ITALY - WORLDWIDE TRAVEL INFORMATION
Posted May 20th, 2011
LATEST WORLDWIDE TRAVEL NEWS
ITALY
2012 CALENDAR OF ITALIAN EVENTS
Major events include: special celebrations, festivals and events, art exhibitions, sport events, historical
commemorations, the most popular Carnivals, Easter celebrations, new museums and art spaces….
Major events include: special celebrations, festivals and events, art exhibitions, sport events, historical
commemorations, the most popular Carnivals, Easter celebrations, new museums and art spaces….
ART EXIBITIONS
BELLOTTO, THE CANALETTO OF THE EUROPEAN COURTS
Palazzo Sarcinelli, Conegliano Veneto (Treviso)
Until 15 April 2012
www.bellottoconegliano.it
The magnificent 16th century Palazzo Sarcinelli in Conegliano Veneto hosts this
unique exhibition dedicated to Bernardo Bellotto (1721 – 1780) one of the
masters of the “vedutismo veneziano” and nephew of Canaletto. On show are 40 masterpieces that show the creative evolution of the Venetian painter marking the fundamental stages of his career with paintings of Venice, but also of Florence, Lucca, Rome, Milan, Turin, Verona and also of European cities such
as Dresden, Vienna, Monaco and Warsaw.
THE BORGHESE FAMILY AND THE ART OF ANTIQUITY
Galleria Borghese, Rome
Until 9 April 2012
www.galleriaborghese.it
For the first time this exhibition brings back to their original place masterpieces collected by the Borghese family which were taken to Paris by Napoleon and that form part of the antiquities section at the Louvre Museum.
VAN GOGH AND GAUGUIN’S JOURNEY
Palazzo Ducale, Genoa
Until 15th April 2012
www.palazzoducale.genova.it
This extraordinary exhibition consists of 80 masterpieces of 19th and 20th century European and American
paintings from museums worldwide. These Van Gogh inspired pieces are on display in the Palazzo Ducale in Genoa along with Gauguin’s painting “Where do we come from?..”
GUERCINO, 1591-1666. MASTERPIECES FROM CENTO TO ROME
Palazzo Barberini, Rome
Until 29 April 2012
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/guercino-1591-1666-capolavori-da-cento-a-roma
The major exhibition dedicated to Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino, one of the most important protagonists in 17th century Italy, inaugurates the new exhibition space of Palazzo Barberini. Guercino was born in Cento in 1591 and lived in Rome between 1621 and 1623. The curators' choice to create the exhibition with works held in public and private collections from Rome and Cento, allows one to admire an extraordinary body of paintings in the renovated setting of Palazzo Barberini, with the opportunity to gain an overview of the master from Emilia: 50 masterpieces covering the entire span of his long artistic career which showcases all of his exuberant talent.
STEVE McCURRY PHOTOGRAPHY
MACRO, Rome
Until 29 April 2012
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/steve-mc-curry
This is a major exhibition of Steve McCurry's photography. The show will feature over 200 photographs taken over the course of his extraordinary 30 year career as journalist and photographer. Most of the images are from his archives, but many are the fruit of recent photoshoots and were as of yet unpublished. A special section will feature shots of Italy to comemorate the country's 150th anniversary - the photographs are the fruit of McCurry's travels throughout the Italian peninsula preparing for this show over the past year.
THE GUGGENHEIM. THE AMERICAN AVANT-GARDE 1945-1980
Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome
7 February - 6 May , 2012
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/the-guggenheim-the-american-avant-garde-1945-1980
The exhibition, curated by Susan Davidson and Lauren Hinkson, will provide visitors with the opportunity to enjoy a sweeping visual overview of the way the main trends in American art developed after World War II, offering a retrospective of masterpieces from the superb Guggenheim collections relating to the themes of Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Minimalism, Post-Minimalism, Conceptual Art and Photorealism.
THE PRINCES’ TREASURES, RUBENS, BRUEGHEL, REMBRANDT, CRANACH, HAYEZ,
CANALETTO……
Fortress of Bard, Val D’Aosta
Until 31 May 2012
www.fortedibard.it
During this winter season the exhibition rooms of the Fortress of Bard are
hosting a selection of fine art masterpieces. Erected at the feet of the Aosta Valley during the first half of the 19th Century, the imposing fortress has become a leading cultural centre. The fortress will host an exhibition of works from The Prince’s Treasures - Rubens, Brueghel, Rembrandt, Cranach, Hayez and Canaletto - Masterpieces from the Prince of Lichtenstein’s Art Collection.
FROM VERMEER TO KANDISKY
Castel Sismondo, Rimini
23 January – 3 June 2012
http://www.lineadombra.it/en/da-vermeer-a-kandinsky/the-exhibition
The exhibition has been organized by highlighting the centuries of greatest splendour of each of the main countries that have contributed most to the history of art. And within each century, especially for Italy, the most representative region for the period in question has been selected. For example, 18th-century Italy will be represented by Venetian painting from Canaletto to Guardi, Tiepolo and Bellotto. And the works of these artists selected for the exhibition enable us to go right to the heart of their world. So while we have Tuscany and the Veneto for the 16th century, Caravaggio and his disciples has been chosen for the 17th century, again simply as an example. In this way the exhibition will offer an overall view of some of the great figures who have left landmarks in art in the last five centuries both in Europe and America.
