Florence footballAs Europe succumbs to soccer fever for the UEFA Euro 2012 football championship, a match taking place in Florence, Italy, on Sunday is of another ilk.
The city’s Calcio Storico, or historical football match, is a contest between teams representing the city’s districts. In a soccer contest that takes on a little bit of rugby, mixed martial arts and wrestling, the players battle it out — all in Renaissance costume, no less — in a sand arena set up in Piazza Santa Croce.
Teams consist of 27 players, and a match lasts for 50 minutes. Festivities begin with a historical parade at 4 p.m., and the game kicks off at 5 p.m. Tickets range from 21 to 37 euros and are available at www.boxol.it.
Florence’s patron saint is St. John, so festivities connected with his day go off in a big way this same day. The feast of San Giovanni Battista (John the Baptist) is celebrated all day Sunday in Piazzale Michelangelo with food, drink and a fireworks display.
Learn more about the match at http://tinyurl.com/bvgu7uh.
Liverpool’s Africa festCelebrate African culture and music in Liverpool, England, on Saturday and Sunday at the city’s annual Africa Oyé Festival. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the event aims to shift negative impressions of Africa and encourage a spirit of multiculturalism and tolerance.
At the heart of Africa Oyé lies an outstanding musical program including acts from Jamaica, Africa and the United Kingdom. You’ll also find more than 40 stalls selling arts and crafts, clothing and traditional cuisine.
The fest’s Active Zone is a place to get hands-on with dance, drum and Capoeira workshops. Face-painting and fun fair rides will keep the children amused.
This free event in Sefton Park runs from 12:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. both days.
Learn more at www.africaoye.com.
Bikers in HamburgBikers, point your front wheel toward Hamburg in northern Germany for a big fest Friday through Sunday.
Hamburg Harley Days will see up to 50,000 bikers from all over Europe take over the city center. Live music, stunt shows, dealers and bike customizers will vie for your attention. A highlight is Sunday’s bike parade. Riders who want to participate should convene at the Grossmarkt at 10 a.m. for a departure between 12:30 and 1 p.m.
See www.hamburgharleydays.de for details. The site has an English-language option.
Dexheim anniversaryDoes Anderson Barracks in Dexheim, Germany, hold a place in your heart?
This former U.S. Army base, which shuttered in 2008, comes back to life during a fest Friday through Sunday.
The party commemorates 40 years of the union between the neighboring towns of Nierstein and Oppenheim. Find more than 100 stands manned by area clubs and organizations selling food and drink. Live entertainment, mostly local talent, takes place center stage.
The party starts at 6 p.m. Friday and carries on with a DJ into the late hours of the night. On Saturday night, a live band takes to the stage. Sunday is family day.
Find details at www.facebook.com/40.Jahre.VG.Nierstein.Oppenheim.
