06 Mar 2023
DATES FOR THE DIARY
EASTER CELEBRATIONS
Piazza del Duomo, Florence - 9th April
The Easter Sunday chariot tradition in Florence dates back to the First Crusade in 1099, when a soldier from the Pazzi family climbed the walls of Jerusalem and was rewarded with three pieces of the Holy Sepulcher, and since then, the people of Florence have celebrated by carrying a purifying flame through the city every Sunday, with the carrying of the holy fire evolving into a cart and later fireworks.
LA SEMANA SANTA IN ALGHERO (SARDINIA)
Alghero - 4th April – 10th April
The religious event, organised by the Brotherhood of Santo Monte, dates back to the end of 1600 during Spanish domination. Many inhabitants participate and the days before it is possible to feel a particular atmosphere in the city waiting for the Holy Week's processions and especially for Good Friday one.
SACRED REPRESENTATION OF GOOD FRIDAY
Valmontone, Rome - 7th April
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 - 4th April – 10th April
In Sulmona, the Holy Week is celebrated through various processions, such as the Good Friday procession, which starts in the evening at the Baroque Church of Annunziata and returns late at night at the Church of the Trinity, and the Easter Sunday procession of the Confrati (friars), which represents the meeting of the Virgin Mary with the risen Christ, culminating with a flight of doves that signifies the quality of the upcoming harvest season, followed by the start of the Easter feast.
MADONNA CHE SCAPPA (THE DASHING MADONNA)
Sulmona - 9th April
This event takes place every year on 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. Halfway, 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
MARONNE VASA VASA
Modica - 9th April
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.
THE DEVILS
Adrano - 9th April
Every year on Easter Sunday, a traditional event known as "The Devil" is held in Adrano which showcases a folklore representation of the battle between Good and Evil led by Lucifer on one side and Paradise on the other with a main focus on the victory of Good and Light over Evil.
THE ABBALLU DE LI DIAVULI
Prizzi - 9th April
The Abballu de daivuli is a procession on Easter Sunday where people wear terrifying zinc masks and red robes, portraying devils who run through the village to capture as many souls as they can until the afternoon. After the meeting of the Virgin Mary with the Risen Christ, the devils are restrained and carried by angels to the Virgin Mary.
THE PROCESSION OF THE MYSTERIES
Trapani - 7th April
The Procession of the Mysteries is held in Trapani from 2 pm on Good Friday and continues for almost twenty-four hours until 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 centuries.
EXHIBITIONS
Palazzo Roverella in Rovigo (Veneto) - 25th February – 25th June
The exhibition reveals that Pierre-Auguste Renoir, famous for being a leading Impressionist, had a second creative phase in which he developed a modern classicism style and became a precursor to the "return to order" movement in art, as shown by the comparison with Italian artists such as Marino Marini, Carlo Carrà, Giorgio de Chirico, and Filippo de Pisis.
REACHING FOR THE STARS – from Maurizio Cattelan to Lynette Yadom-Boakye
Palazzo Strozzi in Florence - 4th March – 18th June
The Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi presents "Reaching for the Stars," an exhibition celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Collection, showcasing a selection of works by renowned contemporary international artists such as Maurizio Cattelan, Cindy Sherman, and Damien Hirst.
“ITALY'S BEST MAESTRO”. PERUGINO AND HIS DAY
Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria - 4th March – 11th June
The National Gallery of Umbria in Perugia is holding a major exhibition to celebrate Pietro Vannucci (c. 1450-1523), the most important painter active in the last two decades of the fifteenth century.
Palazzo Reale in Milan - 24th March – 25th June
The exhibition – promoted by the Municipality of Milano-Cultura and produced by Palazzo Reale and Marsilio Arte, in collaboration with the Helmut Newton Foundation of Berlin – is curated by Matthias Harder, director of the Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin, and by Denis Curti, and traces the entire career of one of the most loved and discussed photographers of all time through 250 photographs, magazines, documents, and videos.
NEW HOTEL OPENINGS
SIX SENSES, Rome
Six Senses Rome translates this vision to offer both an escape and a sensory-rich journey for international guests and locals. Layered on to this are little rituals contrasting with the grandiose beauty of the Eternal City. From BIVIUM Restaurant-Café-Bar, the spot where all our paths cross, to a unique Rome-at-your-feet feeling on NOTOS Rooftop, and our take on the ancient art of bathing – all just steps away from historic landmarks and glorious works of art.
NOBU HOTEL, Rome
Expected to debut in Summer 2023, Nobu Hotel and Restaurant Roma is a collaboration between Carlo Acampora, Chairman and CEO of Grand Hotel Via Veneto, and Nobu Hospitality which will lead the transformation of the luxurious Grand Hotel into a Nobu Hotel and Restaurant.
CASA BAGLIONI, Milan
Situated in the Brera district, Casa Baglioni offers 30 suites and rooms, a living area, a wine cellar and a restaurant by Michelin-starred Chef Claudio Sadler. The spaces, created by architects Spagnulo & Partners, draw inspiration from the art and design of 1960s Milan in a harmonious blend of colour and lighting with the imaginative use of neon tubes.
PORTRAIT LUNGARNO COLLECTION, Milan
Portrait Milano is a stand-out property among the best hotels in Milan, offering quintessentially Italian hospitality, a personal touch toward each guest, and meticulous attention to detail. Its 73 lavish suites, family suites, and rooms will give guests the opportunity to experience Milan at its most authentic amidst the elegance of a five-star luxury hotel.
IS ARENAS HOTEL, Sardinia
5* new hotel with an 18-hole golf course opening in the south of Sardinia, Italy. The Is Arenas overlooks a 5-kilometer sandy beach and is surrounded by a protected environ-mental area dominated by maritime pines. The hotel consists of 136 rooms of 4 different types, a central restaurant, a beach restaurant, 3 bars, and a wellness area with a gym.
NEW FLIGHTS
Starting from May 2023, Aer Lingus is operating a new twice weekly service from Dublin to Olbia in Sardinia. Additionally, starting from June 2023, Aer Lingus is offering a new service from Dublin to Brindisi.
Ryanair is pleased to announce the launch of a new flight service from Dublin to Trieste, starting from the end of March 2023. The new service will operate twice weekly, providing customers with more options for travel between Dublin and Trieste.
ENDS
