Picasso’s death. Fifty exhibitions and events around the world, but especially in Spain and Paris, where the Picasso Museum is being expanded to include a Picasso study center. The life of another painter, Vermeer, serves as an excuse to discover his city of Delft with 12 places that inspired him and numerous things to do in the Dutch city. As for writers, in France 2023 will mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Pierre Loti (his house in Rochefort is a must for any self-respecting traveller); in Italy, the 100th birthday of Italo Calvino (unseen cities are another must-see). In Germany they experience the hangover of the second hundredth anniversary of the death of ETA Hoffmann (there will only be a performance in Bamberg), which influenced Poe or Kafka so much. Incidentally, the 100th anniversary of the death (1924) in the Czech Republic is already preparing for the latter with several advances. In Belfast, Ireland, the 125th birthday of The Chronicles of Narnia author CS Lewis is spurring a city route, new square and festival next November. And in Greece, Maria Callas’ 100th birthday is being celebrated with the opening of a new museum dedicated to her in Athens. And at the end of the year, in December, the Ensor year begins, which will set dancing in several cities in Flanders linked to this unique painter of the expressionist avant-garde.
For the taste… the capitals
Two statues of a fisherman and a ferry driver, created in 1941 by Janos Pasztor, in Veszprem, Hungary. Gunter Kirsch (Alamy)
Notice
The best travel recommendations, delivered to your inbox every week
RECEIVE YOU
Let’s start with the European Capitals of Culture, which are three this year: Timisoara (Romania), Veszprém (Hungary) and Eleusis (Greece). The cosmopolitan and university Timisoara is usually left out on the conventional circuits; wrongly so, because in addition to its architectural heritage, it was the cradle of the revolution that ended the dictatorship in 1989. Among the many activities is a large exhibition about the sculptor Constantin Brancusi, showing a Brancusi ensemble (sculpture park) in Targu-Jiu, halfway between Bucharest and Timisoara. Hungary’s Veszprém, in turn, is expanding its cultural concerns into the Bakony-Balaton region, with programs like Fragile Balaton aiming to revitalize the entire lake district. Eleusis (Elevsis or Elefsis), about 20 kilometers west of Athens, takes the motto Mysteries of Transition and projects it onto five archeological sites, the historic harbor and old factories converted into cultural centers. Italy has its own cultural capitals, which are two very nearby Lombard cities, Bergamo and Brescia.
The green capital of Europe this year is Tallinn (Estonia) due to its own assets such as air quality, parks, low noise pollution, etc. And what’s more, the most practical thing for the visitor: public transport is free in the Estonian capital. To all this we must add that there are also smart tourism capitals, two this year: Andalusian Seville and Paphos, the jewel of Cyprus, whose (nearby) beaches gave birth to Aphrodite from the foam.
Now or Never: Big Events
A head sculpted by Joan Miró in 1978.© Successió Miró / 2023
Exhibitions to highlight this year 2023 are many. In Leuven (Belgium) exhibition and festival in honor of Dieric Bouts (Bouts 2023: New Perspectives in Leuven). In Bern, Switzerland, in the center of Paul Klee, camouflaged as another hill on the outskirts, 75 works by Miró will be exhibited from January to May. In Lyon (France), the Contemporary Art Biennale projects a manifesto of fragility on different stages with a program that includes 88 artists from 39 countries. It continues: The Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest (Hungary) brings together more than 70 works related to the figure of El Greco, including fifty works by the master himself. In Vienna, the Belvedere Palace Museum complements Klimt’s works with works by other painters who influenced him. And two major musical events: the Song Festival from June 30th to July 9th in the Mezaparks in Riga (Latvia), which takes place every five years and is part of the Latvian identity (in that open-air auditorium for 40,000 people that is incubated ). fall of communism in the country). And the Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago (Lucca, Italy), between July and August, a month of music and opera as an appetizer to the 100th anniversary of the genius’ death in 1924.
Fit
Sport has also set itself goals for this year: in France, the Rugby World Cup stands out in nine cities and the Ski World Cup in the three valleys of Courchevel and Méribel. Istanbul (Turkey) will host the Champions League final on June 10th. The World Cycling Championships are held in Glasgow in August, and Scotland, more specifically in Lerwick (Shetland), hosts the Tall Ships regatta in July. Although the world capital of sailing will be Genoa (Italy), the Ocean Race will end there. And in Rome in September the Ryder Cup of golf takes place, the most important game for teams in this sport.
good neighbors
The town of Birgi in Turkey has been voted the best tourism village by the World Tourism Organization.semakokal/GETTY IMAGES
Turkey, a perennial candidate for the European Club and a bridge between Europe and Asia, adds to its range of dream destinations the town of Birgi, voted Best Tourism Village by the World Tourism Organization. Israel is creeping into the European ranks thanks to its cosmopolitan vocation and also thanks to Eurovision! The new product it presents for this 2023 is the Israel Pass card, rechargeable for 3, 6 or all national parks – which are in reality the most important archaeological and tourist sites in the country. Only the Jordan River separates Israel from Jordan, causing Fitur to stumble: he presents El Camino de Egeria (the seminal Spanish travel writer) as a novelty; there are direct flights with Ryanair, Royal Jordanian and Iberia; and its capital, Amman, appears on multiple lists as one of the top destinations to discover in 2023.
important etc
Strollers down one of the streets of Valletta, Malta Sylvain Sonnet (The Image Bank / GETTY IMAGES)
The UK will be preparing for the coronation of Charles III on May 6th. and Queen Camilla in London, and a week later Liverpool host Eurovision. A candle for God in Lisbon: World Youth Day from August 1 to 6 with 200,000 young people registered to accompany Pope Francis. And one more candle to the party in Valletta (Malta): the Europride in September (7th to 17th) under the motto Equality from the heart. Also in Portugal, developing the Algarve Literary Route: itineraries in four languages and brochures with author fragments and biographies; and the presentation at Fitur of the Cross-Border Tourism Strategy 2022-2024, an ambitious plan to promote the Spanish-Portuguese strip. Germany persists with its thematic campaigns: Feel Good and Embrace German Nature, which are very well received, and the new Historic Modern Germany, which highlights 51 UNESCO World Heritage sites; and for the Spanish market: Historic Highlights of Germany, highlighting the 17 most visited cities. Ireland is renewing its successful Titanic Museum in Belfast and opening the Famine Museum in Strokestown about this sad episode in 1847 that prompted almost a million Irish people to embark on the so-called coffin ships to America.
Subscribe to the El Viajero newsletter here and find inspiration for your next trips on our Facebook accounts. Twitter and Instagram.