TINTORETTO
Scuderie del Quirinale, Rome
24 February – 17 June 2012
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/tintoretto
Jacopo Robusti (or Canal) is better known as Tintoretto (1519-1594. This exhibition, curated by Giovanni Morello e Vittorio Sgarbi, is focused on the three main themes that distinguish Tintoretto's work: religion, mythology and portraiture, will be divided into sections comprising a handful of carefully selected and unquestioned masterpieces, beginning and ending with his two self-portraits of himself as a young man, from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, and as an old man, from the Louvre.
SALVADOR DALI
Complesso del Vittoriano
10 March – 30 June 2012
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/salvador-dali
The Salvador Dalì’s exhibition investigates the artist's complex personality and multifaceted genius. Organised together with the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation the show adopts a novel approach, giving insight into some aspects of Salvador Dalí which have not been shown before. Light will be shed on an aspect that has so far been ignored by exhibitions and research into Dalí, which is his relationship with Italy.
The exhibition will focus on a selection of outstanding paintings, around which a series of other items, including objects, illustrations, and theatre and cinema costumes, will examine every aspect of the Spanish painter's activities. Documents, photographs, drawings, letters, projects, and objects will all document his journeys through Italy, and his inspirational encounters, like those with Anna Magnani and Luchino Visconti.
DIVISIONISM, THE LIGHT OF THE MODERN
Palazzo Roverella, Rovigo (Veneto)
25 Feb- 24 Jun 2012
www.palazzoroverella.com
Divisionism was the Italian answer to the French Neo Impressionism between 1890 and the end of the First World War which co-existed alongside the works of Signac and Seraut. Instead of “points” the Divisionists used strokes of colours often one on top of the other to obtain the desired effects of light. The main protagonist was in fact the “light” used to express a new form of emotion, freedom, spiritualism and hope for the future. Works from: Segantini, Pellizza, Balla, Boccioni and many more.
AMERICANS IN FLORENCE: SARGENT AND THE AMERICAN IMPRESSIONISTS
Palazzo Strozzi, Florence
3 Mar- 15 Jul 2012
www.palazzostrozzi.org
The exhibition explores the American impressionists' relationship with Italy, and with Florence in particular, in the decades spanning the close of the 19th and dawn of the 20th centuries. There was a marked upswing in the number of American artists travelling to Europe after the Civil War ended in 1865, and the trend continued on into the early 20th century. For the first time since recent exhibitions in France and England explored these American artists' relationship with those two countries, this exhibition will be hosting the work of American painters who embraced the artistic vocabulary of Impressionism and spent time in Italy.
Lux in arcana. The Vatican Archive revealed
Capitoline Museum, Rome
1 Mar – 9 Sept 2012
www.museicapitolini.org
A hundred original and extremely precious documents dating from the 8th century BC to the 20th century of the Vatican Secret Archive.
BYZANTIUM. THE NEW ROME
Scuderie del Quirinale, Rome
1 October 2012– 31 January 2013
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/byzantium-the-new-rome
The exhibition aims to offer a complete image of the art and culture of Constantinople and its empire. A wellconstructed chronological itinerary will present visitors with a collection of great masterpieces against the backdrop of historical events concerning the imperial dynasties that succeeded to the throne of the new Rome, from its foundation to its fall (330-1453). Within the chronological "story" a monographic argument will also be focused on a series of key artworks to highlighting the various sacred and profane themes: power and the court; the Church; the cult of images; Byzantium and the classics; teaching, culture, libraries; the last Byzantines: Bessarion, Italy, Europe.
GUTTUSO, 1912-2012
Complesso del Vittoriano, Rome
5 October 2012 – 3 February 2013
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/guttuso-1912-2012
The city of Rome, where Renato Guttuso lived for fifty years, celebrates the Artist with a major exhibition in the occasion of the Centenary of his birth.With 100 works by Guttuso the exhibition shows the whole creative path of the Sicilian painter artistic activity. Through his paintings Guttuso shows all deep, intense, social, political and religious aspects of this variegated world: and we finally discover a different and vibrant idea of Rome with Colosseo, Tetti di via Leonina and the mysterious presence of the roman gardens of the Visita della Sera .
PAUL KLEE AND ITALY
Galleria d’Arte Moderna, Rome
9 October 2012 – 27 January 2013
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/paul-klee-e-litalia
Paul Klee, though of German citizenship and education, loved the South like many other artists from Northern Europe did. Italy, in particular, played a decisive role in his life and his art. Mediterranean, therefore, became not only a destination for his vacations, but also an inspiration source for his artistic turning points and theoretical reflections The artist’s many travels to Italy are all to be studied in depth. Klee’s relationship with Italy has not been the object of a systematic analysis yet. This is exactly what this exhibition curated by Tulliola Sparagni and Mariastella Margozzi intends to carry out.
