The 11th International festival "Jazz Bez"

Dates: 1-11 December 2011
Location: Lviv clubs and concert halls
Web: www.dzyga.com.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 244 47 78, (095) 260 03 27

Lviv "Jazz Bez" Festival is among the biggest in Europe. The festival opens new horizons and unites music lovers of many countries every year. The program of the festival combines both big stage performances and club concerts. Organizers’ vision encompasses a wide spectrum of jazz, blues, world, creative, and improvised music, including evolving forms of jazz and the technologies and media that influence jazz as an art form. Festival’s mission is to not only increase the appreciation of the music, but to strengthen the arts community by developing special projects, artistic exchanges, partnerships, educational initiatives, community programs, and collaborations that further the art. The 11th "Jazz Bez" is expected to be really amazing. It will provide the opportunity for the Ukrainian ‘home-grown’ artists to collaborate with the best in the world. Come and enjoy the fantastic festival that transforms Lviv into a centre for the creation and exchange of sounds and ideas between the local, national and international music community every year!

Ethno amusement "Andriivski vechornytsi" (St. Andrew evening)

Dates: 12 December 2011
Location: Creative Center for Children and Youth of Galicia, 27, Vakhnianyna str.,
Web: www.vidviday.com.ua, www.artpalace.org.ua
Tel.: +38 (067) 370 63 20 (PO "Pidkova"), +38 (097) 245 90 55 (PO "Oberehy")

You are welcome at "Andriivski vechornytsi" (St. Andrew evening), where you can learn Ukrainian Christmas holidays traditions, participate in games and amusements, and enjoy a nice evening in ethno atmosphere.

Lviv Christmas Fair

Dates: 12 December 2011 – 12 January 2012
Location: Svobody ave., Rynok sq.
Web: www.yarmarok.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (097) 909 19 96

The Christmas Fair is the epicenter of the celebrations with lots of interesting activities and events: singing, fun, sweets, hot wine, honey, gifts and presents, carols and warm holiday atmosphere. Craftsmen will present their products for citizens and city guests in nice wooden houses — a symbol of Christmas Fair.

Sale-exhibition "Art nativity"

Dates: December 2011 – January 2012
Location: Art salon "Art Ramarnya", 3 Armyanska str.
Web: www.ramart.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 297 16 64

Christmas motives, cribs, "shopki", carols, Christmas tree ornaments, "didukh" and lots of other things r that provoke associations with Christmas.

Exhibition entitled "Christmas Tail"

Dates: December 2011 – January 2012
Location: The 'Slyvka' art gallery, 24, Teatralna str.
Web: slyvkagallery.com
Tel.: +38 (032) 235 58 28

The exhibition will showcase works by 25 artists from Lviv, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Ivano- Frankivsk, Uzhgorod.

St. Micholas`s Day

Dates: 19 December 2011
Location: Square in front of the Opera House, Open Air Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life (1, Chernecha Hora), Lviv theatres and clubs
Web: www.cultureandtourism.lviv.ua/en/
Tel.: +38 (032) 235 48 82

It is a beginning of the New Year and Christmas Eve celebrations that start with the ceremony of placement a New Year tree in front of the Opera House and switching on street Christmas lights. That is a favourite holiday of the little children who believe in miraculous power of St. Nicolas and wait for presents that day. Various performances, Christmas fairs, charity actions and concerts are held both for children and adults. St. Nicolas the Miracle-Worker is waiting for you to bless, to amuse, to make presents and to amaze with miracles in the ancient Ukrainian city of Lviv.

St. Micholas`s Day and opening of Christmas tree

Dates: 19 December 2011
Location: Square in front of S.Krushelnytska Opera and Ballet National Academic Theatre

New Year's exhibitions and theatrical performances with Saint Micholas, Angels and Antipka are waiting for your. Besides, Saint Micholas assistance will give sweets and post-cards to all passerby. And in the full swing, The main New Year Tree will be opened.  

St. Micholas`s Fair

Dates: December 2011
Location: 5 Pidvalna str., "Art Fosa" (along the museum "Arsenal")
Web: www.idem.org.ua
Tel.: +38 (097) 588 39 79

Christmas gifts — Lviv famous artists paintings, ceramics, embroidery, textile art and metal, folk dolls and such sweets as cheese, honey and other items of old Ukrainian craft — you can choose at the St. Micholas`s Fair as well communicate with the authors of works and learn to create it yourself. (PO "Lviv- stolytsya remesel")

Christmas exhibition

Dates: December 2011 - January 2012
Location: 7a, Virmenska str. "Green kanapa" gallery
Web: www.artgreensofa.com
Tel.: +38 (032) 299 70 33

Paintings, graphics, ceramics, art glass, dolls. 

New Year's show 

Dates: December 2011 and January 2012
Location: 2, Petrushevicha Square 
Web: www.dikart.com.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 235 77 88

Toys, Christmas tree, a smell of clementines and lots of sweets –-Christmas holidays come closer. Traditionally Mikolay and Santa-Claus will gather all children around Christmas tree to please all with a New Year's fairy tale!

Christmas "Shopka"(Nativity Scene)

Dates: December 2011
Location: Rynok sq., city churches

Almost the whole city is decorated with "shopkas" during the Christmas Holidays. Every year before the City Council you can observe large wooden "shopka" with 13 major biblical figures carved from wood and painted by Lviv masters. The biggest of them reach two meters and depict Mary, Jesus, Joseph, three shepherds, angels, three kings with gifts and animals — an ox and donkey. Solemn dedication of "shopka" is held on 6th of January by priests of various denominations. There is also an "alive" Nativity Scene with live animals in Lviv. Biblical characters come to life before spectators.

