Calendar Of Italian Events 2010

Major events include: celebrations, festivals and events, art exhibitions, sport events, historical commemorations, the most popular carnivals, Easter celebrations, new museums and art spaces….

SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS AND ANNIVERSARIES

EXPOSITION OF THE HOLY SHROUD OF TURIN
www.sindone.org

From 10 April to 23 May, Turin will be once again the centre of Christian religion: after ten years, the Holy Shroud will be making one of its rare appearances at the Duomo of Turin. This is the first public display of the Shroud after its “restoration” in 2002 in which the sections burnt in the fire at Chambéry of 1532 were removed and the Shroud was placed on a new support. Pope Benedict XVI will visit the cathedral on 2nd May 2010.

300TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF GIOVANNI BATTISTA PERGOLESI
Jesi, near Ancona, throughout 2010
www.fondazionepergolesispontini.com

The town of Jesi in the Marche celebrates the genius of the great 18th century composer, Giovanni Battista Pergolesi with a rich programme which will include all his works of sacred music and operas.

GIORGIONE EXHIBITION, 500th anniversary of his death
Castelfranco Veneto, near Treviso
Until 11 April 2010
www.giorgione2010.it

Five hundred years after his death, a great event celebrates the genius and greatness of an artist who has created some of the most emblematic works of the Italian Renaissance. For the first time ever, the genius, greatness and charm of Giorgione’s early works are displayed in his hometown. A new and original survey enables visitors to admire the masterpieces from the first phase in Giorgione’s career, alongside those by artists he was in contact with during his short life, including Giovanni Bellini, Lorenzo Costa, Carpaccio, Perugino, Sebastiano del Piombo, Palma the Elder, Leonardo, Raphael and Titian.

ART EXIBITIONS

BOLDINI and the other Italians in Paris
Rome – Chiostro del Bramante
Until 14 March 2010
www.chiostrodelbramante.it

The Chiostro del Bramante offers an important exhibition for the 2009-2010 season dedicated to Giovanni Boldini and other Italian artists who were living in Paris in the second half of the 19th century.

CARAVAGGIO
in Rome, Scuderie del Quirinale 18 Feb – 13 Jun 2010
www.scuderiedelquirinale.it

The exhibition, which is under the patronage of the President of the Republic, has been planned to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the death of the great artist.

LA FORMA DEL RINASCIMENTO (The shape of the Renaissance)
Rome, Palazzo Venezia Museum
From Feb 2010
www.turismoroma.it

Donatello, Andrea Bregna, Michelangelo and sculpture in Rome in the 1400s
The exhibition analyses the cultural, geographical and artistic influence of these fathers of Rome’s Renaissance art

BACK TO BAROQUE
Naples, various locations
Until 11 April 2010
www.inaples.it

This is an initiative that tells the story of the Baroque as a passion for life and as a passion for art. It is an event that involves the city of Naples and its environs in a dense programme of exhibitions in six of the city’s museums and numerous other initiatives that encompass art, architecture, music and theatre.
Back to Baroque documents and examines aspects, events and genres that characterized the artistic culture of Naples from Caravaggio´s arrival there in 1606 to the activities of Luigi Vanvitelli and Ferdinando Fuga (1750) and Charles III’s departure for Spain. This is an extraordinary ensemble, distributed among churches, palazzos and museums which, despite the shadows that have fallen over Naples in more recent times, remains nevertheless an exceptional opportunity to relive the ?Baroque? fantasies, colourful dreams that still animate the city´s soul.

FIRENZE SCIENZA: 19th-century Collections, Places and Personalities
Florence, Institute and Museum of the History of Science
Until 9 May 2010
www.imss.fi.it

The purpose of the exhibition is to evoke the extraordinary period prior to the Unification of Italy when Florence was one of the European capitals of scientific knowledge. In the first half of the XIX century, technological development and interest for science profoundly influenced Italian and European society, with inedited progress in every field of science, from mathematics to physics, from chemistry to biology.