THE DAYS OF ROME. THE AGE OF BALANCE
Musei Capitolini, Rome
1 October 2012 – 31 March 2013
http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/i-giorni-di-roma-let-dellequilibrio
Third event of the "The Days of Rome" series, the exhibition will explore the artistic production of the "golden age" of Roman art coinciding with the principalities of Trajan (98-117 AD) and Hadrian (117-138 AD), offering a representative overview of the works produced during those forty years, a period of artistic and political ferment, with a balance in the relationship among the Emperors, the Senate and the Army.
FROM MACCHIAIOLI TO GIUSEPPE PELLIZZA DA VOLPEDO
Chiostro del Bramante, Rome
10 October 2012 – 27 January 2013
www.chiostrodelbramante.it
The exhibition From Macchiaioli to Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo, curated by
Emanuela Angiuli, intends to revisit the world of everyday experience in the nature of the Italian countryside, through the artists who, in the second half of 1800 and until the first decades of 1900, were able to capture the emotional and evocative spirit of the little middle class of the Italian province. Starting from the women, the observation inevitably invades not only the his torical fields, but also the literary and social fields. The painting becomes the register of knowledge of local customs and traditions through various languages that interferes with daily life and show the quality of a complex and varied cultural territory.
Carlo Carra’ 1881-1966
Fondazione Ferrero, Alba (Cuneo)
27 October 2012 – 27 January 2013
This is a major retrospective exhibition on one of the most famous Italian artists of the 20th century, Carlo Carra’. The exhibition gathers Carra’ major works from museums worldwide and private collections and intends to take the visitors through the various stages of Carra’s development: Divisionism, Futurism, Metaphysical Painting, Mythical Realism, still life, landscapes and more.
NEW MUSEUMS, ART SPACES AND CITY CARDS
RE-OPENING OF THE POPE ALESSANDRO VII GALLERY AT PALAZZO DEL QUIRINALE
The Pope Alessandro VII gallery occupies the left wing of the Palazzo del
Quirinale (The Italian President residence) in Rome which dates back to the 17th century and was designed by Pietro da Cortona. The Pope commissioned the gallery of almost 700 sqm with big windows giving on the suggestive
centre of Rome and decorated with scenes of the peaceful countryside and of the Old Testament. The gallery had been closed since Napoleon occupied the Palazzo and destined the gallery as apartment of Maria Luigia, it has now re-opened after extensive restoration work for visitors to admire the impressive decoration and painting.
RE-OPENING OF THE GALLERIA D’ARTE MODERNA IN ROME (GNAM)
The Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna (National Modern Art Gallery) built in 1925 in Via Francesco Crispi, and temporarily closed from 2003, has now re-opened with its important collection of modern art that offers a detailed picture of art and culture in Rome form the last quarter of the 19th century until after World War II, through a rich exhibition of more than 3000 paintings, sculptures and graphic arts. The artists featuring are among others: De Chirico, Guttuso, Carra’, Balla, Morandi, Sironi and Manzu’.
NEW MUSEUM IN MILAN – PIAZZA SCALA
A new museum has opened in Milan, the rooms of the eighteenth and nineteenth century buildings, Palazzo Anguissola Antona Traversi and Palazzo Brentani are now home to approximately two hundred works from the 1800s – including the late eighteenth century bas-reliefs by Antonio Canova and early twentieth century masterpieces by Umberto Boccioni – of which 135 are from the Fondazione Cariplo collection and 62 from the Intesa Sanpaolo collection. The exhibits offers a fascinating journey through one century of Italian art, with masters such as Antonio Canova, Francesco Hayez, Gerolamo Induno, Angelo Inganni, Federico Zandomeneghi, Giovanni Boldini, Telemaco Signorini, Giovanni Segantini, Angelo Morbelli, Gaetano Previati, Giulio Aristide Sartorio and Umberto Boccioni. www.gallerieditalia.com
NEW CASA FERRARI MUSEUM IN MODENA,
The museum complex started from the restoration of the house in which Enzo Ferrrari was born in Modena in 1898, and that has preserved through the years both the living quarters and the workshop. To this has been added a new building in the form of the now famous yellow aluminium “bonnet” whose colour is the symbol of the city of Modena and the colour chosen by Enzo Ferrari as the background to the Prancing Horse, the trademark of the company that bears his name. In his birthplace there is a permanent multimedia display which retraces the most important events in Ferrari’s life, a “mover of men”, who believed that “if you can dream it you can do it”, who saw the car as a work of art and considered racing as an experimental and testing ground for the continuous development and improvement of technology and the reaching of perfection. The stars of the exhibition in the new gallery will, on the other hand, be the cars themselves; representatives of the great Italian names from the most prestigious collections and museums, exhibited as works of arts. The vehicles will be surrounded by curvilinear showcases containing historic documents, objects and memorabilia, with the contribution of original audio-visual footage that reconstructs the identity of Motor Valley of Emilia Romagna, that with time acquired international importance.
The opening date is 10 March 2012 www.museocasaenzoferrari.it
RESTORED BRIDGE OF SIGHS IN VENICE
The scaffoldings have come down after a three-year restoration work at the world famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice and it can now be admired in its full glory. The bridge was built to connect the old prison to the interrogations rooms in the Doge’s Palace and was given its name by Lord Byron in the 19th century who suggested that the prisoners would sigh while crossing the bridge and admiring Venice after a long period of imprisonment.