Installation of Christmas "Didukh"

Dates: January 2012 
Location: Rynok sq., Svobody ave., square in front of S.Krushelnytska Opera and Ballet National 
Web: www.lviv.travel
Tel.:(032) 235 48 82, 297 57 53, 254 60 79

Christmas main attribute is "didukh" — sheaf of ears, of rye or wheat, collected at the end of harvest symbolizing connection with ancestors. He is solemnly brought by the Lviv Major and set on 6th of January on the main city avenue. Eight small sheaves around "didukh" symbolize octagonal Christmas Star. Festive procession with symbol of prosperity begins its move from the Rynok Square — from the City Hall. Children who are taking the small sheaves of ears, city guests and residents sing carols and wish all happiness and health. The main Lviv "didukh" is made by Kostyuk family, which prepares this Christmas main attribute for the city more than 20 years.

Christmas Holidays in Lviv

Dates: 06-20 January 2012
Location: Lviv Medieval Centre
Web: www.lviv.travel
Tel.: +38 (032) 235 48 82

The city of Lviv has always been preserving authentic Ukrainian traditions. That is why Christmas celebration is full of a special charm here. Lviv citizens carefully cherish old customs and create new modern versions of different stylish amusements. During the whole month of Christmas Holidays you’ll have a pleasure to admire beautiful melodies of kolyada (traditional Ukrainian Christmas carol), to smile watching Nativity plays amateur performances, to listen to the street and church concerts or visit various festivals, fairs and markets throughout Lviv centre. You may buy unique handicraft presents here, cheer hot vine or indulge in eating tasty Christmas sweets! Pampukhs or Christmas Dougnuts, Puffs (sort of fritter) are season’s favourites!

"Christmas Star Shine" Festival

Dates: 07-08 January 2012
Location: 07 January – Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life in the Open Air (1, Chernecha Hora) 08 January – City centre (Rynok Square, Svoboda (Freedom) Avenue, St. Yura Place)
Web: www.skansen.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 243 78 23, 247 03 81

The Festival revives the tradition of creating large Christmas stars (1,5-2 m), the main symbols of Christmas. On the 7th of January you’ll have a chance to participate in the Nativity plays amateur performances, wearing traditional costumes, join Christmas singers, taste pampukhs and uzvar (fragrant dried fruits compote). On the 8th of January you’ll be fascinated by the festive walk of star keepers, carol singers, Vertep — Nativity plays performers in the city downtown. We invite you to enjoy unforgettable fairy scenes!

Walk of star keepers. Participants of "Christmas Star Shine" Festival

Dates: 8 January 2012
Location: Central streets of the city

The 12th Christmas Festival. "Velyka Koliada" ("The Great Christmas Carol")

Dates: 07-29 January 2012 (Gala-Concert on January, 31)
Location: St. Eucharist Church (The Holy Communion Church) 3, Museum Place
Web: www.velykakoliada.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 235 86 77

Festival "Velyka Koliada" ("The Great Christmas Carol") is undoubtedly a special, full of Holy Spirit event. More than 70 different groups, 2000 amateur and professional singers and musicians are taking part in 20 concerts. Choirs, authentic folklore groups, orchestras and brass bands perform traditional carols, their modern adaptations and arrangements as well as classical Christmas musical compositions. The culmination of the festival is a gala-concert on the 31st of January. You’ll feel all the greatness of God and Christmas listening to the carols performed by the best festival choirs in the baroque church building.

Rock-carols

Dates: 13-14 January 2012. At 19:00
Location: Robert Domms pub

In addition to Christmas holidays, Rock-Carols festival will take place in Lviv. During two days, the Ukrainian musicians will sing native carols in original ethno-rock versions. Rock-Carols will be a wonderful chance to take fun and feel the Christmas mood. Festival’s guests will be able to sing carols and dance in the craziest ways.

The 5th Pampukh’s Holiday

Dates: 07-09 January 2012
Location: Rynok Square, 1 (City Hall Courtyard)
Web: www.pampuh.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 294 96 44

Small fried balls powdered with sugar are the sweet symbols of Christmas. Ukrainian "pampukhy" and "pampushky", Polish "ponczki", Russian "ponchiki", Jewish "sufganiyots", American "doughnuts"...they are so similar and yet so different from each other. Every family cooks their own ones — sweet and not that sweet, filled with poppy and marmalade, or just empty, but all really delicious. Welcome to the Third City Pampukh’s Holiday! You’ll watch the process of baking, learn recipes and history of the Christmas dish, and taste different kinds of pampukhs. You’ll spend fantastic time in the atmosphere of holiday and win traditional prizes! It is so nice to share delight of tasting the ‘‘Christmas Sweet Hero" with your family, friends, neighbours and joyful crowd of the Holiday participants. So, let’s enjoy ourselves!

