2012 CALENDAR OF ITALIAN EVENTS Major events include: special celebrations, festivals and events, art exhibitions, sport events, historical commemorations, the most popular Carnivals, Easter celebrations, new museums and art spaces….

Italy was the center of an artistic culture that for the first time created a universal language for the homogeneous world of Europe and the Mediterranean. In some periods of Italy was the country's most artistically advanced in Europe.

The Renaissance began in Italy in the fourteenth century, from revivals of humanistic literature of Petrarch and Boccaccio. The rediscovery of Roman art, perspective, proportion, use of light in body revolutionized the world of European art. 

Italy also saw European artistic dominance in the 16th and 17th centuries with the Baroque artistic movement. Nonetheless, by the 18th century, the country saw a decline in its artistic output and it started to lose its lustre as Europe and the Western world's artistic leader, with France reaching its artistic zenith through movements such as the Rococo and Neoclassicism.

BELLOTTO, THE CANALETTO OF THE EUROPEAN COURTS Palazzo Sarcinelli, Conegliano Veneto (Treviso)Until 15 April 2012www.bellottoconegliano.itThe magnificent 16th century Palazzo Sarcinelli in Conegliano Veneto hosts thisunique exhibition dedicated to Bernardo Bellotto (1721 – 1780) one of themasters of the “vedutismo veneziano” and nephew of Canaletto. On show are 40masterpieces that show the creative evolution of the Venetian painter markingthe fundamental stages of his career with paintings of Venice, but also ofFlorence, Lucca, Rome, Milan, Turin, Verona and also of European cities suchas Dresden, Vienna, Monaco and Warsaw.

THE BORGHESE FAMILY AND THE ART OF ANTIQUITY Galleria Borghese, RomeUntil 9 April 2012www.galleriaborghese.itFor the first time this exhibition brings back to their original place masterpieces collected by the Borghesefamily which were taken to Paris by Napoleon and that form part of the antiquities section at the LouvreMuseum.VAN GOGH AND GAUGUIN’S.

VAN GOGH AND GAUGUIN’S JOURNEY Palazzo Ducale, GenoaUntil 15th April 2012www.palazzoducale.genova.itThis extraordinary exhibition consists of 80 masterpieces of 19th and 20th century European and Americanpaintings from museums worldwide. These Van Gogh inspired pieces are on display in the Palazzo Ducale inGenoa along with Gauguin’s painting “Where do we come from?..”

GUERCINO, 1591-1666. MASTERPIECES FROM CENTO TO ROME Palazzo Barberini, RomeUntil 29 April 2012http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/guercino-1591-1666-capolavori-da-cento-a-romaThe major exhibition dedicated to Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino, one of the most importantprotagonists in 17th century Italy, inaugurates the new exhibition space of Palazzo Barberini. Guercino wasborn in Cento in 1591 and lived in Rome between 1621 and 1623. The curators' choice to create the exhibitionwith works held in public and private collections from Rome and Cento, allows one to admire anextraordinary body of paintings in the renovated setting of Palazzo Barberini, with the opportunity to gain anoverview of the master from Emilia: 50 masterpieces covering the entire span of his long artistic career whichshowcases all of his exuberant talent.

STEVE McCURRY PHOTOGRAPHYMACRO, RomeUntil 29 April 2012http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/steve-mc-curryThis is a major exhibition of Steve McCurry's photography. The show will feature over 200 photographstaken over the course of his extraordinary 30 year career as journalist and photographer. Most of the imagesare from his archives, but many are the fruit of recent photoshoots and were as of yet unpublished. A specialsection will feature shots of Italy to comemorate the country's 150th anniversary - the photographs are the fruitof McCurry's travels throughout the Italian peninsula preparing for this show over the past year.

THE GUGGENHEIM. THE AMERICAN AVANT-GARDE 1945-1980Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome7 February - 6 May , 2012http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/the-guggenheim-the-american-avant-garde-1945-1980The exhibition, curated by Susan Davidson and Lauren Hinkson, will provide visitors with the opportunity toenjoy a sweeping visual overview of the way the main trends in American art developed after World War II,offering a retrospective of masterpieces from the superb Guggenheim collections relating to the themes.

