His iconic dove of peace, the cubist portraits and the painting “Guernica”, which tells of the horrors of war: they all made Pablo Picasso one of the most important artists of the 20th century. The painter died in 1973 at the age of 91 in southern France. To mark the 50th anniversary of his death, Spain and France are planning a joint Picasso year.

The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao also has exhibitions, as does the Center Pompidou in Paris and the Prado in Madrid. Picasso is also remembered in New York, Basel and Tokyo. In Germany, the shows “Celebrating Picasso” and “A Collector’s Choice” can be seen from February 4, 2023 at the Pablo Picasso Art Museum in Münster.

Anyone who wants to visit the painter’s stations in life should follow the “Picasso Route” in southern France from Avignon to Antibes, the “Picasso Route” through Barcelona or visit Picasso’s birthplace in Málaga.

In 2023, the Walt Disney Company will celebrate its 100th anniversary. From April 18, 2023, the “Disney100” exhibition will open its doors in Munich. Visitors can expect a reunion with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, Mary Poppins and Ariel, and Captain Jack Sparrow and Nemo. Costumes, props and works of art are shown in various themed rooms.

In addition to the fairy tale classics, the Marvel characters, which now belong to the Disney Group, the Star Wars universe and the latest Disney animated film “Strange World” are also included. The “Disney Wonder of Friendship – The Experience” promises a “multi-sensory experience”, which will stop in Berlin in June 2023. In addition, the concert series “Disney in Concert” is touring through Germany, Austria and Switzerland (disney.de).

As early as 1913, the first opera festival took place in the ancient arena of Verona. But due to the two world wars and the recent pandemic, the 100th season cannot be committed until 2023.

From June 16 to September 9, 2023, not only is a new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Aida” on the program, but also “Nabucco”, “Rigoletto” and “La Traviata” from the pen of the famous Italian composer. Opera fans can also look forward to Bizet’s “Carmen”, Puccini’s “Tosca” and “Madama Butterfly” and Rossini’s “Barber of Seville”. Various concerts are also planned, for example with star tenor Jonas Kaufmann (arena.it).

The Schleizer Dreieck in Saxony is considered to be the oldest natural race track in Germany. It has been used since 1923 – and the 100th anniversary will be celebrated in 2023 with various events. Highlights in June are a historic race with presentation runs of motorcycles, automobiles and former and active drivers from the various eras, as well as a vehicle meeting with tractors, GDR vehicles and trucks.

The racing classic “24 Hours of Le Mans” will also take place on 10./11. June 2023 for the 100th time. A film, a special exhibition and a race week with many events are planned for the anniversary in the city in northwestern France (schleizer-dreieck.de; 24h-lemans.com/en).

2023 marks the birthdays of two famous opera stars who ruled the stages of the world with their voices: Enrico Caruso was born in Naples 150 years ago, and Maria Callas saw the light of day in New York 100 years ago. Not only festivals and concerts are held in their honor.

In 2023, Caruso’s hometown will name the Aeroporto di Napoli-Capodichino Airport after the tenor. A new museum will be dedicated to the Greek-born soprano Callas in Athens in the summer of 2023, in which many personal items will also be on display (visitgreece.gr).

More than 8,000 square meters of living space and 269 rooms: The “Villa Hügel” in Essen’s Bredeney district was built in 1873 by the industrialist Alfred Krupp. The castle-like complex, including the extensive hilltop park, now serves as the foundation’s headquarters and museum.

For the 150th anniversary, the organizers want to do justice to the past, the present and the future. In addition to a film program and panel discussions, other rooms will also be open to visitors (villahuegel.de).

The Paulskirche in Frankfurt symbolizes the tradition of a democratic and free constitution like no other place in Germany. On May 18, 1848, the members of the first all-German parliament met there to discuss the formation of a German nation state.

This will be celebrated from May 18th to 21st, 2023: A large public festival with concerts, exhibitions and themed city tours is planned around Römerberg, Paulsplatz, Weckmarkt and Hühnermarkt. The staging of an “Ode to Democracy” on the Mainkai is also on the program (frankfurt-tourismus.de).

Built 300 years ago as a summer residence for the Austrian general Prince Eugene of Savoy, the baroque Belvedere palace complex is now a Viennese art museum with a world-famous collection. To mark the anniversary, a special exhibition that runs until January 2024 will bring visitors closer to the eventful history of the building and shed light on historical developments and institutional changes.

There are also shows entitled “Klimt. Inspired by Van Gogh, Rodin, Matisse…”, on young and female art as well as a contemporary sculpture project in the Belvedere Garden (belvedere.at).