2019 CALENDAR OF ITALIAN EVENTS Major events include: special celebrations, festivals and events, art exhibitions, sport events, historical re-enactments, folklore events, Carnivals, new museums and art spaces and more…. NB: information correct at time of publication, January 2019

NEW MUSEUMS, SPECIAL EVENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES MATERA – EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2019

The city of Matera in the southern region of Basilicata is European Capital of Culture for 2019, the city famous for its cave dwellings and art will host a series of celebrations and special events. Check them out on www.matera-basilicata2019.it

LEONARDO DA VINCI’S ANNIVERSARY – 500TH YEAR FROM HIS DEATH The great Leonardo da Vinci will be celebrated throughout the year on the 500th anniversary of his death. Celebrations will centre mainly in Tuscany and in Milan and Lombardy. Check them out on: www.visittuscany.com www.in-Lombardia.it www.turismo.milano.it PORTO DI CLASSE MUSEUM opens to the public Recognised in English as the ‘Ancient Port of Classe’, the Porto di Classe Museum will open on 1 December 2019, enabling visitors to explore and learn about this fascinating archaeological park and its ancient history and discovery. Founded by the Roman Emperor Augusto, Porto di Classe was known for being prosperous during the Roman Empire, Theodoric’s Empire and the Byzantine Period. The archaeological area is located 4km from the centre of Ravenna, a region that throughout this period was known for being politically and economically strong, and during this time the port served incredible importance as a commercial harbour. Today, visitors can follow an illustrated route or take a guided tour where they can relive the streets and buildings around the dock, which date back to the 5th Century. www.parcoarcheologicodiclasse.it/en NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF AQUILEIA

136 years after its opening, the National Archaeological Museum (MAN) of Aquileia in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region has been completely restored with themed rooms, new installations, more accessible spaces and a more complete and accessible history. The new setup focuses on the rediscovery and enhancement of the ancient city of Aquileia and its relationship with the region

http://www.museoarcheologicoaquileia.beniculturali.it/en/1/home

EXHIBITIONS MILAN PALAZZO REALE http://www.palazzorealemilano.it/wps/portal/luogo/palazzorealeEN Antonello da Messina 21 Feb – 2 Jun.2019 Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres 9 Mar – 23 Jun.2019 Pre-Raphaelites and Italy 19 Jun – 6 Oct.2019 Giorgio de Chirico 25 Sep. 2019 – 19 Jan.2020 Thannhauser Collection of the Guggenheim Museum Oct.2019 – Feb. 2020 Federico Fellini Dec 2019 – Feb 2020 MUSEO DEL NOVECENTO Filippo de Pisis 4 Oct.2019 – 1 Mar.2020 http://www.museodelnovecento.org/it/ FLORENCE Verrocchio, Leonardo’s master 8 mar- 14 Jul 2019 Palazzo Strozzi www.palazzostrozzi.org The origins of Genius – Leonardo 15 Apr – 15 Oct 2019 Vinci, Leonardo’s birth place Museo Leonardiano www.museoleonardiano.it 500th anniversary of the birth of Cosimo de’ Medici (court life, army, artworks from the time of Cosimo Medici) 6 June – 29 Sept. 2019 www.uffizi.it Bronze sculpture in the Florence of the last Medicis 19 Sep 2019 – 12 Jan 2020 Palazzo Pitti www.uffizi.it Florence Biennale 18-27 Oct 2019 Fortezza da Basso www.florencebiennale.org FERRARA Boldrini and fashion February 16 – June 2, 2019

Palazzo dei Diamanti, Ferrara: www.palazzodiamanti.it PRATO Leonardo da Vinci, the genius and the cloth manifacturing Until 26 May 2019 Prato, Museo del Tessuto http://www.museodeltessuto.it/leonardo/ SYRACUSE, SICILY Archimede a Siracusa Until 21 Dec 2019 Syracuse, Galleria Civica Montevergini https://www.mostraarchimede.it/ FORLI’ 19th century. Italian art from Hayes to Segantini 09 Feb 2019 – 16 Jun 2019 Forlì, Musei San Domenico www.mostraottocento.com VENICE Arshile Gorky 1904-1948 8 May – 22 Sep. 2019 Ca’ Pesaro, Modern Art Museum http://capesaro.visitmuve.it/