THE PRINCES’ TREASURES, RUBENS, BRUEGHEL, REMBRANDT, CRANACH, HAYEZ,CANALETTO……Fortress of Bard, Val D’AostaUntil 31 May 2012www.fortedibard.itDuring this winter season the exhibition rooms of the Fortress of Bard arehosting a selection of fine art masterpieces. Erected at the feet of theAosta Valley during the first half of the 19th Century, the imposingfortress has become a leading cultural centre. The fortress will host anexhibition of works from The Prince’s Treasures - Rubens, Brueghel,Rembrandt, Cranach, Hayez and Canaletto - Masterpieces from thePrince of Lichtenstein’s Art Collection.

FROM VERMEER TO KANDISKY Castel Sismondo, Rimini23 January – 3 June 2012http://www.lineadombra.it/en/da-vermeer-a-kandinsky/the-exhibitionThe exhibition has been organized by highlighting the centuries of greatest splendour of each of themain countries that have contributed most to the history of art. And within each century, especiallyfor Italy, the most representative region for the period in question has been selected. For example,18th-century Italy will be represented by Venetian painting from Canaletto to Guardi, Tiepolo andBellotto. And the works of these artists selected for the exhibition enable us to go right to the heartof their world. So while we have Tuscany and the Veneto for the 16th century, Caravaggio and his discipleshas been chosen for the 17th century, again simply as an example. In this way the exhibition will offeran overall view of some of the great figures who have left landmarks in art in the last five centuriesboth in Europe and America.

TINTORETTO Scuderie del Quirinale, Rome24 February – 17 June 2012http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/tintorettoJacopo Robusti (or Canal) is better known as Tintoretto (1519-1594. This exhibition,curated by Giovanni Morello e Vittorio Sgarbi, is focused on the three main themesthat distinguish Tintoretto's work: religion, mythology and portraiture, will be dividedinto sections comprising a handful of carefully selected and unquestioned masterpieces,beginning and ending with his two self-portraits of himself as a young man, from theVictoria & Albert Museum in London, and as an old man, from the Louvre.

SALVADOR DALI’ Complesso del Vittoriano10 March – 30 June 2012http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/salvador-daliThe Salvador Dalì’s exhibition investigates the artist's complex personality and multifaceted genius.Organised together with the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation the show adopts a novel approach, giving insightinto some aspects of Salvador Dalí which have not been shown before. Light will be shed on an aspect thathas so far been ignored by exhibitions and research into Dalí, which is his relationship with Italy.The exhibition will focus on a selection of outstanding paintings, around which a series of other items,including objects, illustrations, and theatre and cinema costumes, will examine every aspect of the Spanishpainter's activities. Documents, photographs, drawings, letters, projects, and objects will all document hisjourneys through Italy, and his inspirational encounters, like those with Anna Magnani and Luchino Visconti.

DIVISIONISM, THE LIGHT OF THE MODERN Palazzo Roverella, Rovigo (Veneto)25 Feb- 24 Jun 2012www.palazzoroverella.comDivisionism was the Italian answer to the French Neo Impressionism between 1890 and the end of the FirstWorld War which co-existed alongside the works of Signac and Seraut. Instead of “points” the Divisionistsused strokes of colours often one on top of the other to obtain the desired effects of light. The mainprotagonist was in fact the “light” used to express a new form of emotion, freedom, spiritualism and hope forthe future. Works from: Segantini, Pellizza, Balla, Boccioni and many more.

AMERICANS IN FLORENCE: SARGENT AND THE AMERICAN IMPRESSIONISTS Palazzo Strozzi, Florence3 Mar- 15 Jul 2012www.palazzostrozzi.orgThe exhibition explores the American impressionists'relationship with Italy, and with Florence in particular,in the decades spanning the close of the 19th and dawnof the 20th centuries. There was a marked upswing inthe number of American artists travelling to Europeafter the Civil War ended in 1865, and the trend continued on into the early 20th century. For the first timesince recent exhibitions in France and England explored these American artists' relationship with those twocountries, this exhibition will be hosting the work of American painters who embraced the artistic vocabularyof Impressionism and spent time in Italy.

Lux in arcana. The Vatican Archive revealedCapitoline Museum, Rome1 Mar – 9 Sept 2012www.museicapitolini.orgA hundred original and extremely precious documents dating from the 8th century BC to the 20th century ofthe Vatican Secret Archive.

BYZANTIUM. THE NEW ROMES cuderie del Quirinale, Rome1 October 2012– 31 January 2013http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/byzantium-the-new-romeTheexhibition aims to offer a complete image of the art and culture of Constantinople and its empire. A wellconstructedchronological itinerary will present visitors with a collection of great masterpieces against thebackdrop of historical events concerning the imperial dynasties that succeeded to the throne of the new Rome,from its foundation to its fall (330-1453). Within the chronological "story" a monographic argument will alsobe focused on a series of key artworks to highlighting the various sacred and profane themes: power and thecourt; the Church; the cult of images;Byzantium and the classics; teaching, culture, libraries; the lastByzantines: Bessarion, Italy, Europe.