NEW!OMNIA VATICAN & ROME CARD
This new card is the result of a collaborative agreement between Roma Capitale and Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi. This unique portfolio of services allows visitors in just a few days to discover the religious and cultural heritage of the Eternal City. The OMNIA Vatican & Rome includes visits to historically and
spiritually significant basilicas and monuments and the convenient use of the Roma Cristiana Open Buses, as well as the city’s public transportation system.
The OMNIA Vatican & Rome kit that costs € 85,00 adults, € 55,00 children from 6 to 12 years and free for children up to 6 years, allows visitors to experience the best of Rome and the Vatican in three days.
For more information visit http://www.omniavaticanrome.org
ONE TICKET FOR THE MILAN OF LEONARDO
It is now possible to purchase just one ticket to cover entry to “Leonardo’s Last Supper” in the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church, the Bramante’s vestry (a splendid example of Renaissance art hosting paintings by Leonardo, Botticelli, Caravaggio among others) and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, a collection of original Leonardo’s Atlantic Code sketches. Price for all three venues is €26
More info at: www.ambrosiana.it
FESTIVALS AND OTHER CULTURAL EVENTS
VERONA IN LOVE
Verona – 11-14 February 2012
www.veronainlove.it
Verona is the town where the romance of Romeo and Juliet unfolded. Verona in Love, held around Valentine's Day, sees red, heart-shaped lanterns illuminating the streets. Free concerts with a romantic theme take place
on Piazza dei Signori Square.
STRESA FESTIVAL
Stresa – June - September 2012
www.stresafestival.eu
Stresa Festival opens its doors to the public one more time with three themed events, held in a number of venues on different dates.
ARENA DI VERONA
Verona – June 22nd / September 2nd 2012
www.arena.it
This will be the 90th edition of the International Opera Festival. The 2012 calendar offers six operas: Tosca, Aida, Turandot, Romeo et Juliet, Carmen, Don Giovanni which welcomes once again artists and public in its magnificent setting.
RAVELLO CONCERTS, in Ravello, Amalfi Coast
Villa Rufolo, Ravello – April 4th / October 31st 2012
www.ravelloarts.org
In Spring and Autumn, far from the Summer’s crowds, Ravello becomes the favorite destination for those who love the silence of its Villas and its medieval churches. In that time, an audience of music lovers meet every year to listen to the concerts held in the gardens and the rooms of Villa Rufolo, famous for having inspired Wagner for the setting of his Parsifal.
BOLZANO DANZA
Bolzano – 16-28 July 2012
www.tanzbozen.it
The charming setting of Castel Firmiano hosts the Festival Bolzano Danza. The calendar includes opening shows and side events alike.
58th PUCCINI FESTIVAL
Torre del Lago – July 20th / August 24th 2012
www.puccinifestival.it
Torre del Lago hosts the Festival Puccini, created by Puccini himself, since 1930. The outdoor theatre, close to Villa Mausoleo where the Master’s remains lie, is an amazing setting to enjoy the music of one of the most outstanding and esteemed Italian artists worldwide. Operas on show in 2012 are: Tosca, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly among others.
MAGGIO MUSICALE FIORENTINO
Teatro Comunale – Florence – May 4th / June 10th 2012
www.maggiofiorentino.com
This is one of the oldest traditional cultural events in Florence. The Stabile Orchestrale Fiorentina was born in 1928 and in 1933 it organized the first edition of the Festival, which, over the years grew to international fame. The Festival has its own Ballet Company called Maggio Dance.
ROSSINI OPERA FESTIVAL
Pesaro, 10th August / 23rd August 2012
www.rossinioperafestival.it
This festival is entirely dedicated to the music and operas of Goacchino Rossini, who was born in the Le Marche city of Pesaro. This year will be the 33rd edition of the festival and two new productions will be presented: “Ciro in Babilonia” and “Il Signor Bruschino”, “Viaggio a Reims”, “Tancredi” “ Matilde di Shabran”.
SFERISTERIO OPERA FESTIVAL
Macerata August 2012 (programme tbc)
www.sferisterio.it
The Opera Festival is hosted almost entirely in the magnificent theatre-shaped Sferisterio, unique in its architectural genre. Designed in 1823 by architect Ireneo Aleandri, it derives its name and its halfcircumference shaped plan from the name of the game played inside: the “armband ball” or Pallone colbracciale.
MUSICA RIVA FESTIVAL
Riva del Garda (TN) – July /August 2012 (programme tbc)
www.musicarivafestival.com
This is a music festival of the highest level entertaining the audience with performances and events and which represent a fundamental meeting point for young musicians from around the world. The event puts in the spotlight artists of diverse origins from classical music to dance and includes a competition dedicated to the musician Riccardo Zandonai.
VENICE FILM FESTIVAL
Venice, Sept 2012 (programme tbc)
www.labiennale.org
Venice will hosts the 68th Edition of this film festival, one of the oldest and most famous. Thousands of visitors, dozens of stars and hundreds of projections are crammed into ten days of fabulous festivities and parties. The Festival is hosted at the Lido island in the Venice Lagoon.
