What's On this Summer in Italy

What's On 

this Summer in Italy

A roundup of 30 events: Art Exhibitions, Food, Wine, Music,

Folklore, History,  Sport and other Festivals 
- all with live website links to more information

ART EXHIBITIONS
PAOLO VERONESE RETURNS TO VERONA
Verona, Palazzo della Gran Guardia 5 July – 5 October 2014

www.mostrapaoloveronese.it

Paolo Caliari, alias Il Veronese returns home to Verona in this exhibition, in co-operation with the National Gallery in London, England. Masterpieces from all over the world and drawings will be on show. Also, after extensive restoration work, the Cena in Casa di Levi painting (5m x 10m) will be included.

Pure, Simple and Natural
ART IN FLORENCE 
between the 16th and 17thcenturies
Florence, Uffizi Gallery  17 Jun - 11 Nov 2014

www.uffizi.com

An exhibition dedicated to the artists that Giorgio Vasari credited with the “renaissance” of the modern art at the time, includes Andrea del Sarto and Fra’ Bartolomeo. And paintings, drawings and sculptures of the most representative artists from the 16th to the 17th century: Andrea del Sarto, Santi di Tito, Bronzino, Giovanni Bandini, Vannini - to name just some.

AUGUSTUS’S FORA, 2000 YEARS AFTER
Rome, Until 21 October 2014  www.turismoroma.it
From now until October 21, 2014, fMonday to Sunday at 9.00, 10.00 and 11.00 p.m.,
spectators – seated in the stands will be able to admire a spectacular reconstruction of the archaeological site. The project will use cutting-edge technology to explain the archaeological site along Via dei Fori Imperiali, adjacent to Via Alessandrina, starting from the stones, fragments and columns present. Audio guides are available in 5 languages (English, French, Russian, Spanish and Japanese), by the words of expert Piero Angela and by video footage and reconstructions that show the places as they were in the days of Augustus.

PICASSO AND THE SPANISH MODERNITY
Palazzo Strozzi, Florence  20 September 2014−25 January 2015

www.palazzostrozzi.org

The exhibition aims to show Picasso’s work and its influence on Spanish art and reflects about art - its encounter with “pure art” and the artist's commitment to the historic tragedy, in erotic desire, and a new vision of the world. The exhibition will be also show works by Juan Gris, Miró, Dalí, Maria Blanchard, Julio González.

TWO NEW MUSEUMS IN THE MARCHE REGION
www.ascolimusei.it , www.maceratamusei.it
Two new important museums have recently been opened in the central Italian region of March. In Macerata, two new rooms of the Palazzo Buonaccorsi have been inaugurated dedicated to 15th and
16th century art. In Ascoli Piceno at the Forte Malatesta the whole third floor is now dedicated to Early Medieval art, with treasures from the Longobard art.

IGOR MITORAJ “ANGELS” SCULPTURES 
IN PIAZZA DEI MIRACOLI IN PISA

www.pisaunicaterra.it

     From 17th May to January 15th 2015 the medieval setting of Pisa's Piazza dei Miracoli will host
'Angeli' (Angels), an exhibition by the Polish artist Igor Mitoraj.
     The event celebrates the 950th anniversary of the laying of Pisa Cathedral’s foundation stone and for the first time presents a contemporary artist in close proximity to the world famous Leaning Tower.
     In addition to his secular production, Igor Mitoraj executed works meant for religious buildings, such as the monumental gates of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome, the bronze door of the Jesuit Church in Warsaw and the marble sculpture ‘The Annunciation’ for the Vatican Museums.

HAUTE COUTURE – GREAT THEATRE
Reggia Venaria, Turin  - until 14 September 2014
www.lavenaria.it
    This exhibition presents thirty years of stories, meetings and collaborations with the leading figures of Italian fashion and the great thespians on the international stage. It is a fascinating journey into elegance
and theatre attires with more than two hundred stage and concert costumes, sketches and videos, different styles from different times.
    The display includes outstanding creationsmby Armani, Balestra, Biagiotti, Fendi, Missoni and pieces from the private collections of Roger Salas, Raina Kabaivanska, Valentino Garavani, Fondazione Roberto Capucci, Maurizio Galante Archivio, Missoni Archive, conceived for great performers like Mirella Freni, Raina Kabaivanska, Joaquin Cortes, Kiri Te Kanawa, and June Anderson.

FOOD & WINE EVENTS
CALICI DI STELLE
Every region in Italy, various locations  August 5-10, 2014 and at night August 9 & 10, 2014.
www.movimentoturismovino.it/it/eventi/3/calici-di-stelle/
Organized by the Movimento Turismo del Vino, this is their most important summer event and is held between 5 and 10 August and on the night between 9 and 10 August under the shooting stars in the most beautiful wine-producing locations in Italy. Wine tastings are organized by sommeliers’ associations of the region to inform and help the visitors to appreciate the local wines.

44TH EXPO OF CHIANTI CLASSICO
Greve in Chianti  11-14 September 2014

www.expochianticlassico.com

This will be the 44th traditional wine festival that celebrates the famous Chianti wine in the heart of the Chianti region in Tuscany. Tastings, stalls, music and more await the visitors.

