|
Italy Through the year
Throughout Italy, the variety of local character and colour is astonishing this is mainly due to the survival of regionalism, particularly in the southern parts of the country. Old traditions, customs and lifestyles are still greatly respected and there is a deep attachment to the land, which is reflected in a healthy interest in the food and produce, as well as a perseverance of seasonal religious and secular events. Annual festivals, whether in rural or urban areas, range from wine-tasting and gastronomic celebrations to elaborate commemoration of every patron saint imaginable.
Spring
The Italian spring begins early, particularly in the south. City streets and main sights are rarely overcrowded (except at Easter in Rome). The weather, however, can be unpredictable and wet in the central and northern parts of the country. Spring specialities, such as asparagus, spinach and artichokes, begin to feature on restaurant menus. This is a season of great celebrations; festivals and fairs abound, especially in Sicily, and the Easter papal address always draws massive crowds to St Peter’s.
March
- Mostra Vini Spumanti (mid-mar), Madonna di Campiglio, Trentino-Alto Adige. Fair celebrating sparkling wine.
- SA Sartiglia, Oristano Sardinia. Three-day carnival ending on Shrove Tuesday.
- Su e Zo per I ponti (Sun, varies), Venice. A lively race throught the city’s streets, up and down the bridges.
April
- Procession of the Grieving Madonna (good Friday), Procida, Campania. A colourful religious procession throughout the country the island.
- Holy Week (Easter week) Numerous Easter celebration from Palm Sunday, throughout the country.
- Papal Address (Easter Sunday), Rome. The pope makes his Easter address from the Vatican.
- Dance of the Devils and Death (Easter Sunday), Prizzi, Sicily. Dance recital symbolizing the attempts of evil to vanquish the forces of God.
- Scoppio del Carro (Easter Sunday) Florence. Firework display is lit by a mechanical dove in front of the Duomo.
- Festa della Madonna che scappa in Piazza (Easter Sunday) Sulmona, Abruzzo. Re-enactment of a meeting between the Virgin and the Risen Christ.
- Festa degli Aquiloni (first Sun after Easter), San Miniato, Tuscany. Kite lovers perform aerial acrobatics at this festival.
- Festa di San marco (25 April), Venice St. Mark, the patron saint of Venice, is commemorated by a gondola race across St Mark’s Basin.
- Mostra mercato internazionale dell’Artigianato (last week), Florence. An important European exhibition of arts and crafts.
- Sagra Musicale Lucchese (Apr-Jul), Lucca Tuscany. Festival of sacred music held in Romanesque churches.
May
- Festa di sant’ Efisio (1 may), Cagliari Sardinia. Paraders in traditional Sardinian costume.
- Festa di san Nicola (7-9 May), Bari, Puglia. A statue of St Nicholas is taken to the sea.
- Festa dei Ceri (15 may) Gubbio, Umbria Festival including a race with four teams carrying large candles.
- Festa di San Domenico Abate (first Thu), Cocullo Abruzzo. Includes a procession with a statue of St Dominic covered with leave snakes.
- Festa della mela (late may), Ora (Auer) Trentino-Alto Adige. An Annual “Festival of the Apple”
- Greek Drama in Theatre (May-June) Syracuse, Sicily, Festival of Greek Drama.
- Maggio Musicale (May-Jun), Florence. This is the city’s biggest arts festival, including music, drama and dance
Summer
Summer brings the crowds to Italy, particularly the cities. Italians, however, flee and head for the coast, usually in August. The queues for tourist attractions can be long and hotels are often fully booked. Festivals vary; religious event are interspersed with those of the arts and local folklore.
June
- Festa della fragola, (1 Jun), borgo San Marino, Piedmont. Musical and folkloric performances in celebration of the strawberry.
- Biennale (Jun-Sept), Venice. The world’s biggest exhibition of contemporary art takes place during odd-numbered years only.
- Infiorata (Corpus Christi day), Genzano, Lazio. A procession trought streets carpeted with flowers.
- Festa di San Giovanni (mid-jun – mid-Jul), turin Piedmont. Festival in honour of the city’s patron saint, John.
- Calcio Storico (24 jun and two others days in jun), Florence. Football in 16th century costumes; fireworks.
- Festa di Sant’Andrea (27 Jun), Amalfi Campania. Fireworks and processions.
- Festival dei Due Mondi (late jun-earlu jul), Spoleto, Umbria. International festival of drama, music and dance.
- Gioco del Ponte (last sun) Pisa. “The Bridge Parade” of marchers in antique armour.
- Estate Romana (late jun mid-Sept), Roma. Open air, cinema, performances, ballet and concert.
July
- Corsa del palio (2 July), Siena. Tuscany’s most famous event presents a medieval flag –waving exhibition and horse race.
- Festa della Madonna della Bruna (first Sun), Matera Basilicata. A lively procession of clergymen and knights in costume.
- Festa dei Noiantri (last two week of july), Roma. A colourful festival in the streets of Trastevere.
- Festa della Santa Maria del Carmine (16 jul) Naples. Featuring the illumination of the city’s bell tower.
- Umbia Jezz(Jul), Perugia. World-famous jazz artists perform.
- International Film Festival (jul-Aug), Taormina, Sicily
- Opera Festival ( jul-Aug), Verona, Veneto. Renowned opera festival overlapping with the Shakespeare Festival , providing music drama, opera and dance.
August
- Medieval Palio (first week-end of Aug) Feltre, Veneto. Parades and archery competitions, medieval-style.
- Festa del Mare (15 Aug), Diano Marina, Liguria. This is festival of the Sea” boasts a spectacular firework display
- Festa dei Candelieri (14 Aug), Sassari, Sardinia. “Festival of the Candle” dating from the 16th century.
- Corsa del Palio (16 Aug) Siena, Tuscany. See july entry.
- Venice Film Festival (late Aug-early Sep). International Festival on the Lido.
- Rossini Festival (Aug-Sep), Pesaro, Le Marche. A celebration of the composer’s work, in his birthplace.
- Settimane Musicali di Stresa (late Aug-aen Sep), Stresa, Lombardy . Four weeks of concerts and recitals.
|
|
