The fairytale city of Budapest eases gracefully into fall with the Budapest Autumn Festival, one of Europe's biggest contemporary arts festivals. From October 9-18, 2009, more than a dozen venues throughout Budapest will host music, dance, theater, performance art, jazz, film, literature, and fine art exhibitions, all with the goal of promoting new art and reinforcing Budapest's cultural footprint in Europe. Among the highlights of this year's festival, the Amadinda Percussion Group will perform percussion versions of John Cage, György Ligeti and Steve Reich compositions on the main stage of the Thalia Theatre. The Zebra Crossing Theatre, meanwhile, doesn't need a special venue at all, as it performs brief vignettes on the striped crosswalks of Andrássy Avenue while cars holding a captive audience wait at the red light. And in the dance category, you've got to check out the world premier of the ARTUS - Gábor Goda Company's production RoosterRoosterRooster (pictured), which draws inspiration from a parable about the Japanese painter Katsushika Hokusai. For the complete program, click here and get tickets for the exhibitions most likely to push your own boundaries. Guests at Le Méridien Budapest will enjoy this eclectic fall festival.

[image via Budapest Autumn Festival]