GUTTUSO, 1912-2012Complesso del Vittoriano, Rome5 October 2012 – 3 February 2013http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/guttuso-1912-2012The city of Rome, where Renato Guttuso lived for fifty years, celebrates the Artistwith a major exhibition in the occasion of the Centenary of his birth.With 100 worksby Guttuso the exhibition shows the whole creative path of the Sicilian painter artisticactivity. Through his paintings Guttuso shows all deep, intense, social, political andreligious aspects of this variegated world: and we finally discover a different andvibrant idea of Rome with Colosseo, Tetti di via Leonina and the mysterious presence of the roman gardensof the Visita della Sera .

PAUL KLEE AND ITALYGalleria d’Arte Moderna, Rome9 October 2012 – 27 January 2013http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/paul-klee-e-litaliaPaul Klee, though of German citizenship and education, loved the South like many other artists from NorthernEurope did. Italy, in particular, played a decisive role in his life and his art. Mediterranean, therefore, becamenot only a destination for his vacations, but also an inspiration source for his artistic turning points andtheoretical reflections The artist’s many travels to Italy are all to be studied in depth. Klee’s relationship withItaly has not been the object of a systematic analysis yet. This is exactly what this exhibition curated byTulliola Sparagni and Mariastella Margozzi intends to carry out.

THE DAYS OF ROME. THE AGE OF BALANCE Musei Capitolini, Rome1 October 2012 – 31 March 2013http://english.romaexhibit.it/mostre/i-giorni-di-roma-let-dellequilibrioThird event of the "The Days of Rome" series, the exhibition will explore the artistic production of the"golden age" of Roman art coinciding with the principalities of Trajan (98-117 AD) and Hadrian (117-138AD), offering a representative overview of the works produced during those forty years, a period of artisticand political ferment, with a balance in the relationship among the Emperors, the Senate and the Army.

FROM MACCHIAIOLI TO GIUSEPPE PELLIZZA DA VOLPEDO Chiostro del Bramante, Rome10 October 2012 – 27 January 2013www.chiostrodelbramante.itThe exhibition From Macchiaioli to Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo, curated byEmanuela Angiuli, intends to revisit the world of everyday experience in the nature ofthe Italian countryside, through the artists who, in the second half of 1800 and until thefirst decades of 1900, were able to capture the emotional and evocative spirit of thelittle middle class of the Italian province. Starting from the women, the observationinevitably invades not only the historical fields, but also the literary and social fields. The painting becomesthe register of knowledge of local customs and traditions through various languages that interferes with dailylife and show the quality of a complex and varied cultural territory.

Carlo Carra’ 1881-1966Fondazione Ferrero, Alba (Cuneo)27 October 2012 – 27 January 2013This is a major retrospective exhibition on one of the most famous Italian artists of the 20th century, CarloCarra’. The exhibition gathers Carra’ major works from museums worldwide and private collections andintends to take the visitors through the various stages of Carra’s development: Divisionism, Futurism,Metaphysical Painting, Mythical Realism, still life, landscapes and more.NEW MUSEUMS AND ART SPACES/CIT

NEW MUSEUMS AND ART SPACES/CITY CARDS

RE-OPENING OF THE POPE ALESSANDRO VII GALLERY AT PALAZZO DEL QUIRINALEThe Pope Alessandro VII gallery occupies the left wing of the Palazzo delQuirinale (The Italian President residence) in Rome which dates back to the 17thcentury and was designed by Pietro da Cortona. The Pope commissioned thegallery of almost 700 sqm with big windows giving on the suggestive centre ofRome and decorated with scenes of the peaceful countryside and of the OldTestament. The gallery had been closed since Napoleon occupied the Palazzoand destined the gallery as apartment of Maria Luigia, it has now re-opened after extensive restoration workfor visitors to admire the impressive decoration and painting.

RE-OPENING OF THE GALLERIA D’ARTE MODERNA IN ROME (GNAM)The Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna (National Modern Art Gallery) built in 1925 in Via Francesco Crispi,and temporarily closed from 2003, has now re-opened with its important collection of modern art that offers adetailed picture of art and culture in Rome form the last quarter of the 19th century until after World War II,through a rich exhibition of more than 3000 paintings, sculptures and graphic arts. The artists featuring areamong others: De Chirico, Guttuso, Carra’, Balla, Morandi, Sironi and Manzu’.

