WHAT'S ON WORLDWIDE

AUSTRIA

In 1997 Austria celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Franz Schubert, a composer far more famous in death than in life. To commemorate the occasion, the Lake Constance region, Austria's westernmost province, is running an exhibition, "Schubert 200". Just about as comprehensive a tribute as you can get, the exhibition opened yesterday and continues until September.

HOLLAND

11-14 May: If you are looking for light in your life then what better than a visit to the eighth European Lighting Conference. Held in Amsterdam, the conference outlines the latest in gadgets, applications and ideas of the luminous persuasion. Information: 00 31 20 549 1212.

USA

18 May: San Francisco hosts the Bay to Breakers Footrace, the largest of its kind in the world. Sponsored by the San Francisco Examiner, the race is started by 70,000 costume-clad runners. Exactly how many finish is estimated to be considerably less.

ST LUCIA

8-11 May: The St Lucia Jazz Festival has been an overwhelming success since its launch five years ago, boasting some 25,000 visitors in 1996. Artists at this year's event include Oleta Adams, Chuck Mangione, Shirley Horne and Incognito. There will be outdoor concerts on Pigeon Island, with artists performing among the ruins of an ancient fort against an ocean backdrop. Sounds like utter hell on earth.

THE ISLAMIC WORLD

9 May: The Muslim world celebrates the new year. The exact date of the celebrations varies because of the lunar calendar. In many countries it is recognised as a national holiday, but specific festivities vary from country to country.

JAPAN

4-5 May: Children's Day celebrations. This festival, held on the fifth day of the fifth month, is historically associated with boys. Families with male children fly streamers in the shape of carp outside their houses. The carp, a fish which swims upstream, is supposed to represent the hardships the male child will have to face in life.