01 Mar 2018
ITALIAN EVENTS NEWSLETTER – SPRING 2018
ART EXIBITIONS
ASCOLI PICENO
COLA OF AMATRICE – ECCENTRIC PAINTER BETWEEN PINTURICCIO AND RAPHAEL
17 Mar-30 Oct 2018
Museo Civico
BERGAMO
RAFFAELLO AND THE ECHO OF MYTH
Until 6 May 2018
GAMeC ( Galleria d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea)
www.gamec.it/it/mostre/raffaello-e-leco-del-mito
FERRARA
STATES OF MIND: ART AND PSYCHE FROM PREVIATI TO BOCCIONI
Until 10 Jun 2018
Palazzo dei Diamanti
FLORENCE
MONET EXPERIENCE E GLI IMPRESSIONISTI
Until 1 May 2018
Chiesa Santo Stefano al Ponte
STEVE MC CURRY
13 Jun – 6 Sep 2018
Villa Bardini
GENOA
PABLO PICASSO: MASTERPIECES FROM THE PICASSO MUSEUM IN PARIS
Until 6 May 2018
Palazzo Ducale
www.palazzoducale.genova.it/pablo-picasso
MACERATA
“CAPRICE AND NATURE” ART IN LE MARCHE IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 16TH CENTURY
Until 13 May 2018
Palazzo Buonaccorsi
MILAN
FRIDA KAHLO
Until 3 June 2018
MUDEC Milano
www.mudec.it/ita/frida-kahlo-mostra-mudec-milano/
ALBRECHT DÜRER and the Renaissance from Germany to Italy
Until 24 June 2018
Palazzo Reale
MASTERPIECES FROM THE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART
8 Mar – 2 Sep 2018
Palazzo Reale
BOLDINI. PORTRAIT OF A LADY
16 Mar-17 Jun 2018
GAM Galleria d'Arte Moderna
NAPLES
DARREN BADER (@MINED_OUD)
Until 2 April 2018
MADRE - Museo d'arte contemporanea Donnaregina
www.madrenapoli.it/mostre/darren-bader-mined_oud/
TREASURES UNDER THE ASHES
Until 31 May 2018
Antiquarium in Pompeii
ROME
KLIMT EXPERIENCE
Until 10 June
Complesso Monumentale di San Giovanni Addolorata
THE PINK FLOYD EXHIBITION: THEIR MORTAL REMAINS
MACRO Museum
Until 1 July 2018
http://www.museomacro.org/en/mostra-evento/pink-floyd-exhibition-their-mortal-remains
TRAJAN. BUILDING THE EMPIRE, CREATING EUROPE
Until 16 Sep 2018
Marcati di Traiano
TREVISO
ANDY WARHOL SUPERSTAR!
Until 1 May 2018
Ca' dei Carraresi
RODIN
Until 3 Jun 2018
Museo Civico di Santa Caterina
http://www.lineadombra.it/eng/exhibitions/rodin/rodin-exhibition/rodin-introduction.php
VENICE
CANOVA, HAYEZ, CICOGNARA
Until 2 April 2018
Gallerie dell'Accademia
BIENNALE D'ARTE
29 May- 26 November 2018
Various locations
VICENZA
VAN GOGH, between wheat and sky
Until 8 April 2018
Basilica Palladiana
www.lineadombra.it/ita/mostre/van-gogh/van-gogh-la-mostra/van-gogh-introduzione.php
FESTIVALS AND OTHER CULTURAL EVENTS
RAVELLO CONCERTS, in Ravello, Amalfi Coast
Villa Rufolo, Ravello –26 Mar – 2 Dec 2018
Spanning from Spring to Autumn, far from the tourist crowds, Ravello becomes the favourite 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.
CILIEGI IN FIORE – BLOOMING CHERRY TREES FESTIVAL IN VIGNOLA
31 Mar-8 April 2018
Vignola - located in the province of Modena - is the start of the so-called “Food and Wine Trail” and a Renaissance town on the Po plain, which has been celebrating the production of outstanding cherry trees for 40 years. During the Festival the entire town is “blooming- with-cherry-trees”, with events, concerts, exhibitions, special restaurant menus, tasting sessions and related activities to enjoy. The “blossoming chariots” parade is a real celebration of blossoming of cherry trees.
ROME'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS, 21 APRIL 2018
Every year on 21 April Rome celebrates its legendary “birthday” with three days of typically Roman events and initiatives, including gladiatorial games, parades etc. For the full programme of events please consult. www.turismoroma.it
CLASSICAL GREEK THEATRE FESTIVAL IN SIRACUSA
Siracusa, Sicily
10 May – 29 Jun 2018
Classical Greek theatrical representation in the magical atmosphere of the Greek Theatre in Siracusa, this year's programme includes plays by Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes
ROLLI DAYS 2017 - GENOA
19-20 May & 13-14 Oct 2018, Genoa
Two weekends of free entrance to visit the Rolli Palaces: great lodging palaces and mansions selected by public lottery, which were used to host the nobles coming to Genoa for visits of State. UNESCO world heritage palaces, the Rolli Palaces will host three annual thematic dates.