BRONZINO, ARTIST AND POET
in Palazzo Strozzi in Florence
24 Sept 2010 – 23 Jan 2011
www.palazzostrozzi.org

A definitive exhibition of works by one of the most celebrated 16th century artist who embodied the fullness of the “modern manner” under the patronage of the Medici family in Florence.

CONTEMPORARY ART Torino Piemonte
November 2010 – January 2011
www.turismotorino.org

Simply by strolling through the town there are creations of contemporary art to be enjoyed along the streets, works by renowned international artists such as Mario Merz, Daniel Buren and Rebecca Horn to name just a few. These form part of the “Luci d’Artista”, a colourful, open-air spectacle.
And with CONTEMPORARY ART Torino Piemonte, a calendar full of projects including visual arts, music, theatre and design, Turin is increasingly confirmed as Italy’s capital of contemporary art.

FROM JACOPO DELLA QUERCIA TO DONATELLO, art in Siena in Early Renaissance
Siena, Santa Maria della Scala Museum
26 March – 11 July 2010
www.terresiena.it

This important exhibition highlights the artistic wealth of Siena in the early Renaissance period. Painting, sculptures, drawings, miniatures, precious cloths and jewellery will all be on show with major works by Beccafumi, Duccio da Buoninsegna, Lorenzetti, Jacopo della Quercia and Donatello.

NEW MUSEUMS AND ART SPACES

MACRO and MACRO FUTURE
www.macro.roma.museum

The MACRO comes on the scene as one of the most important centres for artistic and cultural activities at national and international levels. The opening of the NEW MACRO, to be constructed next to the original building on a design by the French architect Odile Decq, will mark the completion of the restyling of the Museum, which aims to be a centre of reference and debate for contemporary international art. The entire complex will house the permanent collection, artist workshops and residence, teaching space, exhibition rooms, the bookshop and the Art Cafè and restaurant.

MAXXI, Museum of the Art of the XXI century
www.maxxi.beniculturali.it

The MAXXI is a large centre dedicated to culture but also a workshop for experimentation, study and research designed by Zaha Hadid. Costing a total of 150 milion euros, the futuristic and revolutionary Museum of Twenty-First Century Art will make its début among international museum and exhibition institutions concerned with architectural issues in the spring of 2010.

THE LAVINIUM ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF POMEZIA, near Rome
www.museopomezia.it

The Museum, located in the municipality of Pomezia, conserves the most important archaeological finds in the Pontine area. The remains on display and the multi-media presentations tend to place the emphasis on the religious aura surrounding the ancient Latium locality: the large sanctuaries dedicated to Minerva and the 13 altars – the latter sanctuary being connected to the Heroon of Aeneas – are the main themes developed in the Museum. The Museum, located on the site of the ancient city near the picturesque town of Borgo di Pratica di Mare – which in the Middle Ages was heir to Lavinium – offers guided visits which are often built around a particular theme; organizes exhibitions and conferences; and develops learning workshops in agreement with teaching staff. It is also possible to obtain information on admission to the main archaeological areas of the town and its surroundings. A book shop has just been inaugurated.

THE BARBERINI VINEYARD ON THE PALATINE AND THE SEVERIAN WALLS

A visit of the Palatine will now include the “Vigna Barberini”, a terrace measuring 110 metres by 150 metres, opened to the public on 26 October 2009. The property had not been accessible to public visits since 1909 when ownership was transferred from the Barberini family to the State. Also open now are the Severian Walls also previously inaccessible to the public.

FESTIVALS AND OTHER CULTURAL EVENTS

STRESA FESTIVAL
Stresa – August 23th / September 4th, 2010
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.

BIENNALE ART
Venice – May 26th / October 2nd, 2010
www.labiennale.org
The 53th International Art Exhibition incorporates some changes starting from the remodelling of the Italia Pavillion.

ARENA DI VERONA
Verona – June 18th / August 29th, 2010
www.arena.it

This will be the 88th edition of the International Opera Festival. The 2010 calendar offers five operas, Turandot, Aida, Carmen, Madame Butterfly, Il Trovatore in the Roman Amphitheatre, which welcomes once again artists and public in its magnificent setting.

