Does it seem impossible? But this is true: since 1981 the Spring Festival has been able to offer many visitors a diversified and rich programme of first quality shows and events that has satisfied everybody. For these reasons the festival is considered as one of the most important cultural events in the world, and every year it hosts the performances of outstanding Hungarian and international artists in over 50 venues all around the city: during the festival Budapest, a very appealing city, is pervaded by a new, lively atmosphere, and by the magic that only art and music can convey. Is there a better way to say goodbye to the coldness and darkness of winter and welcome spring?

Music lovers will have the possibility to choose between a wide range of different events: classical and chamber music, but also church concerts, opera and operetta. All concerts will feature world famous musicians, who will make each performance unique. If these music genres are not your favourite ones, the festival has something to offer to you too: space will be given also to jazz and folk music (do not miss the Gypsy Orchestra, on the 21st March), but also to special events, like the concert of the Baobab Orchestra, a Senegalese band who was born in 1970 and who revolutionised their country's music (on the 21st March), and the show ?Music of a Lost World? (on the 24th March), which will make us discover Klezmer music.

If between a concert and the other you wish to enjoy a ballet, also in this case you have many possibilities: folk dances, but also ballets realised by the great choreographer Trey McIntyre, performances of the National Theatre Ballet in Prague and of the Bangarra Dance Theatre, a particularly innovative Australian company.

Besides music and dance, space will be given also to theatre: in particular, the Spring Festival will host the Hungarian premi're of the play ?Der Park?, by Botho Strau?, one of the main and most famous representatives of contemporary German drama. If you wish to join music and theatre, you can choose a musical.

The festival features also various exhibitions (like ?In Praise of Women?, with the works realised by Alphonse Mucha, and the 27th Hungarian Press Photo Exhibition) and a cycle of events dedicated to Japanese music and culture, to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Hungary.

If the rich programme of the Spring Festival is not enough for you, note that the event takes place in one of the most appealing European cities: one more reason to book a cheap hotel in Budapest and take part in the Festival.

Date: 20th March ? 5th April 2009

Location: Budapest, Hungary