FESTIVAL OF THE MIND
Sarzana. August 31st / September 2nd 2012
www.festivaldellamente.it
The first European festival that explores the theme of creativity and dynamic processes created by it in the tireless research for understanding and growth, and takes place in the beautiful Medieval village of Sarzana in Liguria. During the event there are meetings with artists, scientists and intellectuals to explain how the processes of creative research can influence and change paths of life and thought.
TANOTANGO FESTIVAL IN NAPLES
3-9 September 2012
www.tanotango.it
This festival deeply links Naples and Buenos Aires, the Neapolitan song and the Tango. The Tanotango Festival includes photos and painting exhibitions, conventions, workshops, shows, performances, concerts and dancing nights.
Some of the most celebrated Argentinian tango artists together with Neapolitan artists will perform with the backdrop of the city of Naples: castles, wonderful terraces on the sea, old palazzos, monumental villas and dance halls will provide the scenery for this extraordinary event.
MITO SETTEMBRE MUSICA
Turin and Milan
September 2012 – various locations (programme tbc)
www.mitosettembremusica.it
6th year of this major festival developed from the thirty years experience of Settembre Musica which connects Turin and Milan, in a programme of refined and stirring concerts: the world’s best orchestras, baroque opera, medieval music, the great maestros of contemporary music and the music from the most
distant places; jazz, open-air shows, night-time concerts...
FESTIVALETTERATURA
Mantova –September 5th / 9th 2012
www.festivaletteratura.it
This will be the 16th edition of the Festival of Literature and offers cultural events, readings, shows, concerts, all full o of fun and originality.
SCIENCE FESTIVAL
Genova – October 25th / November 4th 2012
www.festivalscienza.it
The Festival of Science is an important appointment for the diffusion of science. The exhibition aims to make accessible to a wider public the many scientific subjects it deals with. The variety of events offered encompasses scientific and artistic exhibitions, workshops, conferences and shows and enables the public to interact with this material in an enjoyable way.
SPORT
RBS SIX NATIONS RUGBY TOURNAMENT
Rome – 11th February / 17th March 2012
www.rbs6nations.com
The most important European Rugby Tournament returns to Italy (Stadio Flaminio in Rome) this year with the following matches:
Italy - England on 11th February 2012
Italy - Scotland on 17th March 2012
ROME MARATHON
Rome – March 18th 2012
www.maratonadiroma.it
Since the early years of the twentieth century the roads and squares of the Eternal City have seen some of the really mythical moments of the whole history of racing on foot. It is an event that unites spirit and passion with alternative routes for non-professionals.
AMERICA’S CUP WORLD SERIES IN NAPLES
7-15 April 2012
The prestigious America’s Cup World Series will come to Bagnoli, a seaside district of Naples in April this year. The Neapolitan coastline is undergoing extensive regeneration and the races just one of the projects currently undertaken by the authorities to help this process. The AC World Series features tight, short race courses designed to deliver close racing for the fans on shore as well as TV audiences. The innovative regatta format includes a mix of speed trials, head-to-head match racing and all-out fleet racing.
www.americascup.com.
GIRO D’ITALIA 2012
Starts on May 5th 2012 in Herning
www.gazzetta.it
The Giro d'Italia, which celebrated its first hundred years in 2009, dates back
to May 13 1909. This year the Giro will start in Denmark - it’s only the tenth
time it has started outside Italy since 1909 - and will terminate as usual in
Milan on 27th May.
MILLE MIGLIA
May 17th / 20th 2012
www.1000miglia.eu
The most beautiful vintage cars in the world chosen to participate in the race each year are selected under rigorous guidelines. The 2012 edition plans a departure from Brescia, journeying through Ferrara, Rome and then back to Brescia.
BARCO BARCOLANA – SAIL RACE
Trieste – October 2012 (dates tbc)
www.barcolana.it
Every year more than two thousand sails meet in the Gulf of Trieste. The 16 mile nautical route, Europe’s biggest sailing event and the only regatta in the world to set a single start line for so many yachts.
HISTORICAL COMMEMORATIONS
FESTA DELLA SENSA
Venezia – 20th June 2012
www.comune.venezia.it
Events and Festivals Section
In previous centuries this Feast-day held an important role in the social and political life of Venice. If, historically speaking, the Sensa is the result of the overlapping of civil and religious rites and events through the ages, today it is read as an event to celebrate the intricate relationship that the city has always had with the sea, both in commercial and architectural terms.
FESTA DEI CERI (RACE OF THE CANDLES)
Gubbio – 15th May 2011
www.ceri.it
The Festa Dei Ceri is one of the oldest, if not the oldest Italian folklore display. The festival has always played a fundamental role in the heart of the local community. Its origins are obscure, it is enough to know that there are two basic hypotheses: one religious and one pagan. However, a well-documented version sees the festival as a solemn act of devotion on the part of the Eugubini towards their Bishop Ubaldo Baldassini which started in 1160, the year of his death. Since then, every 15 May, the eve of the day of mourning, the devotional offering to the patron Saint is a fixed appointment for the people of Gubbio who take part in a great mystical procession, carrying candles all around the town and up Mount Ingino (where since 11 September 1194 the body of Saint Ubaldo lies, in the church which bears his name).