Christmas exhibition by Viktoriya Protsiv (color graphics) and by Inna Ivasyuk (author doll)

Dates: 11 - 30 January 2012 
Location: Gallery "Zelena kanapa", 7a, Armyanska str.
Web: www.artgreensofa.com
Tel.: +38 (032) 299 70 33

Epiphany Holiday in Lviv

Dates: 19 January 2012
Location: Rynok Square


Ecumenical prayer service and blessing of water

Ethno Disco Festival

Dates: January 2012
Location: Palace "Ukraine" (18, Melnyka Street)
Web: www.krayinamriy.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 294 96 44

"Let’s jump up and down dancing in Ethno-Disco style!"- the initiator of "Land of Dreams Festival" Oleh Skrypka sings. On Melanka’s folk holiday you are invited to participate in the popular "Vechornytsi Ethno Disco" or "Ethno Disco Evening Party". Joining old and modern national traditions, the action combines old dances, songs, and Ukrainian poetry with the ultra modern wild dance rhythms and funny surprises. The highlight of the holiday is the Old Folk Dances School where everyone gets the opportunity to follow basic movements of the popular flaming dances "Hrechanyky", "Oyra", and "Hopak". Obligatory dress code is a Ukrainian national costume or at least its elements on you favourite dress.

The VI Chocolate Holiday

Dates: 9-12 February 2012
Location: Rynok Square
Web: www.shokolad.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 294 96 44

For many centuries Lviv has been rejoicing citizens and guests with the unique aura made up by coffee and chocolate aromas felt everywhere in Lviv. Delicious Lviv sweets have their long history. In the Middle Ages Lviv citizens tasted French and Oriental chocolate for the first time. Later local confectioners and bakery masters began to produce their own diverse sweet goodies. At the beginning of the XX century there used to be a confectionery practically in every house of the modern Svoboda and Shevchenko Avenues. Lviv became the second European capital of chocolate, after Swiss Berne. His Majesty Chocolate has won Lviv citizens’ hearts forever. People eat and drink, give it as gifts and enjoy themselves, they dream about chocolate. It is a necessary present while visiting friends, making proposals, having guests. Only in the sweetest city of Ukraine chocolate has its special name "chokolyada". Lviv citizens have even invented their own currency - when they want to express gratitude to somebody, they usually say: "I owe you a chocolate". Lviv Chocolate Day invites you to enjoy baking and tasting of the longest chocolate cake, to take chocolate making classes, observe chocolate fountains and sweets cascades, join competitions or games for children and adults, visit concerts and theatre performances. Nowhere else you can watch the whole process of chocolates producing at the impromptu chocolate factory, but in Lviv. Make a sweet present to your family, join Lviv Chocolate Day!

Great Ukrainian Poet T. Shevchenko Commemorative Days

Dates: 09-10 March 2012
Location: City centre, museums and concert halls
Web: www.cultureandtourism.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 235 48 82

The tradition of commemorating Taras Shevchenko during the month of March has a long history in Lviv. Taras Shevchenko is not only a genius poet, but a personification of Ukrainian independent soul! The square in front of the monument to Shevchenko becomes the celebrations centre for several spring days. People are gathering there to read and to listen to the immortal poems and songs to words by Shevchenko. They speak about the importance of following Taras Shevchenko’s example of a humanist and patriot. That is a time for everyone to realize Shevchenko’s place in his own life. "The Shevchenko Fest" contest may be considered a continuation of the Commemorative Days. Every May young authors are competing for the awards in the nominations "Songs to Shevchenko words", "Poetry" and "Shevchenko’s Subjects in Visual Art".

Easter in Lviv

Dates: 15-16 April 2012
Location: Central part of the city, Open Air Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life (1, Chernecha Hora Strreet)
Web: www.cultureandtourism.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 235 48 82

Easter is a family holiday in Ukraine and Lviv is the best place to feel this atmosphere. It is only here that the family spirit is present in each temple, on every square and in each street where traditional Easter folklore celebrations, fairs, concerts and theatre performances take place. World known Ukrainian Easter eggs, embroidery, ceramics, decorations, woodcarvings are attracting all the guests of the Easter Markets. Traditional joyful "Hayivka" – Ukrainian Easter picnic combined with songs, games and dances will bring spring not only to the nature but to your heart as well.

"The Great Hayivka" Feast

Dates: : April 2012
Location: Central part of the city, Open Air Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life (1, Chernecha Hora Strreet)
Web: www.skansen.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 243 78 23, 247 03 81

Open Air Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life annually hosts the ethnographic festival "The Great Hayivka". Hayivkas are spring songs, sung during the Easter holiday. Easter Eggs Decorating Classes usually start a few weeks before the festival. The "Easter Egg for the Sweetheart" contest in the Shevchenko Grove, games and dances for children on the Willow Kitten Lawn, Easter presents market, concerts and refreshments are the integral events of the Feast. "The Great Hayivka" is the Easter meeting point for families, old friends as well as all Lviv citizens and guests.

"Lviv Fashion Week"

Dates: april - october 2012
Location: Central part of the city
Web: www.lvivfashionweek.com
Tel.: +38 (032) 243 39 27

Lviv Fashion Weeks are traditionally held in spring and autumn. For three days you will be appraising up to thirty collections of Ukrainian and foreign designers. Fashion-shows are followed by the exhibitions of contemporary art – painting, drawing, photography, thus creating the overall special artistic atmosphere of the events.

Street Dance Festival

Dates: 30 April 2012
Location: Central part of the city
Web: www.fri.net.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 271 95 17

Project "Street Dance" is an attempt to create a new look of the traditional city street life. This usually beautiful spring day the best dancers of Ukraine gather in Lviv to show their art, among them talented and active young people from Lviv. Dancing is their style of life. Come and join them, it will be fun and jovial.

Children Readings Festival "Publishers’ Forum for Children"

Dates: 29 April - 01 May 2012
Location: Lviv Gallery of Arts, 17, Copernicus Street
Web: www.bookforum.com.ua
Tel.: +38 +38 (032) 276 41 52

Children Readings Festival is one of few in the Central and Eastern Europe. It is entirely dedicated to the literature for children. Especially for young readers and their parents a book fair, presentations of the children literature publishing houses, meetings with writers, master classes, books competitions and lotteries, charity events and discussions of the specialists are arranged. Make a good present to your child!