CONCORSO D'ELEGANZA VILLA D'ESTE - CELEBRATING THE MYSTIQUE OF HISTORIC CARS
Lake Como
25-27 May 2018
http://concorsodeleganzavilladeste.com/
The grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este, the world's most iconic Hotel on Lake Como, offer guests and visitors the opportunity to admire about 50 Historic Cars built between the 1920s and 1980s, organised by different categories. From 25 to 27 May 2018, the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este and Villa Erba will be the exclusive and unique settings of this traditional event, where guests are privileged to admire the finest historic vehicles and motorcycles of their eras.
The Motto for 2018 is “Hollywood on the Lake“.
HISTORICAL RE-ENACTMENTS/FOLKLORE
EASTER CELEBRATIONS IN ITALY
THE EXPLOSION OF THE CART
Florence - Easter Sunday – 1 Apr 2018
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 – 27 Mar-1Apr 2018
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 30 Mar 2018
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 – 30 Mar-1 April 2018
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 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.
MADONNA CHE SCAPPA (THE DASHING MADONNA) in Sulmona, Abruzzo
Sulmona, Abruzzo, Easter Day 1 April 2018
This event takes place every year the morning of Easter Day in the spectacular Piazza Garibaldi, crowded with people. The members of the Confraternita Santa Maria di Loreto, carry the statues of St Peter and St John in a procession to the Church of St Philip. The church's door then opens and the statue of the Virgin Mary is carried out, wearing a back cloak, a sign of mourning. Half way, she “meets” the statue of her Son, she “dashes” towards him, letting her cloak fall, revealing a bright green dress.
RITES AND PROCESSIONS OF THE SICILIAN EASTER TRADITION
Modica - Ragusa - "MARONNE vasa vasa" – Easter Sunday 1 April 2018
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 1 April 2018
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. This representation is focused on the triumph of Good and of Light in the world.
Prizzi-Palermo - "The abballu de li diavuli" , Easter Sunday 1 April 2018
"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.
Trapani - "The Procession of the Mysteries" Good Friday 30 Mar 2018
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.
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FESTA DEI CERI (RACE OF THE CANDLES)
Gubbio – 15th May 2018
The Festa Dei Ceri is one of the oldest, if not the oldest Italian folklore display The festival is 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 – 27 May 2018
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 during which Ferrara was really a capital. The Palio is run on Sunday 27 May.
GIOSTRA DELL'ARCHIDADO
Cortona, 3 June 2018
The Archidado Joust traces its origins back to the Middle Ages and was officially created in 1397 to celebrate the wedding of Francesco Casali, the Lord of Cortona, and Antonia Salimbeni, a noble woman from Siena.. The streets are decorated in medieval style, ladies, knights, flag flyers, crossbow shooters, soldiers, pages, civil and religious authorities, all dressed with fine costumes, liven up the city center, which is rich in history and artistic beauties of every time.
LUMINARA AND RACE OF SAN RANIERI
Lungarno – Pisa - June 16th/17th 2018
http://www.pisaunicaterra.it/en/villages-and-cities-of-art/pisa-en.html
On the occasion of the Feast of San Ranieri, Patron Saint of Pisa, celebrated annually on 16-17 June, the enchantment of the illuminations of Saint Ranieri is renewed on the streets running along the river Arno (the so-called Lungarni). There are more than a hundred 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 highlight the outline of the palaces, of the bridges, of the churches and of the towers reflecting the river.
INFIORATA DI GENZANO
Genzano (Rome)
9-11 June 2018
http://www.comune.genzanodiroma.roma.it
Every year the town of Genzano in the Castelli Romani area south of Rome, hold its Infiorata, a tradition more than two centuries' old. One of the main streets of the town is decorated with flower petals representing scenes which are mainly religious. This year the theme is religious and cultural dialogue between faiths and people. In Genzano you can also taste delicious breads and charcuterie for which the town is famous.
SAN GIOVANNI FEAST
Villa Reale - Monza (Lombardy)
24 June 2018
Monza celebrates its patron saint on 24 June with a high flying pyrotechnic extravaganza at Villa Reale. The fireworks kick off at 10pm, but before that you can have a bite at the Boschetti Reali Street Food Festival with live music. Later, when night falls, you can grab a seat and watch the sky explode over the magnificent Palazzo Reale.
SPORT
ROME MARATHON
Rome – 8 April 2018
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.
BIKE FESTIVAL GARDA TRENTINO
Riva del Garda, Trentino
28 Apr – 1 May 2018
This now classic appointment with the Bike Festival Garda Trentino is back in spring: a season opening for bikers, who will find themselves next to stars of the mountain bike international scene. The program includes exhibitions, shows, competitions, performances and stunts, testing of the industry novelties and lots of fun.
GIRO D' ITALIA
4 – 27 May 2018
The most important bicycle race in Italy, the Giro d'Italia, dates back to May 1909 and has become an iconic race all over the world. This year the Giro will start on 4 May 2018 in Jerusalem in Israel and will end in Rome on 27 May.
MILLE MIGLIA
16-19 May 2018
The most beautiful vintage cars in the world chosen to participate in the race each year are selected under rigorous guidelines. The 2017 edition plans a departure from Brescia, journeying through Mantua, Ferrara, Pesaro, Orvieto to Rome and then back to Brescia via Siena, Lucca and Parma.
Stefania Gatta
Press and communications
Italian National Tourist Board – London
NB: Information correct at time of publication, March 2018