MANGIALONGA, WALKING AND FOOD IN PIEDMONT
La Morra, Langhe area 31 August 2014

www.mangialonga.i

     Mangialonga is a noncompetitive walk in the wonderful hills and vineyards of La Morra, in the renowned wine producing area of the Langhe in Piedmont. It is a festive and gourmet appointment to join friends and taste the typical products of the Langhe and prestige wines. The 4km trail crosses beautiful landscapes which combine with local culinary delicacies to make it a unique event with people coming from all over the world.

NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MACARONI PASTA FROM CAMPOFILONE
Campofilone, Fermo, Marche Region  8-11 August 2014
www.comune.campofilone.fm.it
The town of Campofilone is the host of the National Festival of the macaroni pasta, its most
typical dish, prepared with only the best durum wheat and eggs, a recipe which has been handed down from mothers to daughters. The festival promotes the production of this traditional dish that can be tasted with the typical meat ragu’ in restaurants and trattorias of the town.

“CHIANINA” BEEF STEAK FESTIVAL IN CORTONA
Cortona, Tuscany  14-5 August 2014
www.cortonaweb.net
Thousands of Chanina (typical breed of this part of Tuscany) beef steaks are grilled on a 14sqm grill in the centre of the medieval town of Cortona in Tuscany. Local wines and other delicacies are on offer
to the visitors.
DOUJA D’OR : food and wine festival in Asti (Piedmont), first 15 days in Sept.

www.doujador.it

17th PARMA HAM FESTIVAL
Parma, Langhirano and all the towns of Parma ham production area.  15-21 September 2014

www.festivaldelprosciuttodiparma.com

     Festival del Proscuitto di Parma, the festival of that well known ham is held in the city with the same name. Each year this annual celebration brings over 100,000 visitors to the area, to partake of more than 1,000 different types of ham. One of the main attractions of the festival is the “Open Doors” tradition of the ham factories, which offers visitors a unique chance to discover that the 10 million Parma Hams produced each year by the 164 companies of the Parma Ham Consortium, are still made today like they were two thousand years ago, using only two ingredients: the prized Italian pig leg and a pinch of sea salt.

FESTIVALS, MUSIC AND OTHER EVENTS
LA NOTTE ROSA - PINK NIGHT
Adriatic coast of Emilia Romagna  5-6 July 2014

www.lanotterosa.it

     For one night the entire Riviera turns pink. There will be shows, events, theatre sets, and scenery. Each resort will interpret the theme in a creative and original way. The whole Riviera will become an enormous stage where everyone has a part to play. La Notte Rosa takes place all along the coast, from the Lidos of Comacchio to Cattolica, but the heart of the event is the Riviera of Rimini.

BICENTENNIAL OF NAPOLEON’S LANDING ON ELBA ISLAND
Island of Elba, Tuscany  2014-2015

www.napoleoneimperatoreelba2014.it/en/

     To celebrate 200 years from the landing of Napoleon on the Italian Island of Elba, off the coast of Tuscany, there will be a full programme of cultural and folklore events – and historical reenactments.
     Among the cultural events, there will be the exhibition of Napoleon’s field tent at the Demidoff gallery of Villa S.Martino and the reopening of Palace of the Mills following a first round of interventions aimed at restoring the original layout as wanted by the Emperor himself.
     One of the main events will be the celebrations for Napoleon’s birthday on 15 August. The programme includes dances, stalls, shows, regattas, screenings and fireworks in Portoferrato to celebrate Napoleon’s birthday on 15th August; these events are preceded by the Palio of the antenna of PortoAzzurro on 14th August and the re-enactment of his meeting with Maria Waleska at the Madonna del Monte Sanctuary in Marciana, all the way until 26th February 2015, when the Emperor left and sailed towards the Golfe-Juan to meet his definitive fate, ranging from the success of Paris to the smashing defeat of Waterloo.

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL
Venice, 27 August – 6 Sept 2014 (programme tbc)
www.labiennale.org
     Venice will host the 71st. 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.

FESTIVALETTERATURA
Mantova –3-7 September 2014
www.festivaletteratura.it
This will be the 18th edition of the Festival of Literature and offers cultural events, readings, shows,
concerts, all full of fun and originality.

FOLKLORE AND HISTORICAL EVENTS
QUINTANA OF ASCOLI PICENO
Ascoli Piceno – 5 August 2014

www.quintanadiascoli.it

     Ascoli Piceno in the Marche region, hosts each year the historical Quintana, a re-enactment of Medieval customs and practices. The participants are dressed in Medieval costumes and walk in procession along the streets of the city in each “sestiere” (city quarter), followed by flag bearers and archers. In the restaurants of the city one can taste typical food and wine and the festivities culminate with the blessing of the knights participanting to the Palio by the city’s Bishop and the Palio itself.

CAVALCATA DELL’ASSUNTA in FERMO (Marche)
Fermo – Le Marche - August 15th 2014
www.cavalcatadellassunta.it
     The ten “Contrade” (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.