The V City Holiday "The Batyar’s Day"

Dates: 01-02 May 2012
Location: Rynok (Market) Square
Web: www.batyar.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 294 96 44

You’ll get a unique opportunity to dive into stylistics and atmosphere of the authentic Lviv phenomenon – the Batyars’ World. That is a world with its own street language and city folklore of the beginning of the XX century. Lviv Batyar is a freedom – loving, witty, gallant and romantic idler. Taking part in the Batyar’s Day programme visitors and citizens easily catch special feeling of immortal Lviv spirit and the old city humour. Concerts of Batyars’ bands, different funny competitions, and quizzes for children, retro – movie festival, Batyars’ songs and dances master-classes for everybody, as well as tasty refreshments and drinks are everywhere to enjoy all the participants of the city holiday. Being Batyar is universal. It does not depend upon ethnic, religious or political belongings. It is just a special kind of self-identification with the native beloved city. Batyars of the whole world, unite! Join Lviv jolly crowd!

"Flugery L’vova with Reikartz" ("Weather-Vanes of Lviv") 

Dates: 30 April - 02 May 2012
Location: Rynok Square (City Hall Courtyard)
Web: www.dzyga.com.ua
Tel.: +38 +38 (032) 244 47 78

Ethno-Jazz Festival "Flugery L’vova" in the City Hall Courtyard becomes one of the top popular actions of Lviv City Day programme every year. For three days the Festival welcomes world-class musicians in Lviv, presenting international stars and fresh new talents from the Ukraine’s own burgeoning scene. Every year free event is enabling a huge number of people to enjoy the outstanding selection of jazz music and spend a good time in a good company.

"Friends’ World" International Children’s Art Festival

Dates: 10-14 May 2012 
Location: Rynok (Market) Square, Open Air Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life (1, Chernecha Hora)
Tel.: +38 (032) 237 24 22

Annual International Children’s Art Festival "Friends’ World" is a special point of the Mother’s Day programme. Folk music groups, Ukrainian traditional musical instruments bandura and sopilka (pipe) players, dance and vocal ensembles are among the festival participants. The festival provides all children the opportunity to experience arts from around the globe and across the country, to share traditions and meet new friends. Enjoy the universal world of art and wonder the friendly spirit and imagination of children!

"Lviv – the Capital of Handicrafts" Festival

Dates: 04-06 May 2012
Location: Arsenalna Square
Web: www.idem.org.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 295 69 68, 254 61 55

Lviv has always been famous for its craftsmen in Europe. Traditional festival of Lviv handicrafts is not only a fair but a presentation of the craft guilds, direct personal contacts with well-known artists, master classes and open-air exhibitions and entertainments everywhere in the city historical centre. Many prominent artists together with brewers, cheese makers, cookery experts, beekeepers, blacksmiths, potters, stonecutters, weavers, fur dressers, jewellers, stained-glass masters, gun smiths, ceramists and engravers are taking active part in "Lviv – the Capital of Handicrafts" Festival. Absolutely fantastic decorative art goods such as batik, folk toys, embroidery, and leather goods have their special place attracting attention of all the guests.

Lviv City Day, Parade-Carnival

Dates: 05-06 May 2012 
Location: Central part of the city
Web: www.lviv.travel
Tel.: +38 (032) 235 48 82

"Where else can you feel as fine as here?" Annually this question gets the same answer: "Only in Lviv", at the time of the City Day celebrations. That is a holiday of great entertainment traditions: impressive street theatre performances, concerts and festivals. Holiday events include performances of jazz, world music, rock and pop, dance, comedy, film premières and award ceremonies to fit any taste. In 2012 the guests will have the opportunity to enjoy thousands of participants of the Great Street Parade-Carnival. Among them: children amateur groups, armoured knights, walking on stilts actors, carriages with angels, city sightseeing car-train called "A Miracle Train" bringing disable children to the holiday, members of youth and sport organizations, folk dance ensembles, representatives of national minorities and public organizations... All the parade is singing, dancing and performing.

The Mother’s Day

Dates: May 2012
Location: Central part of the city
Web: www.cultureandtourism.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 235 48 82

The Mother’s Day in Ukrainian Galicia is traditionally being celebrated on the second Sunday of May. Children love to make presents to their mothers with their talents and handmade gifts that day. Lviv citizens and guests of the city have the opportunity to admire children and their mothers dancing, singing, exhibiting paintings and crafts, taking part in competitions and festive actions. All the theatres prepare special performances devoted to the Mother’s Day. Nice day to visit Lviv!

Museums Night

Dates: July, 03-04 December May 2012
Location: Museums of Lviv
Web: www.lviv.travel
Tel.: +38 (032) 297 57 70

Visit Lviv when all the museums are open from the early morning till the midnight and special exhibitions and actions are organized for the visitors. The guests are invited to listen to the jazz program observing paintings of the XXth. century beginning, listen to the poetry accompanied by lyrical music in the portrait halls, visit theatre performances and classical music concerts in the museums or watch movies about the museums on the outdoor screens… Unique collections of the eighteen Lviv museums are waiting to thrill you!