CARNIVALS

CARNIVAL OF VENICE Venice (Veneto); 16 Feb. - 5 Mar. 2019 www.carnevale.venezia.it The Venice Carnival is a vibrant and colourful fortnight of costumes and masks. During the Carnival celebrations, Venice turns into an even more magical place. Every corner of this fabled city on the water flourishes with shows, music and parades. As in the past, private parties and masquerade balls still happen inside the Serenissima’s grand noble palaces. However, the most spectacular moments of the Venetian carnival - such as the “Flight of the Angel” and the “Festa delle Marie” – will take place at the St Mark’s Square, which becomes the centre of an amazing, open-air party. CARNIVAL OF VIAREGGIO Viareggio (Tuscany); 9, 17, 23 Feb. – 3, 5 Mar. 2019 www.carnevale-viareggio.it

Among Italy’s most flamboyant events in Italy, particular mention goes to the Carnival of Viareggio. The floats made in papier-mâché are the stars of this carnival; huge, majestic, and thought-provoking, they are inspired by Italian and international politics and other current events, often represented in satire form, most times with a lot of irreverence. These parades draw thousands of visitors of all ages, who come to participate in the festive air that can be breathed in the town on the days of the masquerade processions. Events include big parties, sports

events, slang theatre show and food stalls. CARNIVAL OF CENTO

Cento (Emilia-Romagna); 10, 17, 24 Feb. – 3, 10 Mar. 2019 www.carnevalecento.com The Carnival of Cento is one of the most extravagant festivals in Europe, twinned with the Brazilian Carnival for the style of its allegorical floats, the beautiful costumes and for the riotous fun. It involves the whole city of Cento – located in Emilia-Romagna Region, near Ferrara – and it is dedicated to the arts, crafts and traditions of the area. Every year the Carnival hosts many famous guest stars for the world of culture, sport, entertainment, as well as beautiful floats made in papier-mâché. HISTORIC CARNIVAL OF IVREA Ivrea (Piedmont); 2 – 5 Mar. 2019 www.storicocarnevaleivrea.it

The Carnival of Ivrea is one of the oldest and most particular festivals in Italy. Every year its world-renowned “Battle of the Oranges” (Battaglia delle arance) is opened by the traditional sounds of pipe and drum bands. The battle - which involves some thousands of townspeople who throw oranges at each other - represents the fight for liberty and has become the symbol of the Carnival of Ivrea; an incredible cultural and goliardic heritage that make this Carnival an “Italian Event of International Importance”.

CARNIVAL OF FANO Fano (Marche); 17, 24 Feb. – 3 Mar. 2019 www.carnevaledifano.com The Carnival of Fano is one of the oldest Carnival in Italy and the biggest in the Marche Region. Allegorical floats and masks, masquerades, shows and fireworks all form part of it. However, what really makes this Carnival special is the launch of tons of sweets from the floats to the crowds of spectators, as well as the particular music that accompany the Carnival - the Arabita - which is played with both musical instruments and different other objects.

FESTIVALS AND OTHER CULTURAL EVENTS THE SANREMO “FESTIVAL DELLA CANZONE ITALIANA” Sanremo (Liguria); 5-9 Feb. 2019 www.sanremo.rai.it The Italian Song Festival of Sanremo (also known as Festival di Sanremo) is the most important musical event of the Italian art scene and a major media event on Italian television. It was broadcast on the radio in 1951, a few years after the end of World War II; nowadays, it is held annually in the Ariston Theatre of Sanremo, the famous city of flowers and music in Italy. The Festival sees unreleased songs composed by Italian authors with Italian lyrics compete; the winner, voted by a jury and by popular vote, represents Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest. VERONA IN LOVE Verona (Veneto); 11 - 14 February 2019 www.veronainlove.it Held on Valentine’s Day, plus a few days before and after, Verona in Love is the event dedicated to Love and to Lovers. In these days, red hart lanterns and hundreds of love notes fill the streets, while live concerts, tastings and markets take place in the main squares of the city. The festival is a tribute to San Valentine and to the Shakespearian tragedy of Romeo and Juliet; therefore, tourists can visit Juliet’s house for a special price. RAVELLO FESTIVAL Villa Rufolo, Ravello (Amalfi Coast, Campania); 1 Apr. – 1 Nov. 2019 www.ravelloarts.org