THE PALIO OF FERRARA
Ferrara – May 5th/6th/12th/19th/25th/27th 2012
www.paliodiferrara.it
The Palio of Ferrara is the most ancient event of its kind is the world dating back to 1279. It is peculiar for its kind of ride that is joyful and so different from other warlike palii. This is a very important moment for the city: all the Contrade participate wearing dress of different colours to gain the “palio”, but also and overall it is a festivity to remember the Renaissance, a period in which Ferrara was really a capital.
DANTE’S HELL AT PERTOSA CAVES
Salerno – All the year
www.grottedipertosa.it
Every Friday and Saturday in the grotte (caves) of Pertosa in the province of Salerno, "Dante" guides a tour through his Inferno, introducing guests to Paolo and Francesca of Rimini, Ulysses, Minos, Count Ugolino, and other characters you'll find in the first book of The Divine Comedy. The entertainment underground is made of more than 30 actors and dancers with the Tappeto Volante Company and directed by Domenico Maria Corrado, who also came up with the idea.
THE “BATTAGLIA DEI FIORI”
Ventimiglia, Liguria – June 18th/19th 2012
www www.battagliadifiori.com
Parade of floats covered with flowers, accompanied by bands and folkloristic groups. The cultural roots of the Battaglia dei Fiori are buried in the traditional rites dedicated to the awakening of nature and in the carnival parades of the Italian Riviera and of the Provence of the 18th century. Ventimiglia, as from the very first post war years, progressively personalized its parade, until reaching the modern version. Floats of considerable dimensions (up to 8 m x 4 m), with three-dimensional subjects pertaining the year’s theme, are decorated with
flowers petals, fixed one by one to the structure, with the technique of the mosaic. In a surface of one square metre, up to 1000 flowers find a place and for an entire float one needs about 120.000 petals!During the festival, a proper battle takes place between the public and the walk-ons on the floats, by the mutual launch of uncountable flowers. This is a bloodless and colourful fight, which is made even more festive by the folkloristic bands, which accompany the floats.
LUMINARA AND RACE OF SAN RANIERI
Lungarno – Pisa - June 16th/17th 2012
http://www.comune.pisa.it/manifestazioni-storiche/
On the occasion of the Feast of San Ranieri, Patron Saint of Pisa, celebrated
annually on 17 June, the enchantment of the illuminations of Saint Ranieri is
renewed on the streets running along the river Arno (the so-called Lungarni). In fact, following the ancient tradition the Pisans celebrate their Patron Saint on the following day. There are about seventy-thousand wax candles which at every edition are meticulously set in smooth and white glasses and fixed then onto wooden white-painted frames, modelled in such a way as to exalt the outline of the palaces, of the bridges, of the churches and of the towers reflecting the river.
FESTIVAL OF THE REDENTORE
Venezia – July 14th/15th 2012
www.comune.venezia.it
One of the most popular events in Venice is celebrated each year on the third Sunday of July. The festival itself dates back to the year 1576, and is named after the church Redentore that was designed by Palladio and resides on the island of Guidecca. Venice was suffering from a terrible plague, and the Republic's senate voted to build a temple on the Guidecca Island in honour of Christ the Redeemer, and the Venetians promised to go there every year on the third Sunday of July, if the plague stopped. Traditionally, the Venetians celebrate this day by having dinner on the Saturday night while watching an incredible display of fireworks that light up the skies over Venice for an hour or more.
HISTORICAL REGATTA
Venezia – September 2nd 2012
www.comune.venezia.it
The Grand Canal every year during the first Sunday of September becomes a theatre for one of the greatest of Venetian events, the Historical Regatta, dating back to 1315 under the rule of doge Giovanni Soranzo. The Historical Regatta starts out with the colourful procession on water, formed by the Bissone, the Bucintoro and the boats of the Venetian rowing clubs, but also the women’s race on Mascarete and that of the youngsters Pupperini.
QUINTANA OF FOLIGNO
Foligno – June and September 2012
www.quintana.it
It is considered by tradition the 'centre of the world'. Foligno, in the heart of Umbria and Italy, is famous worldwide for the Quintana, the jousting tournament which in June and September renews the challenge among the knights of its ten wards. An exciting challenge where each knight, riding his own galloping horse, has to catch a series of rings (which gradually become smaller and smaller) hanging from a wooden statue called "Quintana". It is a great feast of people, colours and passions, but also an accurate historical, scenic, iconographic and gastronomic reconstruction of the Italian Baroque.
THE PALIO OF SIENA
Siena – July 2nd/ August 16th 2012
www.ilpalio.org
The Palio of Siena is the most famous popular Italian events. It takes place every year on July 2 and August 16. The Palio is run to celebrate the miraculous apparition of the Virgin Mary near the old houses that belonged to Provenzano Salvani. The holy apparition was therefore called "Madonna di Provenzano" in whose honour the very first Palio was run on August 16, 1656.
CAVALCATA DELL’ASSUNTA in FERMO (Marche)
Fermo – Le Marche - August 15th 2012
www.cavalcatadellassunta.it
The ten “Contradas” (quarters) of the medieval town of Fermo participate with 650 men and women in historical costumes to a horse race every year on 15 August (Ferragosto) in the centre of town. Flag bearers, side shows and food and wine will entertain the visitors.