NEW MUSEUM IN MILAN – PIAZZA SCALA A new museum has opened in Milan, the rooms of the eighteenth and nineteenth century buildings, PalazzoAnguissola Antona Traversi and Palazzo Brentani are now home to approximately two hundred works fromthe 1800s – including the late eighteenth century bas-reliefs by Antonio Canova and early twentieth centurymasterpieces by Umberto Boccioni – of which 135 are from the Fondazione Cariplo collection and 62 fromthe Intesa Sanpaolo collection. The exhibits offers a fascinating journey through one century of Italian art,with masters such as Antonio Canova, Francesco Hayez, Gerolamo Induno, AngeloInganni, Federico Zandomeneghi, Giovanni Boldini, Telemaco Signorini, Giovanni Segantini,Angelo Morbelli, Gaetano Previati, Giulio Aristide Sartorio and Umberto Boccioni.

NEW CASA FERRARI MUSEUM IN MODENA, to open on 10 March 2012The museum complex started from the restoration of the house in which Enzo Ferrrari was born in Modena in1898, and that has preserved through the years both the living quarters and the workshop. To this has beenadded a new building in the form of the now famous yellow aluminium “bonnet” whose colour is the symbolof the city of Modena and the colour chosen by Enzo Ferrari as the background to the Prancing Horse, thetrademark of the company that bears his name. In his birthplace there is a permanent multimedia displaywhich retraces the most important events in Ferrari’s life, a “mover of men”, who believed that “if you candream it you can do it”, who saw the car as a work of art and considered racing as an experimental and testingground for the continuous development and improvement of technology and the reaching of perfection. Thestars of the exhibition in the new gallery will, on the other hand, be the cars themselves; representatives of thegreat Italian names from the most prestigious collections and museums, exhibited as works of arts. Thevehicles will be surrounded by curvilinear showcases containing historic documents, objects and memorabilia,with the contribution of original audio-visual footage that reconstructs the identity of Motor Valley of EmiliaRomagna, that with time acquired international importance.The opening date is 10 March 2012 www.museocasaenzoferrari.it

NEW! OMNIA VATICAN & ROME CARDThis new card is the result of a collaborative agreement between Roma Capitale and Opera RomanaPellegrinaggi. This unique portfolio of services allows visitors in just a few days to discover the religious andcultural heritage of the Eternal City. The OMNIA Vatican & Rome includes visits to historically andspiritually significant basilicas and monuments and the convenient use of the Roma Cristiana Open Buses, aswell as the city’s public transportation system.The OMNIA Vatican & Rome kit that costs € 85,00 adults, € 55,00 children from 6 to 12 years and free forchildren up to 6 years, allows visitors to experience the best of Rome

ONE TICKET FOR THE MILAN OF LEONARDO It is now possible to purchase just one ticket to cover entry to “Leonardo’s Last Supper” in the Santa Mariadelle Grazie Church, the Bramante’s vestry (a splendid example of Renaissance art hosting paintings byLeonardo, Botticelli, Caravaggio among others) and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, a collection of originalLeonardo’s Atlantic Code sketches. Price for all three venues is €26More info at: www.ambrosiana.it

FESTIVALS AND OTHER CULTURAL EVENTSVERONA IN LOVE

Verona – 11-14 February 2012www.veronainlove.itVerona is the town where the romance of Romeo and Juliet unfolded. Verona in Love, held around Valentine'sDay, sees red, heart-shaped lanterns illuminating the streets. Free concerts with a romantic theme take placeon Piazza dei Signori Square.

RAVELLO CONCERTS, in Ravello, Amalfi CoastVilla Rufolo, Ravello – April 4th / October 31st 2012www.ravelloarts.orgIn Spring and Autumn, far from the Summer’s crowds, Ravello becomes the favorite destination for thosewho love the silence of its Villas and its medieval churches. In that time, an audience of music lovers meetevery year to listen to the concerts held in the gardens and the rooms of Villa Rufolo, famous for havinginspired Wagner for the setting of his Parsifal.

58th PUCCINI FESTIVALTorre del Lago – July 20th / August 24th 2012www.puccinifestival.itTorre del Lago hosts the Festival Puccini, created by Puccini himself, since 1930. The outdoor theatre, closeto Villa Mausoleo where the Master’s remains lie, is an amazing setting to enjoy the music of one of the mostoutstanding and esteemed Italian artists worldwide. Operas on show in 2012 are: Tosca, La Boheme, MadamaButterfly among others.