Music, theatre, opera, dance and arts – these are the main components of Ravello Festival, the event that, over time, has earned this small town on the Amalfi Coast the nickname of the “City of Music”. From spring to autumn, Ravello becomes the perfect destination for the music lovers who, far from the city crowds, can meet and listen to the concerts in the gardens and the rooms of Villa Rufolo, the place that inspired Wagner for the setting of his Parsifal. CILIEGI IN FIORE – BLOOMING CHERRY TREES FESTIVAL IN VIGNOLA Vigona (Emilia Romagna); 23 Mar. - 14 Apr. 2019 www.emiliaromagnaturismo.com Located in the province of Modena, at the beginning of the so-called “Food and Wine Trail”, Vignola is a Renaissance town that has been celebrating the production of outstanding cherry trees for 40 years. During the Ciliegi in Fiore Festival the entire town blooms with cherry trees, 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.

CLASSICAL GREEK THEATRE FESTIVAL IN SIRACUSA Siracusa (Sicily) 9 May – 6 July 2019 www.indafondazione.org Theatrical Classical Greek representations in the magical atmosphere of the Greek Theatre in Siracusa. This year’s programme includes plays by Euripides and Aristophanes. ARENA DI VERONA Verona (Veneto); www.arena.it

The International Opera Festival presents a rich calendar of events. The operas to be performed this year are: Il Trovatore, Aida, Carmen, La Traviata, Tosca, Carmina Burana and a Gala with acclaimed ballet star Roberto Bolle and one with Placido Domingo. Arena di Verona welcomes once again artists and public in its magnificent setting.

LA NOTTE ROSA – PINK NIGHT Adriatic coast of Emilia Romagna and Marche, 6-7 July 2019 www.lanotterosa.it For one night the entire Riviera (Romagna and Marche) 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 will take place all along the coast, from the Lidos of Comacchio to Senigallia, but the heart of the event is the Riviera of Rimini. It’s an event that attracts thousands of Italians to head to the Adriatic coast and is quickly becoming an international attraction UMBRIA JAZZ Perugia (Umbria); 19-21 July 2019 www.umbriajazz.com From the moment of its birth in 1973, Umbria Jazz has been different from the other Italian Jazz festival. While jazz music was usually played in small clubs or, occasionally, in theatres and concert halls, Umbria Jazz brought this genre into the historic town squares of Umbria to audiences of up to twenty thousand young people. The concerts are free and performed in the setting of Umbria’s medieval towns. It was this unusual combination that gave the Festival a special appeal.

PUCCINI FESTIVAL Torre del Lago, Viareggio (Tuscany); July – Aug. 2019 www.puccinifestival.it

Puccini Festival was created by Giacomo Puccini himself in 1930 and, since then, it has been continually held from mid July to mid August. The festival takes place in the open air theatre of Torre Del Lago (Tuscany), located a few steps from “Villa Mausoleum”, the house where Puccini lived and worked; an amazing venue to enjoy the masterpieces of one of the most outstanding and esteemed Italian artists worldwide. Operas on show this year are: La Fanciulla del West, Madame Butterfly, Turandot, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly, Aida, Manon Lescaut,

Tosca and Le Villi. SFERISTERIO OPERA FESTIVAL Macerata (Marche), 19 July – 11 Aug. 2019 www.sferisterio.it The success of the Macerata Opera Festival has been largely due to the uniqueness of the Sferisterio’s stage space. Designed in 1823 by architect Ireneo Aleandri, the theatre earned its name and its half-circumference shaped plan from the game that was played within its walls: the “armband ball” or “Pallone col bracciale”. This year this beautiful open-air theatre will once again host performances of timeless stories. Red as desire (#rossodesiderio) is the theme for the 2019 Macerata Opera Festival, expressed by jealousy, power and possession in Carmen, Macbeth and Rigoletto respectively. STRESA FESTIVAL Stresa (Lake Maggiore, Lombardy); 13 July - 8 Sept. 2019 www.stresafestival.eu Stresa Festival is one the best-known classical and jazz music festivals in Europe; every year it offers performances by internationally famous artists. In 2019 Stresa Festival opens its doors to the public carrying on its tradition of excellent music, art and culture, held in a number of venues around Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and Val d’Ossola. SUMMER JAMBOREE Senigallia (Marche); 31 July - 11 Aug. 2019 www.summerjamboree.com

Summer Jamboree is the music festival dedicated to the American music and culture from the ’40s and ’50s. Live concerts, rock’n’roll, jive, doo-wop, rhythm’n’blues, hill-billy and western swing pull crowds of enthusiastic fans from all over the world. Market stalls sell juke box, hats, gadgets, guitars, vynils, CDs and other objects of that era; there will also be a ‘40s and ‘50s classic cars show.