BOLZANO DANZA
Bolzano – July 19th / 31st, 2010
www.bolzanodanza.it

The charming setting of Castel Firmiano hosts the Festival Bolzano Danza. The calendar includes opening shows and side events alike.

52nd FESTIVAL DEI DUE MONDI
Spoleto – June / July, 2010
www.festivaldispoleto.com

This international art, culture and music festival is regarded as one of the most important
cultural events in Italy. Its program distinguishes itself for outstanding original,
innovative and, at times, exclusive performances.

56th PUCCINI FESTIVAL
Torre del Lago – June 16th / August 22th, 2010
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 2010 are: La Fanciulla del West, Turandot, Madama Butterfly, Tosca, plus ballet: Carmina Burana, Le Villi and Romeo and Juliet.

FESTIVAL TERME CARACALLA
Roma – July 1st / August 8th, 2010
www.operaroma.it

The Roman Opera Festival benefits from its privileged and outstanding setting in the Caracalla Baths. On stage this year operas such as Aida and Rigoletto and ballet such as Rome and Juliet.

MAGGIO MUSICALE FIORENTINO
Teatro Comunale – Florence – April 29th / June 22nd, 2010
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

SFERISTERIO OPERA FESTIVAL
Macerata – July 29th/ August 10th
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 half-circumference shaped plan from the name of the game played inside: the “armband ball” or Pallone col bracciale. This year the programme includes: Faust, La Forza del Destino, I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata, Attila.

MUSICA RIVA FESTIVAL
Riva del Garda (TN) –July 17th /August 2nd
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.

FESTIVAL OF THE MIND
Sarzana. September 3/5
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.

MITO SETTEMBRE MUSICA
Turin and Milan
From 3 to 26 September 2010 – various locations
4th 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 8/12
www.festivaletteratura.it

This is the fourteenth edition of the festival and offers cultural events, readings, shows, concerts, all full of fun and originality.

SCIENCE FESTIVAL
Genova – 29th October/ November 7th 2010
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.

SALONE INTERNAZIONALE DEL GUSTO E TERRA MADRE
Turin
From 21 to 25 October 2010
www.turismotorino.org

An autumn of taste with this major international event organised by Slow Food, an exhibition-market entirely dedicated to high quality food and wine: delicacies from every part of the world attracting those in the trade, journalists, connoisseurs and ordinary visitors. Also comes with very interesting workshops and meetings on dietary education. At the same time, there will also be organised Terra Madre: hundreds of “food communities” coming from all over the world to defend sustainable agriculture, fishing and livestock farming and to preserve the taste and biodiversity of food.

SPORT

MARATHON OF ROME
Rome – March 21th
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.

WORLD FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIP
22 – 28 March 2010
www.turismotorino.org

From 22 to 28 March, Turin will be on the world’s sports stage by hosting the 100th ISU World Figure Skating Championships. The Palavela facilities will be where the most important skating competition after the Olympics will be taking place with over 200 skaters from all around the world.

GIRO D’ITALIA 2010
Starts on May 8th 2010 in Amsterdam
www.gazzetta.it

The Giro d’Italia, which celebrated its first hundred years in 2009, dates back to May 13 1909. The Giro will start abroad for the 9th time in its history with the first stage in Amsterdam

MILLE MIGLIA
May 5-9 2010
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 2010 edition plans a departure from Brescia, journeying through Bologna, Urbino, San Marino, Rome with a stopover at Castel Sant’Angelo and then back to Brescia via Viterbo, Siena and Florence.

BARCOLANA – SAIL RACE
Trieste – 2nd Sunday of October
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 – Spring 2010 May 15/16
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 – May 15
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 2010 8/9 /15/22/28/30
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.