MAGGIO MUSICALE FIORENTINOTeatro Comunale – Florence – May 4th / June 10th 2012www.maggiofiorentino.comThis is one of the oldest traditional cultural events in Florence. The Stabile Orchestrale Fiorentina was born in1928 and in 1933 it organized the first edition of the Festival, which, over the years grew to internationalfame. The Festival has its own Ballet Company called Maggio Dance

ROSSINI OPERA FESTIVAL Pesaro, 10th August / 23rd August 2012www.rossinioperafestival.itThis festival is entirely dedicated to the music and operas of Goacchino Rossini, who wasborn in the Le Marche city of Pesaro. This year will be the 33rd edition of the festival andtwo new productions will be presented: “Ciro in Babilonia” and “Il Signor Bruschino”,“Viaggio a Reims”, “Tancredi” “ Matilde di Shabran”.

TANOTANGO FESTIVAL IN NAPLES 3-9 September 2012www.tanotango.itThis festival deeply links Naples and Buenos Aires, theNeapolitan song and the Tango. The Tanotango Festivalincludes photos and painting exhibitions, conventions,workshops, shows, performances, concerts and dancing nights.Some of the most celebrated Argentinian tango artists togetherwith Neapolitan artists will perform with the backdrop of thecity of Naples: castles, wonderful terraces on the sea, oldpalazzos, monumental villas and dance halls will provide the scenery for this extraordinary event.

MITO SETTEMBRE MUSICA Turin and MilanSeptember 2012 – various locations (programme tbc)www.mitosettembremusica.it6th year of this major festival developed from the thirty years experience of Settembre Musica whichconnects 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 mostdistant places; jazz, open-air shows, night-time concerts...

SCIENCE FESTIVAL  Genova – October 25th / November 4th 2012www.festivalscienza.itThe Festival of Science is an important appointment for the diffusion of science. The exhibition aims to makeaccessible to a wider public the many scientific subjects it deals with. The variety of events offeredencompasses scientific and artistic exhibitions, workshops, conferences and shows and enables the public tointeract with this material in an enjoyable way.

SPORT

AMERICA’S CUP WORLD SERIES IN NAPLES7-15 April 2012The prestigious America’s Cup World Series will come to Bagnoli, a seaside district of Naples in April thisyear. The Neapolitan coastline is undergoing extensive regeneration and the races just one of the projectscurrently undertaken by the authorities to help this process. The AC World Series features tight, short racecourses designed to deliver close racing for the fans on shore as well as TV audiences. The innovative regattaformat includes a mix of speed trials, head-to-head match racing and all-out fleet racing.www.americascup.com.

GIRO D’ITALIA 2012 Starts on May 5th 2012 in Herningwww.gazzetta.itThe Giro d'Italia, which celebrated its first hundred years in 2009, dates backto May 13 1909. This year the Giro will start in Denmark - it’s only the tenthtime it has started outside Italy since 1909 - and will terminate as usual inMilan on 27th May.

MILLE MIGLIAMay 17th / 20th 2012www.1000miglia.euThe most beautiful vintage cars in the world chosen to participate in the race each year are selected underrigorous guidelines. The 2012 edition plans a departure from Brescia, journeying through Ferrara, Rome andthen back to Brescia

FESTA DELLA SENSAVenezia – 20th June 2012www.comune.venezia.itEvents and Festivals SectionIn 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 throughthe ages, today it is read as an event to celebrate the intricate relationship that the city has always had with thesea, both in commercial and architectural terms.

FESTA DEI CERI (RACE OF THE CANDLES)Gubbio – 15th May 2011www.ceri.itThe Festa Dei Ceri is one of the oldest, if not the oldestItalian folklore display. The festival has always played afundamental role in the heart of the local community. Itsorigins are obscure, it is enough to know that there are twobasic hypotheses: one religious and one pagan. However, awell-documented version sees the festival as a solemn act ofdevotion on the part of the Eugubini towards their BishopUbaldo Baldassini which started in 1160, the year of hisdeath. Since then, every 15 May, the eve of the day of mourning, the devotional offering to the patron Saint isa fixed appointment for the people of Gubbio who take part in a great mystical procession, carrying candlesall around the town and up Mount Ingino (where since 11 September 1194 the body of Saint Ubaldo lies, inthe church which bears his name).