"Field of Songs" Festival

Dates: May 2012
Location: Air Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life (1, Chernecha Hora Street)
Web: www.skansen.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 243 78 23, 247 03 81

Traditional Lviv Ukrainian Song Festival is an important event in Ukrainian culture and social life. About 5 000 best singers from Lviv and different regions of Ukraine altogether participate in the event. Although usually folksongs and classical choir songs are sung, recently new modern songs have been incorporated into the repertoire. Basically the largest choir in Ukraine getting kitted out in national dress and singing their hearts out will impress everybody! Visit traditional Galician festival "Field of Songs"!

The 30th International Musical Festival "Virtuosi"

Dates: May - June 2012
Location: Lviv Regional Philharmonic Society Concert Hall (7, Tchaikovsky Street)
Web: www.philharmonia.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (097) 700 83 58 

The "Virtuosi" ("Virtuosos") festival is a popular three-week summer season of daily classical music concerts. The event was founded in 1982, and now each season consists of over 30 concerts of the well known musicians and orchestras. That is a period when many musical stars, winners of the prestigious international contests, are gathering in Lviv to perform! The "Virtuosi" festival time in Lviv is a paradise for opera and classical music lovers!

The 3rd "Wiz-Art" International festival

Dates: 26-29 May 2012
Location: Location: Lviv Palace of Arts (17, Copernicus Street)
Web: www.wiz-art.com.ua
Tel.: +38 (063) 62 86 773

That is a festival of short films produced during the last year: fiction films and animations, video art, experimental movies and video artists’ presentations. Festival program consists of the competition and out-of-competition blocks. The winners of the competition are determined by the jury in the following nominations: "Fiction Film", "Animation", and "Experimental Movie". After each film show the spectators vote for the film - winner of the audience award.

"Ancient Lviv" Medieval Culture Festival

Dates: 26-27 May 2012
Location: Location: Open Air Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life (1, Chernecha Hora), City Hall Courtyard
Web: www.silverwolf.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 233 36 28

Imagine a totally electrifying, full day out in a medieval city. "Ancient Lviv" festival invites you to meet the old - time heroes, beautiful ladies and brave knights, court jesters and a city executioner directly in the medieval Lviv streets. Come and you’ll take the opportunity to try archery, buy old shape smith and pottery goods, listen to the medieval music… Go deep into the history of one of the oldest cities of Ukraine! The main event of the festival is the knights’ tournament – a colourful show which gained its second revival. Tournament participants are the representatives of numerous historical reconstruction clubs from the different countries of the world.

"Young Talents in Ward of King Danylo" Festival of young painters

Dates: June – September 2012
Location: Andrei Sheptytskyi National Museum (prospekt Svobody 20), The Museum of Ethnography and Crafts (prospect Svobody, 15)
Web: www.artclass.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 238 63 37, (067) 843 97 67

On the 1st of June, on the occasion of the International Child Protection Day the festival "Young Talents in Ward of King Danylo" is held. Children are invited to take part in the open air painting session in Lviv. Next day "Golden Easel" international contest starts and lasts throughout the summer. The best works will be exhibited in the National Museum and Lviv City Hall. The year winner will be awarded with the prize - an easel made of real gold.

"Fairy-Tale in the Groove" The IX theatre festival for children

Dates: June 2012
Location: National Architecture and Life Museum (Chernecha Hora, 1)
Web: www.skansen.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 243 78 23, 247 03 81

In front of the old village cottages and on the picturesque lawns the heroes of the fairy tales revive. Old Leo, Kind Fairy and Hayovyk (Kind Wood Goblin) invite little kids to participate in the show. The "Entertainment Glade" and "Tale-Narrators’ Glade" are offering children funny games and meetings with the famous fairy tale narrators and fabulists. Join the game and feel yourself a child while visiting the museum!

"Summer on the Rynok Square" Art Festival

Dates: : June - August 2012
Location: Rynok Square
Web: www.litonarynku.lviv.ua, www.cultureandtourism.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 235 48 82

Summer in Lviv Medieval Centre is full of life and music and entertainment during all three months. In the day time master classes of artists, blacksmiths, florists, and choreographers as well as sports presentations are inviting all the guests to the Rynok Square. Numerous cosy cafes and refined restaurants are attracting by smells of delicious food and coffee. Live music is heard everywhere in the old city. In the evening amateur and professional street tango and salsa groups and theatres, ethnic and popular music orchestras, clowns and out door cinema are creating the atmosphere of the everyday holiday and entertainment. Summer is a fantastic time to visit Lviv!

The 3rd Lviv Beer Festival

Dates: May 2012
Location: Central part of the city
Web: www.beerfest.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 235 77 88

Experience the excitement of the Lviv Beer Festival that maintains traditions of high beer culture. This Festival is an attempt to combine the old recipes and traditions with modern technologies. Lviv could be called the beer capital of Ukraine. The amber drink has been brewed here from 1715. No wonder that beer and ancient Lviv create the cheerful atmosphere of the holiday, performance and entertainment during the whole festival time. Joyful Batyar’s Lviv, Medieval Lviv, Lviv of Craftsmen will be treating guests with the beer. These actions will join the most interesting, important and the best especially for you.