MUSICA RIVA FESTIVAL Riva del Garda (Veneto); 21 July - 5 Aug. 2019 www.musicarivafestival.com Musica Riva is a fundamental meeting point for young musicians from around the world. With amazing performances and numerous events, 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. NOTTE DELLA TARANTA Melpignano, Salento (Apulia); 24 Aug. 2019

www.lanottedellataranta.it The Notte della Taranta is probably one of the most important festival in Europe dedicated to traditional music. It was born in 1998 as an initiative promoted by Grecìa Salentina, the area near the town of Lecce inhabited by the Griko people (an ethnic Greek minority who speak Griko, a variant of Greek). Every year the Festival collects over 200.000 spectators from all over the world; it arranges a set of itinerant concerts around the eleven municipalities of Grecìa Salentina ending at Melpignano with the famous ‘’Concertone’’. ROSSINI OPERA FESTIVAL Pesaro (Marche); 8 - 20 Aug. 2019 www.rossinioperafestival.it

Known as one of the most important operas’ events in Italy and in the world, Rossini Opera festival is dedicated to Goacchino Rossini, the famous Italian artist who was born in the city of Pesaro. This year’s edition of the festival will put on show: Semiramide, L’equivoco stravagante and Demetrio e Polibio.

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL Venice (Veneto), 28 Aug. – 7 Sept. 2019 www.labiennale.org This year the Venice’s 76th annual Film Festival will turn the city into a buzzing hub of culture. Thousands of visitors, hundreds of projections and dozens of celebrities are expected during ten days of the festival, which promises to bring an incredible atmosphere and glittering parties to the Lido of Venice, the famous Island located in the Venice Lagoon. MITO SETTEMBRE MUSICA Turin (Piedmont) and Milan (Lombardy); Sept. 2019 - www.mitosettembremusica.it Since 2007, MITO Settembre Musica has united the cities of Milano and Torino with a rich array of musical events. Developed from the thirty years experience of Settembre Musica, this Festival connects the two biggest cities in the north of Italy in a programme of refined and stirring concerts, presenting best orchestras, baroque opera, medieval and jazz music, open-air shows and night-time concerts. THE FESTIVAL OF THE MIND - FESTIVAL DELLA MENTE Sarzana (Liguria) – Sept. www.festivaldellamente.it The Festival of the Mind is the first European festival dedicated to creativity and thought processes. During the three days of the festival, which is held in Sarzana at the end of summer, Italian and international speakers submit events, lectures, performances and workshops and moments of cultural exchange; writers, artists, musicians, architects, film and theatre directors, as well as scientists and philosophers, investigate the nature of this most fascinating and mysterious human skill. FESTIVAL LETTERATURA Mantua (Lombardy); 4 - 8 Sep. 2019 www.festivaletteratura.it

Every year world-famous writers and poets, essayists, musicians, artists and scientists from all over take part to Festivaletteratura, an incredible Festival of Literature held in the World Heritage City of Mantua. By attending readings, performances, gatherings and concerts, artists and visitors can get first-hand experience of the truly unforgettable festive atmosphere.

SPORT ROME MARATHON Rome – 7 April 2019 www.maratonadiroma.it Rome marathon combines athletics and sightseeing in Italy's capital. Athletes run 42 kilometers in the footsteps of Roman emperors and gladiators, zig-zaging across by some of the most important historic sites of the city. BIKE FESTIVAL GARDA TRENTINO Riva del Garda (Trentino); 3 – 5 May 2019 www.gardatrentino.it The mountain bike season starts at the BIKE Festival Garda Trentino in Riva del Garda. Usually more than 45.000 visitors and 3.000 participants are expected on this weekend, including stars of the mountain bike international scene. The program of the event covers exhibitions, shows, competitions, performances and stunts, testing of the industry novelties and lots of fun. GIRO D’ ITALIA – TOUR OF ITALY 11 May – 2 June 2019 www.giroditalia.it

The most important bicycle race in Italy, the Giro d'Italia, dates back to May 1909 and, over time, has become an iconic race all over the world. This year the Giro will start on 11 May 2018 in Bologna and will end in Verona on 2 June.