PALIO DEI NORMANNI DI PIAZZA ARMERINA
Piazza Armerina, Sicily - August 12th/14th 2012
www.feditgiochistorici.it
Plutia (the old Piazza Armerina) is home to the most ancient medieval event in
Southern Italy which takes place every year from August 12-14 in honour of Madonna Maria SS. Delle Vittorie. The event is a re-enactment of Sicily being conquered in 1060 by the Normans, led by Ruggero of Altavilla. At the end of the event, the whole procession parades through the main streets, triumphantly displaying the city flag along with its winners.
TRANSPORTATION AND THE MACHINE OF SANTA ROSA
Viterbo - September 3rd 2012
www.facchinidisantarosa.it
Each year Viterbo renews the festivities in honour of its Holy Patron. The Trasporto della Macchina di Santa Rosa, a procession which takes place in the evening of September 3rd to commemorate the relocation of the body of Saint Rosa from the Church of Santa Maria del Poggio to the church of San Damiano (the Sanctuary of Santa Rosa). The Macchina di Santa Rosa is a gigantic structure, nearly 30 metres high, which is carried through the streets by a large team of strong local men. Contests are held to select designs for the Macchina, which is replaced every five years.
PALIO DI ASTI in Asti, Piedmont
Asti, September 16th 2012
www.palio.asti.it
One of the oldest Palio’s in Italy this colourful event sees 21 contestants
relive the ancient tradition of the Palio in the historic centre of this charming Piedmont town, famous for its sparkling wine, the Asti spumante. In the days preceding the race, visitors can enjoy many collateral and preparatory events: the Palio of the Flag-wavers, the colourful flea market, the trials of the jockeys on the field. The Palio itself is a difficult challenge requiring all the participants’ strength and skill, passion and courage as only one of them will win possession of the crimson banner with the coat of arms of the city and the image of its Patron Saint.
THE FESTIVAL OF “MADONNA DELLA SALUTE”
Venice – November 21st 2012
www.comune.venezia.it
The Festival of Health is perhaps the less spectacular of Venice festivities. In a religious context it is an event dedicated to the Madonna in thanksgiving for her intercession which put an end to the plague which struck Venice between the years 1630-1631.
THE MOST POPULAR CARNIVALS
CARNIVAL OF VENICE
Venice - February 4th/5th/11th/12th 2012
During the world’s most famous masked “open city “ party, every corner of Venice flourishes with chances to have fun and becomes a multicoloured series of shows, parades, masks and much more. St Mark’s Square, the true centre of the party, is transformed into a continuous workshop of colours, masks, music and shows hosting Carnival’s traditional events such as “Flight of the Angel” , “Festa delle Marie” and “La Colombina”. Palaces throughout the city host grand masked balls for those who want to immerse themselves in the Serenissima’s festive history.
CARNIVAL OF VIAREGGIO
Viareggio – February 5th/12th/19th/21st/26th and March 3rd 2012
www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com
The most flamboyant of all the Italian Carnivals, famous for its political satire will hosts the traditional shows of gigantic paper-mache figures on colourful floats on : February 5th/12th/19th/21st/26th and March 3rd 2012. Other events include: big parties, sports events, slang theatre show, food stalls etc.
CARNIVAL OF HISTORIC IVREA
Ivrea - Torino – from January 6th to February 22nd 2012
www.carnevalediivrea.it
Traditional sounds of pipe and drum bands open the festival that sees the most spectacular event of the famous Battle of the Oranges (on 8 March). Undoubtedly, this is the most spectacular event of the festivities representing the fight for liberty, the symbol of the Ivrea Carnival. The orange battle is an incredible cultural and goliardic heritage putting the festival on a national and international level.
GREAT CARNIVAL OF LAUGHTER OF BUSSETO
Busseto - Parma –February 5th/12th/19th/22nd 2012
www.carnevaledibusseto.com
A whole month of festival is programmed just 50 miles from Parma: Busseto offers its traditional Carnival: “Il Carnevale della Risata”. The event dates back to 1600 and since 1993 is twinned with the Rio Carnival.
CARNIVALE DEI FIGLI DI BOCCO
Castiglion Fibocchi - Arezzo –February 5th/12th 2012
www.carnevaledeifiglidibocco.it
On 5th and 27th February in Castiglion Fibocchi, a town near Arezzo, will take place the 16th edition of the Carnevale dei Figli di Bocco (Figli di Bocco Carnival). Castiglion Fibocchi is situated along the Roman road called Cassia Vetus, near the mountain of Pratomagno: a characteristic town dating back to the medieval period, exactly to the XII century. This carnival is an old event, when the participants wear fabulous baroque costumes and artistic paper-pulp masks. The carnival of Castiglion Fibocchi has been often compared with the Venice Carnival.
CARNIVAL OF ACIREALE
Acireale - Catania – February 4th/5th/11th/12 /15th/16th/18th/19th/20th/21st 2012
www.carnevaleacireale.com
The Carnival of Acireale, is popularly known as the most exciting, beautiful
and fun carnival in all of Sicily. It is one of the most involving and historical
festivities of the island. The parade is held throughout the downtown circuit
which includes the main baroque attractions of the city of Acireale. The largest component of the whole Carnival is the crowd that embodies it, and is left completely free to roam the circuit without being enclosed behind barriers. Twinned with the Carnival of Viareggio it has a rich programme of events.