The 5th Organ Music Festival "Diapason"

Dates: June July 2012
Location: Lviv Organ and Chamber Music Hall (8, St. Bandera Street)
Web: www.organy.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 272 39 53

The "Diapason" festival reminds of Lviv as the organ music centre. Lviv has got the richest organ music tradition in Ukraine. In old times the city competed with such known capitals as Krakow, Warsaw, Prague, Vienna, and Vilnius. At the beginning of the XX century there were almost 40 organs and 6 factories producing the instruments in Lviv. It is in Lviv where the revival of organ music in Ukraine started after the WW2. St. Mary Magdalene Church’s organ (Lviv Organ and Chamber Music Hall today) is considered to be one of the best in Europe. "Diapason" festival is an important step in the six hundred years history of the organ music development in Lviv. Famous organists and young performers from all over the world are coming to Lviv annually to fascinate audiences with their filigree technique and passionate emotions

"The Land of Dreams" International Ethnic festival

Dates: July 2012
Location: Air Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life (1, Chernecha Hora Street)
Web: www.krayinamriy.lviv.ua

Life without dreams is like an ocean without water, says Oleh Skrypka, the initiator and organizer of the Ethno Festival Krayina Mriy and frontman of the Ukrainian rock-group Vopli Vodoplyasova. He wanted his dreams of a folk music festival to come true — and they did. The Festival "Krayina Mriy" (Land of Dreams) is an annual event, which brings together folk and ethno rock musicians, craftsmen and applied art artists. Cossack authentic songs and games, kobza and sopilka (national instruments) tender sounds, blues and ethno hard rock are fascinating numerous public at the several stages erected at the venue. The very special atmosphere of the festival is always enhanced by craftsmen, who show their skills and offer their wares to the eager and festively dressed mostly young crowds among whom there are many wearing traditional Ukrainian clothes. Come to Lviv and join us! Ukraine is one of the world leaders when it comes to celebrating.

The IV  "LvivKlezFest"

Dates: 20-22 July 2012
Location: Square behind the City Arsenal (Former Jewish Quarter), Staroyevreyska Street
Web: www.hesed.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 238 98 61

Klezmer Feast in Lviv ("LvivKlezFest") is an international festival of Jewish music, song and dance. It is an attempt to revive the lost musical culture of Jews living in Galicia. Klez Fest is music of the Jewish bands, where musicians had no idea about music notation, but could incredibly precisely reflect beauties of Jewish soul. This genre of music originated in small villages and towns. Within three days of the festival Lviv citizens and guests have the opportunity to experience klezmer music, dances, singing and as well as consort with participants – famous groups, dance bands and family choirs from many cities and countries. Organizers of the Festival promise tons of unforgettable emotions and invite everyone to visit "LvivKlezFest".

IV Festival of Arts "Fort Mission"

Dates: 20-22 July 2012
Location: The fortress of the World War the First (Popovichi village, located on the border of Lviv region and Poland)
Web: www. dzyga.com, www.fortmissia.com
Tel.: (032) 244 47 78

Fort Mission is surely a unique festival. It was first organized four years ago and since that time has become one of the most famous festivals in Ukraine. Especially, it attracts people by its unusual placement on the border of Poland and Ukraine. The main idea of the festival’s organizers lies in the possibility of co-creation and collaboration of artists from different genres and art in the ruins of war.

Cheese & Wine Holiday

Dates: 07-09 November 2012
Location: Open Air Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life (1, Chernecha Hora Street)
Web: www.cheeseandwine.com.ua, www.cultureandtourism.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 235 77 88

Why wine and cheese in Lviv? There exists a documental evidence of vine-growing in Lviv Region already in the 17th century AD. Lviv climate was much warmer at that time so Southern hills of the High Castle, Lychakiv district, Keizerwald hills and Vynnyky suburbs have been covered with vineyards producing more than one hundred barrels of wine annually. Monks and monasteries of the Roman Catholic Church have also had an important influence on the history of the regional wine. Living in a big trade centre, Lviv citizens very well knew and appreciated refined Greek, Italian, Spanish, Hungarian wines as well. What’s the best to be served with good wine? Cheese, of course. Being real gourmands Lviv citizens borrowed traditions of cheese making from the neighbouring countries. So, the words "cheese" and "wine" started to be used together in Lviv in the Middle Ages! Cheese & Wine Holiday is a fantastic opportunity to learn Ukrainian traditions, to taste good wines and cheese in the open air, to visit fairs and folklore concerts, to enjoy animations and different competitions. Lviv awaits real gourmands!

Festyny Diany (Diana’s Feast)

Dates: 08-09 September 2012
Location: National Architecture and Life Museum in Lviv (Chernecha Hora, 1)
Web: www.festyndiany.org
Tel.: (032) 245 17 73
The hunting goddess Diana, the patroness of wild animals and woodlands invites all, who love nature, dogs and hunting to celebrate the International Hunters Day in Lviv. The participants will enjoy the presentation of hunting traditions, hunting trophies and guns display, tasting favourite hunters’ dishes and drinks, and a rare demonstration of the most romantic kind of hunting - falconry. Everyone can learn secrets of hunting at the master classes. Dogs – the faithful friends of the Goddess will compete for the "Diana’s Cup". The forge sound invites everybody to move in the open air!

The V International Folklore Festival "Etnovyr" ("Ethnowhirl")

Dates: 22-26 August 2012
Location: Open Air Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life (1, Chernecha Hora Street), Rynok (Market) Square, square in front of the Opera House
Web: www.etnovyr.org.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 294 96 45

International Folklore festival "Etnovyr", initiated by UNESCO’s International Council of Organizations for Folklore Festivals and Folk Art (CIOFF) gathers together groups from Slavonic countries such as Czech Republic, Poland as well as from Macedonia, France (Martinique), Israel (Palestine Autonomy), India, Mexico, Cyprus, etc. in Lviv. Their impressive dancing miniatures combine traditional folklore, old ritual and modern brisk dances. Musical traditions are also represented by the unique musical instruments. The number and variety of cultures and colours in Lviv streets is unforgettably impressive. Bright recollection about the colourful costumes and artistic performances won’t leave you till the next festival!