LUMINARA AND RACE OF SAN RANIERI
Lungarno – Pisa – June 16 and 17 2010

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 – third Sunday of July (17 September 2010)
www.comune.venezia.it
Events and Festivals section
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 – first Sunday of September (5 September 2010)
www.comune.venezia.it
Events section
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 – 3th and 13th June
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 – August 2 and 16
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

QUINTANA OF ASCOLI PICENO
Ascoli Piceno – First Sunday of August (01 August 2010)
www.quintanaonline.it

La Quintana, Ascoli’s jousting tournament, one of he most authentic and exciting of these Medieval shows in the Marche, dates back to the IX Century when the Saracens invaded the territory of Piceni. It takes place in the main square on the first Sunday of August. The high point of the games is when riders from the city’s six districts tilt with lances for the target. The day also includes a massive procession with around 1,400 town’s people dressed in 15thC costume and plenty of side-shows and open-air eating places.

GIOSTRA CAVALLERESCA D’EUROPA
Sulmona. July 31th and August 1st
www.giostrasulmona.it

The knight’s joust of Sulmona. Only the suburbs and the districts of the medieval town (this year still seven out of eleven) take part in the new Joust, which is performed on the traditional ground of Piazza Maggiore. Every single competitor will gallop along the race-route trying to insert the spear into rings of different sizes hanging from the templates placed along the race-route. At the end of the first part, the four people with the best score will compete to determine the couple which will fight for victory. According to the old tradition of the joust the winner district will be awarded the Palio whereas the rider will be presented with a golden chain with a medal showing the symbol of Sulmona with the first letters of the famous Ovid’s hemistich “Sulmo mihi patria est”.

PALIO DEI NORMANNI DI PIAZZA ARMERINA
Piazza Armerina, Sicily. August 12\14
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 – 3 September 2010
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 3 September 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.

THE FESTIVAL OF “MADONNA DELLA SALUTE”
Venice – 21 November 2010
www.comune.venezia.it
Events and Festivals Section
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 6/16 February 2010
www.carnevale.venezia.it

For the 2010 edition all the major Venetian cultural institutions: the Biennale, Teatro La Fenice and Teatro Stabile del Veneto will co-operate in the implementation of a cultural project Carnival of Venice, under the artistic direction of Mark Balice entitled “Sensation 6 Sensi x 6 Sestieri”. A programme of events will take place in all its six districts to experience the new edition of Sensation 2010.

CARNIVAL OF VIAREGGIO
Viareggio – 31 January / 7-14-16-21 February 2010
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 : 31 Jan, 7, 14, 16 and 21 February 2010. Other events include: big parties, sports events, slang theatre show, food stalls etc.

CARNIVAL OF HISTORIC IVREA
Ivrea – Torino – from 13 to 16 February 2010
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. 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 – 31 January / 7-14-21 February 2010
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 – 31 January and 7 February 2010
www.carnevaledeifiglidibocco.it

On 31 January and 7 February in Castiglion Fibocchi, a town near Arezzo, will take place the 14th 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 CHILDREN S. HERACLES
Offida – Ascoli Piceno – 17 January/ 6-11-12-13-14-15-16 February 2010
www.inoffida.it

The Offida Carnival dates back to 1700 and focuses on two events: “Bov Fint” (the fake ox corrida) and the extraordinary parade of “Vlurd” which, taking place the last day, represents the end of Carnival. Local people and worldwide visitors come to Offida Carnival not to passively admire elegant float parades, but to get completely involved in a real folk feast where, apart from rules and social conventions, enjoyment is compulsory, as if everyone were an actor whose symbolic performances unfold the most vital and instinctive forces.

CARNIVAL OF ACIREALE
Acireale – Catania – 30 and 31 January / 6-7-11-12-13-14-15-16 February 2010
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, 31 Jan- 28 Feb 2010
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. Shows on: 31 Jan, 7, 14, 21 and 28 Feb 2010. More info at:

EASTER CELEBRATIONS

THE EXPLOSION OF THE CART
Florence – Easter Sunday – 4 April 2010
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 – 29 March/ 4 April 2010
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 2
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 from 29 March to 4 April
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.

THE RITES OF PASSION IN BARILE (BASILICATA)
Barile – Potenza – Holy Friday 2 April 2010
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

Modica – Ragusa – “MARONNE vasa vasa” – Easter Sunday 4 April 2010
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 4 April 2010
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 4 April 2010
“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” Holy Friday 2 April 2010
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.