THE PALIO OF SIENA
Siena – July 2nd/ August 16th 2014
www.comune.siena.it
     Siena celebrates its most ancient and sacred ritual: horses and riders representing ten of Siena’s seventeen contrade, or districts, race around the ring of tufo rock that covers the Piazza del Campo. On 2 July and 16 August the long afternoon begins in the heart of each contrada with the blessing of the horses, followed by the historical parade to the piazza. Finally, there is the race itself:the victorious contrada bears the banner triumphantly to the Provenzano Basilica for the “te deum” thanksgiving to the Madonna ( 2 June) or to the Madonna Assunta (16 August).

PALIO DEI NORMANNI DI PIAZZA ARMERINA
Piazza Armerina, Sicily – 12,13, 14 August 2014
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 reenactment 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.

MEDIEVALIS, MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL
Pontremoli, Tuscany  21-24 August 2014

www.medievalis.org

     “Medievalis” is the a Medieval festival that occurs every year in Pontremoli in northern Tuscany. It re-enacts the concession of the status of free Municipality to Pontremoli in 1226 by Emperor Frederick II. For 4 days Pontremoli re-lives this event with groups of actors dressed and Medieval knights and dames, horse-drawn carriages, merchants all dressed in traditional costumes. There willbe duels, falcon games, dinners with typical dishes of the 13th century and jousting tournaments and more.

BRAVIO DELLE BOTTI
Montepulciano, Siena   Last Sunday of August , 24 August 2014
www.braviodellebotti.com
     The eight districts of Montepulciano compete to win a painted banner by rolling 80 kg barrels
uphill along a 1,800 metre route. The route is chosen in advance, and there are eight starting points, set out in two rows. Each district’s barrel is placed in the position assigned to it by the lot that is drawn on the morning of the race. As the bell tolls in the Town Hall bell tower the umpire gives the signal for the race tostart. Two men, the “pushers”, roll the barrels along the competition route, winding up through the streets of the old town centre of Montepulciano to the Cathedral churchyard in the Piazza Grande. In the days leading up to the race Montepulciano celebrates the traditional Candle Procession, with a parade though the city streets in period costume, lit only by torchlight.

THE MACCHINA DI SANTA ROSA PROCESSION
Viterbo - September 3rd 2014
www.facchinidisantarosa.it
     The Medieval town of Viterbo in Lazio celebrate 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 team of strong local men.

SAGRA DEL FUOCO – FIRE FESTIVAL
Recco (Genoa) From 6th to 8th September,
www.sagradelfuoco.it
The celebrations in honour of the N.S. del Suffragio are known all over Italy, for the firework displays, which explode to illuminate the sky of Recco. It is the 7 quarters of Recco which challenge each other; they avail themselves of the best Italian masters of fireworks displays. In concomitance, the solemn procession of 8th September takes place; it unwinds through the roads of the town with the Arca Argentea Suffragina and the magnificent wooden Crucifixes of the Ligurian Brotherhoods.

HISTORICAL REGATTA
Venice – 7 September 2014

www.regatastoricavenezia.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.

ARCO ASBURGICA (HABSBURG ARCO)
Arco in Trentino 7 13-14 September 2014

www.arcoasburgica.it
     Arco is a town in Trentino and every year it revives the atmosphere of past times, when the Empress Sissi of Habsburg used to holiday here with her court. Girls dressed as dames and men as gentlemen in typical Habsburg costumes fill the streets of the town, music, dances and finally a Habsburg afternoon
tea will entertain the visitors.

PALIO DI ASTI in Asti, Piedmont
Asti, 21 September 2014

www.palio.asti.it

     One of the oldest Palio’s in Italy this event sees 21 contestants relive the ancient tradition of the
Palio in the historic centre of this Piedmont town, famous for its sparkling wine, the Asti
spumante. In the days preceding the race, visitors can enjoy many other events: the Palio of the Flag-wavers, the flea market, the trials of the jockeys on the field. The Palio itself is a difficult challenge requiring all the participants’ strengths and skill, as only one of them will win possession of the crimson banner .

SPORT

89th EDITION OF THE PALIO DEL GOLFO
3 August 2014, La Spezia

www.paliodelgolfo.it

     The thirteen hamlets of the Gulf compete to win the Palio aboard handmade boats built by local craftsmen,with special characteristics that make them agile and fast. The sport competition is preceded by parades, events, shows and meetings, which liven up the entire town for days; it finishes late in the evening on the first Sunday of August, with fireworks displays.

BARCOLANA – SAIL RACE
Trieste – 12 October 2014

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.

For Information on travels in Italy: 

www.italia.it/en/home.html

www.italiantouristboard.co.uk/

www.abbeytravel.ie/travel-deals/italy/italy.aspx
www.budgettravel.ie/cheap-sun-holidays/europe/italy-holidays.aspx
www.clickandgo.com/destinations/ski/lake-garda
www.crystalsummer.ie/holidays/italy
www.flavourofitaly.net/en/content/60-travel
www.italy.ie
www.lowcostholidays.ie/italy-holidays
www.sunway.ie/sunholidays
www.topflight.ie/Italy-from-Ireland‎

www.aerlingus.com
www.ryanair.com