Independence Day

Dates: 24 August 2012
Location: Centre of the city, city squares, concert halls
Web: www.lviv.travel
Tel.: +38 (032) 235 48 82

Independence Day is a special event in Lviv. On the eve of the holiday the city’s pace changes. Everyone awaits the street performances, artistic events and the festive concert. Wearing embroidered national shirts on the Independence Day became a tradition among Lviv citizens. Already in the morning the city starts flourishing with the colours of national costumes. The celebrations last for several days during which you can visit Folklore Festival "Ethnowhirl ", International Independent Film Festival "LeoFilm", concerts and the Parade of Embroidery.

Bread Day

Dates: 25-26 August 2012
Location: Open Air Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life (1, Chernecha Hora Street)
Web: www.dobryjhlib.com.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 245 84 06, 245 84 24

Lviv citizens and guests love to visit the Open Air Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life at the time of the Bread Day. The celebration starts with blessings of round loaves of bread in the old church and festive walk around the museum park. The participants have the opportunity to taste and to buy bread baked according to old recipes, to learn old traditions of respect to bread or to join competitions and entertainments. Everybody is cordially invited to participate!

The 7th International Independent Film Festival "KinoLev-2011"

Dates: 21-24 August 2012
Location: 18, Valova Street, Bernanden Garden (Museum of Ideas’ yard), Les’ Kurbas theatre, Opera House
Web:www.idem.org.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 295-69-68

The main criterion of the film selection for the festival is the young film makers’ independent view upon the world problems. Competition programs, presentations and professional meetings, premiers and retrospective shows, exhibitions and cinema school "FilmKio" are in the "KinoLev - 2012" festival programme. Traditional festival themes are " Young Cinema", "World’s idea of Ukraine and Ukrainians", "The Festival of Festivals", "Silent Movie Classics", and "The Best Ukrainian Movie Translation".

The V Week of Contemporary Art

Dates: 31 August-09 September 2012
Location: ГArt Gallery "Dzyga", "The Jam Factory" (124, B.Khmelnytskyi Street), city center
Web www.dzyga.com.ua
Tel.: (032) 244 47 78

"Week of Contemporary Art" lights up the problems of the modern art, demonstrating its ways of development and new artistic language of communication with the society. Different kinds of artistic performances and installations, new media art and experimental electronic music, film shows and discussions, lectures and master classes are on the list of the rich program for specialists and art lovers.

MediaDepo

Dates: August 2012
Location: Public Space of Lviv, Central and Eastern Europe City History Centre (6, Bohomoltsya Street)
Web: www.mediadepo.org.ua, www.lvivcenter.org
Tel.: (067) 4161962, (032) 275 17 34

MediaDepo is a project that covers contemporary art and digital technologies. Every year it demonstrates the best works of international media festivals – video art and artistic animation, short movies, hybrid interactive media, and experimental electronic music.

Brass Band Festival

Dates: August 2012
Location: Rynok (Market) Square, Museum Square (in front of Pototsky’s Palace)
Web: www.cultureandtourism.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 247 14 70, 235 48 82

Everyone can enjoy listening to the brass music of different epochs and participate in the brass bands parade. Among the participants there are brass orchestras from Lviv and foreign countries. Final concert of the festival annually finishes by the "The Anthem of the United Europe" and the traditional song "Only in Lviv" performed by the joint orchestra.

"Vereteno" ("Spindle") Authentic Art festival

Dates: September 2012
Location: National Architecture and Life Museum in Lviv (1, Chernecha Hora Street)
Web: www.skansen.lviv.ua
Tel.: (032) 243 78 23, 247 03 81

"Vereteno" festival is gathering authentic groups from all regions of the Western Ukraine. They represent traditional folk art: very old songs, folk trio musicians’ performances, ritual ceremonies which recall the ancestors’ lifestyle. Classes of weaving, stove decorating and reeled doll making are very popular among children. Everyone who loves dancing is invited to the ancient authentic dance lessons. Come to discover immortal authentic art and traditions!

The 17th Lviv International Book Fair

Dates: 13-16 September 2012
Location: The Palace of Arts (17, Copernicus Street)
Web: www.bookforum.com.ua
Tel.: (032) 276 41 52

Lviv International Book Fair ("Lviv Publisher’s Forum"), the biggest in Ukraine is included into the Frankfurt Calendar of the World Largest International Book Fairs. It is a meeting place for the industry’s experts, be they publishers, booksellers, agents, film producers or authors. Number of public visiting Forum usually strikes the prominent authors - guests of the event. The Publishes’ Forum programme includes: a book fair, the 5th International Literary Festival and the "Night of poetry and music non-stop" action; business forum, charity and artistic events, new books presentations and meetings with writers. Different art-video shows, artistic exhibitions and rock bands concerts will accompany forum. Forum promotes book and reading. It is the best opportunity for the publishers to present new books and develop their professionalism.