CARNIVAL OF CENTO
Cento in Emilia-Romagna, February 5th/12th/19th/26th - March 5th 2012
www.carnevalecento.com
The most extravagant Carnival in Europe is twinned with the Brazilian Carnival for the style of its allegorical floats, the beautiful costumes and for the riotous fun. Cento is a town near Ferrara in Emilia-Romagna and it will host many famous guest stars for the world of culture, sport, entertainment as well as beautiful floats in papier-mache’.
EASTER CELEBRATIONS
THE EXPLOSION OF THE CART
Florence - Easter Sunday – April 8th 2012
Tradition says that during the first Crusade of 1096 the Florentine knight Pazzo de 'Pazzi was the first man who planted the banner of the Cross on battlements of Jerusalem and as a gift he received some fragments of the Holy Sepulchre. Upon his return to Florence the stones were used to start the Sacred Fire of Holy Saturday, and were paraded through the city as homage to it in a richly decorated chariot. Nowadays, on Easter Sunday a large wagon is pulled by white oxen in a procession in the streets of the centre of Florence to the front of the cathedral.
LA SEMANA SANTA IN ALGHERO (SARDINIA)
Alghero – Easter Week – April 2nd/8th 2012
Alghero celebrates Holy Week according to the rites of an ancient Spanish tradition dating back to 1501. The celebrations will open on Tuesday with the "Dimas Sant 'with the procession of Sorrowful Mysteries, on Thursday "Dijous Sant" the Via Crucis is held, on Friday "Divendres Sant" there is the rite of “desclavamant ", the taking down of the body of Christ from the cross and the deposition. The “Dissabte Sant “, Saturday is the holy day of the vigil until Easter Sunday, when the Risen Christ will meet the Virgin among doves and
fireworks.
SACRED REPRESENTATION OF GOOD FRIDAY
Valmontone – Rome - April 6th 2012
The procession on Good Friday, has taken a typically theatrical role with performances drawing inspiration from medieval times. The "Sacred Representation "of Valmontone refers to this style and is over a century
old. The actors recite texts based on the Holy Scriptures. The story starts from the New Testament, continues with the reconstruction of the Nativity and follows the events of Christ's life. The Via Crucis and deposition from the Cross concludes the procession.
THE HOLY WEEK IN SULMONA (ABRUZZO)
Sulmona - L'Aquila – Easter Week - April 2nd/8th 2012
Sulmona celebrate Good Friday with a procession that starts in the evening at the Baroque Church of Annunziata and returns late at night at the Church of the Trinity. On Easter Sunday, the procession of the Confrati (friars) takes place, starting from the m ) takes place, starting from the medieval Church of Santa Maria della Tomba, this is to represent in different acts the meeting of the Virgin Mary with the risen Christ. A flight of doves closes the ceremony and then the Easter feast begins. From the flight of doves people can predict how good the harvest season will be for the city.
THE RITES OF PASSION IN BARILE (BASILICATA)
Barile - Potenza – Holy Friday - April 6th 2012
In Barile, the Via Crucis is interpreted with great intensity by its actors. Along the route of the Way of the Cross there are several stages built to represent the various episodes of the Passion of Christ. Alongside the authentic re-constructions of the Gospel stories, there suddenly also appear fantasy figures related to our ancestral fears. The "Negro" representing a stranger, the "Gypsy" character a dark symbol of wealth that hides evil and danger are very important figures of popular collective atonement.
RITES AND PROCESSION OF THE SICILIAN EASTER TRADITION
Trapani - "The Procession of the Mysteries" - Holy Friday - April 6th 2012
The Procession of the Mysteries is held in Trapani from 2pm of Good Friday and continues for almost twenty-four hours until the Saturday. It is the longest religious event in Italy and one of the oldest. This event consists of the transport of 20 groups of statues (Sacred Mysteries) representing the various stages of the Via Crucis through the city. The statues were made between the 17th and 18th century.
Modica - Ragusa - "MARONNE vasa vasa" – Easter Sunday – April 8th 2012
The Easter morning in Modica, a spectacular procession takes place with two parades that walk along the streets of Ragusa with statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary.
Adrano-Catania - "The Devils" - Easter Sunday – April 8th 2012
On Easter Sunday in Adrano a representation called "The Devil" takes place every year. This is a folklore event were Good and Evil are represented; the Devils are led by Lucifer on one side and Paradise on the other.
Prizzi-Palermo - "The abballu de li diavuli" - Easter Sunday – April 8th 2012
"The Abballu de daivuli" is a representation of horrendous masks of zinc dressed with red robes, the devils, which run thourgh the village on Easter Sunday trying to trap as many souls as possible until the afternoon, when after the meeting of the Virgin Mary with the Risen Christ the devils will be harnessed and carried by angels to the Virgin Mary.his representation is focused on the triumph of Good and of Light in the world.
Information correct at time of publication, Jan 2012