Selected
Italian Events And Cultural Information
January February March April May June
July August September
GENNAIO
La Befana – A Fantastical Being in the shape of an old
woman who brings children gifts on the eve of Epiphany.
Carnevale: Pre-Lenten festivities. 10 days before Ash Wednesday.
FEBBRAIO
Mercoledi
Delle Ceneri - Ash Wednesday. The day
Lent begins, 40 days before Good Friday.
Day of Ashes. Faithful have foreheads marked with ashes in the shape of a cross
which symbolizes that the person belongs to Jesus Christ.
Festival
of San Remo – Competition for best new Pop Song. "Volare" was a winner.
Almonds
Blossom Festival – Folk festival of song, dance. Agrigento.
MARZO
APRILE
MAGGIO
Miracle
of San Gennaro. Honor of patron
saint. (May & September) Naples.
Corsa
dei Ceri – Race of the Candles -
Gubbio. Wooden shrines.
Columbus
Festivities - Genoa. His departure.
Cavalcata
Sarda – Folk festival Sardinian Cavalcade.
Sassari.
Festa del Grillo (Cricket Day) Buy crickets in cages and set them free. Florence
Geostra
Della Quintana – Jousting and Parade. Foligno.
(May and September)
Palio
del Balestrieri – Crossbow match.
Gubbio.Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.
Music Restival, renown artists.
Florence. Feast of St. Bernadine.
Siena.
GUIGNO
Regatta
Del Calcio – Costume parade of boats – Rotates among Genoa, Amalfi, Pisa and
Venice
Feast
of St. Anthony – Padua.
Festa
del Giglio – Lily Festival. Nola.
Festival
of Two Worlds – Gian Carlo Menotti's creation painting and sculpture. Spoleto.
Esposizione
Internazional d'Arte Moderna. – Venice
Bienalle. Exhibition of modern art.
Even number years – June through October.
LUGLIO
Palio
– 15th Century Dress Parade, etc.
Fiesta
Di Santa Rosalia - Sicilian Patron
Saint honored
Umbria
Jazz Festival – 3 weeks nightly performances
Festa
Del Rendentors (Feast of the Reedemer) – 16th Century plague remembered
Cioco
Del Ponte (Battle of the Bridge) – Mock costumed battle from north and south of
the Arno for possession of the bridge.
AGOSTO
Baths
of Caracalla Opera Season – Stages in ruins of 3rd Century Roman Baths
Torneo
Della Quintana – Jousting and parade 15th century costume . Ascoli Piceno
Palio
Del Golfo – 2000 meter rowing contest.
La Piceno
Puccini
Opera Season – Torre del Lago , Composer's operas performed. Torre del Lago.
Rossini
Opera Festival – Pesaro Salute composer.
International
Film Festival – Venice
Strea
Musical Weeks – Symphony, chamber music.
Stresa.
SETTEMBRE
Palio Della Balestra –
Crossbow contest. San Marino
Festa Di Santa Rosalia.- Saint Rosalia festival. Palermo.
Living Chess Game.- Costumed, even numberd years. Marostica
Giostra Del Saraceno – Medieval
jost. Arezzo
Regata Storica – Parade of
decorated boats. Venice
Palio Dei Balestrieri. -
Return matchof crossbows. Venice.
Geostra Della Quintana –
Jousting and Parade. Foligno.
Miracle of San
Gennaro. Honor of patron saint. (May & September) Naples.
Palio – Siena's Palio,
festival, bareback horse riding, flag throwing. Asti.
OTTOBRE
Fieradel Tartufo (Truffle Fair) Harvest Festival. Alba.
NOVEMBRE
\
Marionette
Festival. Puppets from all over
Europe. Palermo Tutti I Morti – All
Soul's Day.
Remember
friends and family, visit cemeteries, bring chrysanthemums and light candles.
DICEMBRE
La Scala Opening night –
Opera traditionally held on Feast Day of Saint Ambrogio, patron saint city of
Milan. Birnbaum's Italy
Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle –
"You Come Down From the Stars" -Popular Italian Christmas song
composed by a saint in the 17th Century.