The 6th City Holiday "Have a Cup of Coffee in Lviv"

Dates: 28-30 September 2012
Location: The yard of the City Council, Rynok square
Web:www.coffeefest.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 235 77 88

Lviv has always been famous for its coffee. In 1683 Yuriy Kulchytskyi, Cossack from Lviv Region, founded the first coffee-house in Vienna "Hof zur Blauen Flasche", which was one of the few at that time in Europe. Who knows, maybe owing to Yuriy Kulchytskyi, Lviv became known as the coffee capital of Galicia. City Coffee Festival promotes Lviv coffee culture since 2007. Everyone can take a coffee tour of Lviv and taste "festival" coffee in the numerous houses that day. All cafes use their exclusive recipes and high quality coffee to create a real holiday of delight for the customers. Fragrant coffee and meeting people are two indispensable elements of the Coffee Festival in Lviv. The top event of the festival is Coffee King’s and Queen’s tour round Lviv coffee-houses with the aim to choose a winner of the festival – the best Lviv café of the year. All the guests are invited to the coffee and coffee plate’s fair, historical presentations of the coffee drinking traditions, retro and jazz music concerts. Welcome to Lviv! We’ll find a special coffee and a cosy café to delight everyone!

The 18th International Avant-Garde Music Festival "Contrasts"

Dates: October 2012
Location: Lviv Regional Philharmonic Hall (7, Chaikovsky Street)
Web: www.philharmonia.lviv.ua
Tel.: (032) 272 67 25

International Avant-Garde Music Festival "Contrasts" was founded in 1995. Every year the number of the well known participants grows, thus attracting more and more public and journalists’ attention. The idea of the festival is to represent the variety of musical forms, styles, genres and interpretations emphasizing special, often contrast character of a new music.

"Golden Lion" International Theatre Festival

Dates: 27 September-6 October 2012
Location: Theatre "Voskresinnia"
Web: www.voskresinnia.eu, www.golden-lion.com.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 261 63 10, 297 53 96

"Golden Lion" Theatre Festival is very popular not only in Lviv, but in the whole Eastern Europe. Founded in 1992, it is not only a famous street theatres show and presentation of the European traditions, but the most prestigious theatre forum in Ukraine. Every year Lviv turns into a huge theatre stage for the popular performances, premiers and experimental works of the young directors. More than 25 thousand actors from all over the world had already taken part in the festival. All performances are presented in the original languages. Street parades of the moving on the stilts actors and impressive fire show traditionally open the festival. "Golden Lion" Theatre Festival is a member of such organizations as Informal European Theatre Meetings (IETM) and International Festivals and Event Association (IFEA).

Festival of Fluri Art «Lviv Lumines – 2012»

Dates: 30 September – 9 October 2012
Location: Kopernika str.
Web: www.lumines.lviv.ua, info@lumines.lviv.ua
Tel.: (063) 762 07 00, (097) 137 05 86

Lviv Lumines is the most bright festival of Fluri Art in Lviv. A unique interactive festival will gather the Ukrainian and foreign artists, fluorite, DJs, artists and installations in the huge halls of the Palace of Arts. In addition to the exhibition of Fluri papers, the festival will house various master classes in drawing and weaving structures of filaments and DJs performances. There also will be an Indian Tee testing.

The X Festival of the Ancient Music

Dates: 15-30 October 2012
Location: Lviv Organ and Chamber Music Hall (8, S.Bandera Street),Lviv Regional Philharmonic Hall (7, Chaikovsky str.)
Web: www.earlymusicfest.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 221 05 35

This festival is the only professional music event in Ukraine of its kind. It offers the audience vocal, instrumental, church, secular and opera music of different European countries. Musicians from Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands. Chile, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine have been taking part in these festivals. This year the festival has been named "Lviv and Habsburg’s Musical Heritage". You will listen to the music of different countries and peoples which belonged to the Habsburg’s State since the Middle Ages up to the XXth. century.

The Blacksmith Art Festival "Zaliznyy Lev" ("The Iron Lion")

Dates: October 2012
Location: Arsenalna Square
Web: www.zaliznyjlev.org.ua
Tel.: (067) 735 76 84

"Zaliznyy Lev" Blacksmith Art Festival gathers masters from the whole Ukraine in Lviv. Using forge, hammer and sledge hammer they demonstrate the basics of blacksmith’s work as it looked hundreds of years ago. Blacksmiths produce real masterpieces of the metal sculpture and decorations to the guests’ order. Fire, metal and ringing hammer knocks on the medieval place create a magic atmosphere of the past times.

VI Tourist Conference "Win with Lion!"

Dates: 22-24 November 2012
Location: Pototski’s Palace, 15, Copernicus Street
Web: www.congress.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 297 57 53

"Win with Lion" International Tourist conference will be held in Lviv for the second time. Ukrainian and foreign travel business experts from Poland, Austria, Germany, and Great Britain took part in the first conference. Among the participants of the event there were specialists of the travel, restaurant and hotel industries, educational institutions and museums. Potential tourist products have been being discussed at the presentations and round-table meetings. Lviv’s entry into European Cities Marketing Association was one of the main themes of the conference. Conferences of such level are very important for the development of cooperation in the tourist business. The second Lviv tourist conference is going to open Lviv to the new tourist markets and foreign partners.

The 6th Festival "Drabyna" ("The Ladder")

Dates: 27-30 November 2012
Location: Lviv theatres
Web: www.drabyna.lviv.ua
Tel.: +38 (032) 244 58 55, (097) 90 53931

"Drabyna" is an International festival of the experimental, alternative, independent European theatre. The main task of the festival is a discovery of new theatre forms. Contemporary drama is a special theme of discussion at the festival. That is why its programme includes: literary theatre readings "The Fire Ladder", drama works contest "Drama on the Ladder ", art projects "The Photo play" and "Video stage", master classes, as well as new plays readings and professional discussions. The motto of the festival is "New generation. Time. Space. Own vision". Experience the best in international contemporary drama! Intellectuals and modern theatre lovers are invited.