MILLE MIGLIA 15 -18 May 2019 www.1000miglia.eu The Mille Miglia is a unique event that attracts thousands of car lovers from all over the world every year. Over the past few decades, this incredible race has brought vintage cars, traditions and emotions along a non-stop itinerary from Brescia to Rome and back. In 2019 the cars will leave Brescia on 15 May and they will arrive in Rome on Thursday 16 May. They will be then back in Brescia on Saturday 18 May, where the award ceremony will follow after the arrival. MUGELLO MOTORBIKE GRAND PRIX Scarperia, Autodromo del Mugello, 2 Jun 2019

www.mugellocircuit.it The adrenaline filled Grand Prix at the Mugello race circuit is one of the most important motorbike competition in the world.

EUROGAMES 2019 Rome; 11/13 July 2019 http://www.romaeurogames2019.org/

After the great success of the last edition, hosted in Helsinki, Rome will host the EuroGames (LGBTI European Multisport Championship), an event open to anyone regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or age. The event, which is licensed by the EGLSF and organised with the support of the National Olympic Committee of Italy, will welcome athletes from all over Europe to join the sport in favour of equal civil rights. MONZA MOTOR GRAND PRIX Monza; 6 - 8 September 2019 www.monzanet.it The Italian Grand Prix is one of the most important running events on the Formula One calendar. Monza circuit that embodies the spirit of F1. A can’t-miss appointment for all lovers of fast cars. BARCOLANA – SAIL RACE Trieste; 4 - 13 October 2019 www.barcolana.it

The Barcolana is one-of-a-kind event on the international sailing stage, with expert sailors and sailing lovers race side by side on boats of different sizes. Every year more than two thousand sails meet in the Gulf of Trieste, making the Barcolana Europe’s biggest sailing event and the only regatta in the world to set a single start line for so many yachts.

FOLKORE/HISTORICA RE-ENACTMENTS AND OTHER EV ENTS

FEAST OF ST AGATHA IN CATANIA Catania, Sicily; 3-5 Feb. 2019 www.festadisantagata.it St Agatha is the Patron Saint of the city of Catania. People celebrate the martyrdom of the Saint in February and the return of her relics in August with processions, food stalls, music and spectacular fireworks. THE EXPLOSION OF THE CART Florence (Tuscany); Easter Sunday - 21 Apr. 2019

The Scoppio del Carro dates back over 350 years. According to tradition, was the Florentine knight Pazzo de 'Pazzi who planted the banner of the Cross on battlements of Jerusalem during the first Crusade. When he returned home, he brought back three flints of the Holy Sepulchre that he received for his act of courage. A "holy fire" was struck from these flints at Eastertide and then carried throughout the city by groups of young men bearing torches. Over time, this practice evolved to something similar to what is seen today - a cart bearing a large candle, which rolls through the streets of Florence to the front of the cathedral.

FESTA DEI CERI (RACE OF THE CANDLES) Gubbio (Umbria); 15 May 2019 www.ceri.it The Festa dei Ceri is one of the oldest most exciting event of Umbria and probably of Italy. Every year, on the 15th May, all the inhabitants of Gubbio gather in the main square of the city, dressing the colours of their "ceraioli": yellow for the Saint Ubaldo's candle, blue for Saint Giorgio's candle and black for Saint Antonio's candle. The streets of the city are decorated with flags and banners with the symbols of the saints. THE PALIO OF FERRARA Ferrara (Emilia Romagna); 2 June 2019 www.paliodiferrara.it

Dating back to 1279, the Palio of Ferrara is the oldest palio in Italy and a symbol of the glorious and fascinating Italian Renaissance. It includes a month of celebrations, parades, races and competitions between the eight Contrade of the city, which fight to win the precious drape dedicated to Saint George, the patron saint of Ferrara.

