Date book
The best of this month’s events across the network
The great ’scape
[ 5 December – 24 January 2010 ]
Britain may not boast the clear blue seas of the Caribbean, the majesty of the Alps, or the sheer scale of the Grand Canyon, but its natural landscape is still amongst the most varied and beautiful in the world. A fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed by artists – the stunning images in the Landscape Photographer of the Year Award 2009 continue a tradition going back to the Romantics and hope to build support for conservation. The winners – including this shot by Jonathan Lucas of a freerunner backflipping off the Red Rocks at Hoylake near Liverpool – go on show in a free exhibition at the National Theatre on London’s South Bank this month. www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
Experience Azerbaijani culture in London
[Until March 2010]
The BUTA Festival of Azerbaijani Arts comes to London for the first time, bringing the country’s best musicians, artists, poets and photographers (including Rena Affendi, above) for a three-month celebration of all things Azeri. www.butafestival.com
Get tuned-up in Riyadh
[12-16 December]
Saudi Autoshop 2010 is the sister event to this month’s Riyadh Motor Show. Petrol heads should stop in here for all the latest in maintenance kit. www.recexpo.com
Race Beirut
[6 December]
You don’t have to be a marathon man to compete in Beirut’s own annual running event. Alongside the biggie, the organisers are offering 10km and 5km fun runs in which anyone over the age of nine can take part. www.beirutmarathon.org
Ring in 2010 Moscow-style
[31 December]
Red Square is the default midnight destination in the Russian capital. Expect fireworks, vodka-fuelled frivolity and crowds counting down to the New Year chimes, as rung out by the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
Thank heaven for girls
[18 December]
The English schoolgirl comedy St Trinian’s is reheated once more, this time with a pirate sub-plot. St Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold is out this Friday. Gemma Arterton and former Voyager cover stars Colin Firth and Rupert Everett head up the cast. www.sttriniansmovie.co.uk
Come to Tel Aviv’s centenary finale
[17 December]
Celebrations for Tel Aviv’s centennial year close with the opening of a new institution: The Museum of the History of Tel Aviv–Yafo. Situated in a former municipal building in Bialik Square, the museum will display documents, artefacts, and thousands of photographs drawn from the city’s past 100 years. www.tlv100.co.il
BOOKING AHEAD
Have a flutter in Dublin
[ 10 Jan 2010 ]
The Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle is the first big race of the Irish racing calendar. Visit this fine course, in Dublin’s suburbs, to check out the country’s best equestrian traditions. www.leopardstown.com
Celebrate the Epiphany, Ethiopian style
[ 19 Jan 2010 ]
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates Timkat, or their version of epiphany, today. For a truly spiritual experience, witness the mass baptism at Fasilides baths, near Gondar.
Follow the scent to Kiev
[ 28-31 Jan 2010 ]
The Ukrainian perfume, haircare, cosmetics and beauty products expo, InterCharm, returns to the KievExpoPlaza for the seventh time. Everyone from amateur stylists through to industry behemoths will be in attendance. www.intercharm.net
Get booked up in Cairo
[ 28 Jan – 10 Feb 2010 ]
Cairo’s International Book Fair returns to the city’s International Convention Center. This year the world’s second largest book fair hosts Russia as its guest of honour. www.cairoibf.org
Go back to the 1990s in London
[ 11 Feb 2010 ]
Massive Attack, Bristol’s definitive trip-hop and neo-soul band, bring their current live show to London with this gig at the Hammersmith Apollo. www.massiveattack.com
Get a job in Jordan
[ 6-8 April 2010 ]
The Amman Exhibitions Park hosts Job Fair and Training Expo 2010, its fourth human resources, training and recruitment event, this month. www.ifpjordan.com