LUMINARA AND RACE OF SAN RANIERI Lungarno, Pisa (Tuscany); 16 June 2019 www.pisaunicaterra.it

The Luminara of San Ranieri in Pisa is considered one of the major events of the summer of the city and of the entire region. On the evening of the 16th June (the eve of the Patron Saint festivity, San Ranieri) the Luminara of San Ranieri in Pisa lights up the Lungarno and the heart of the city. Thousands of wax candles, set in clear and white glasses and fixed then onto wooden white-painted frames, highlight the outline of the palaces, of the bridges, of the churches and of the towers reflecting the river.

QUINTANA OF ASCOLI PICENO Ascoli Piceno (Marche); 13 July and 4 Aug. 2019 www.quintanadiascoli.it Every year, the city of Ascoli Piceno hosts the historical Quintana, a re-enactment of medieval practices and traditions. The participants walk in procession along every “sestiere” (city quarter), dressed in Medieval costumes and followed by flag bearers and archers. FESTA DEL REDENTORE - FESTIVAL OF THE REDENTORE Venice (Veneto) – 20-21 July 2019 www.veneziaunica.it The Festival of Redentore is one of the most popular events in Venice. It 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. THE PALIO OF SIENA Siena (Tuscany); 2 July and 16 August 2019

www.comune.siena.it Everyday life grinds to a halt as 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 or to the Madonna.

PALIO DEI NORMANNI DI PIAZZA ARMERINA Piazza Armerina (Sicily); 12 - 14 August 2019 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. LA TORTA DEI FIESCHI, Cogorno and Lavagna (Genoa, Liguria); 13 Aug. 2019 www.tortadeifieschi.it

On 13th August in San Salvatore di Cogorno takes place the "Addiu du Fantin", a medieval reconstruction of the bachelor party of Count Opizzo Fieschi with dances, antique music, flags games and knights. One day after, 14th August, not far away in Lavagna, takes place the medieval reconstruction of the marriage of Bianca De’ Bianchi with Opizzo Fieschi, better known as "Torta dei Fieschi" (Fieschi’s Cake): a giant wedding cake, prepared for the occasion by local confectioners, is distributed to

all participants in the event. HISTORICAL REGATTA Venice (Veneto); 1 Sept. 2019 www.regatastoricavenezia.it Every year, during the first Sunday of September, the Grand Canal 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 a 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. PALIO DI ASTI Asti (Piedmont); 1 September 2019 http://www.comune.asti.it/index.php?id_sezione=943 One of the oldest Palios in Italy, this colourful event sees 21 contestants relive the ancient tradition of the Palio in the historic centre of this charming Piedmont town, famous for its sparkling wine, the Asti spumante. In the days preceding the race, visitors can enjoy many collateral and preparatory events: the Palio of the Flag-wavers, the colourful flea market, the trials of the jockeys on the field. The Palio itself is a difficult challenge that requires strength, skill, passion and courage from all the participants, as only one of them will win possession of the crimson banner with the coat of arms of the city and the image of its Patron Saint. THE MACCHINA DI SANTA ROSA PROCESSION Viterbo (Lazio); 3 Sept. 2019 www.facchinidisantarosa.it

Each year the Medieval town of Viterbo in Lazio renews the festivities in honour of its Holy Patron Saint. The “Trasporto della Macchina di Santa Rosa” is a procession that 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 large team of strong local men.

SAGRA DEL FUOCO – FIRE FESTIVAL Recco (Genoa, Liguria) – 7-8 September 2019 www.sagradelfuoco.it

The celebrations in honour of the Our Lady of the Suffragio are known all over Italy, for the magnificence of the firework displays, which explode to illuminate the sky of Recco. It is the 7 quarters of Recco who challenge each other: they avail themselves of the best Italian masters of fireworks displays. During the same time the solemn procession of 8th September takes place through the streets of the town with the “Arca Argentea Suffragina” and the magnificent wooden Crucifixes of the Ligurian Brotherhoods. THE FESTIVAL OF “MADONNA DELLA SALUTE” Venice (Veneto) – 21 November 2019 www.comune.venezia.it The Festival of Our Lady of Health is perhaps the less spectacular of Venice festivities. In a religious context it is an event dedicated to the Madonna, giving thanks for her intercession which put an end to the plague that struck Venice between the years 1630-1631.

Stefania Gatta Press and Communications Executive Italian National Tourist Board – UK and Ireland