THE PALIO OF FERRARAFerrara – May 5th/6th/12th/19th/25th/27th 2012www.paliodiferrara.itThe Palio of Ferrara is the most ancient event of its kind is the world dating back to 1279. It is peculiar for itskind of ride that is joyful and so different from other warlike palii. This is a very important moment for thecity: all the Contrade participate wearing dress of different colours to gain the “palio”, but also and overall itis a festivity to remember the Renaissance, a period in which Ferrara was really a capital.

DANTE’S HELL AT PERTOSA CAVES Salerno – All the yearwww.grottedipertosa.itEvery Friday and Saturday in the grotte (caves) of Pertosa in the province of Salerno, "Dante" guides a tourthrough his Inferno, introducing guests to Paolo and Francesca of Rimini, Ulysses, Minos, Count Ugolino, andother characters you'll find in the first book of The Divine Comedy. The entertainment underground is madeof more than 30 actors and dancers with the Tappeto Volante Company and directed by Domenico MariaCorrado, who also came up with the idea.

THE “BATTAGLIA DEI FIORI”Ventimiglia, Liguria – June 18th/19th 2012www.battagliadifiori.comParade of floats covered with flowers, accompanied by bands and folkloristic groups. The cultural roots of theBattaglia dei Fiori are buried in the traditional rites dedicated to the awakening of nature and in the carnivalparades of the Italian Riviera and of the Provence of the 18th century. Ventimiglia, as from the very first postwar years, progressively personalized its parade, until reaching the modern version. Floats of considerabledimensions (up to 8 m x 4 m), with three-dimensional subjects pertaining the year’s theme, are decorated withflowers petals, fixed one by one to the structure, with the technique of the mosaic. In a surface of one squaremetre, up to 1000 flowers find a place and for an entire float one needs about 120.000 petals! During thefestival, a proper battle takes place between the public and the walk-ons on the floats, by the mutual launch ofuncountable flowers. This is a bloodless and colourful fight, which is made even more festive by thefolkloristic bands, which accompany the floats.

LUMINARA AND RACE OF SAN RANIERILungarno – Pisa - June 16th/17th 2012http://www.comune.pisa.it/manifestazioni-storiche/On the occasion of the Feast of San Ranieri, Patron Saint of Pisa, celebratedannually on 17 June, the enchantment of the illuminations of Saint Ranieri isrenewed on the streets running along the river Arno (the so-called Lungarni). Infact, following the ancient tradition the Pisans celebrate their Patron Saint on thefollowing day. There are about seventy-thousand wax candles which at everyedition are meticulously set in smooth and white glasses and fixed then ontowooden white-painted frames, modelled in such a way as to exalt the outline of the palaces, of the bridges, ofthe churches and of the towers reflecting the river.FESTIVAL

HISTORICAL REGATTA Venezia – September 2nd 2012www.comune.venezia.itEvents sectionThe Grand Canal every year during the first Sunday of September becomes a theatre for one of the greatest ofVenetian events, the Historical Regatta, dating back to 1315 under the rule of doge Giovanni Soranzo. TheHistorical Regatta starts out with the colourful procession on water, formed by the Bissone, the Bucintoro andthe boats of the Venetian rowing clubs, but also the women’s race on Mascarete and that of the youngstersPupperini.

THE PALIO OF SIENASiena – July 2nd/ August 16th 2012www.ilpalio.orgThe Palio of Siena is the most famous popular Italian events. It takes place every year on July 2 and August16. The Palio is run to celebrate the miraculous apparition of the Virgin Mary near the old houses thatbelonged to Provenzano Salvani. The holy apparition was therefore called "Madonna di Provenzano" inwhose honour the very first Palio was run on August 16, 1656.

PALIO DEI NORMANNI DI PIAZZA ARMERINAPiazza Armerina, Sicily - August 12th/14th 2012www.feditgiochistorici.itPlutia (the old Piazza Armerina) is home to the most ancient medieval event inSouthern Italy which takes place every year from August 12-14 in honour of MadonnaMaria SS. Delle Vittorie. The event is a re-enactment of Sicily being conquered in1060 by the Normans, led by Ruggero of Altavilla. At the end of the event, the wholeprocession parades through the main streets, triumphantly displaying the city flag alongwith its winners.

PALIO DI ASTI in Asti, PiedmontAsti, September 16th 2012www.palio.asti.itOne of the oldest Palio’s in Italy this colourful event sees 21 contestantsrelive the ancient tradition of the Palio in the historic centre of thischarming Piedmont town, famous for its sparkling wine, the Astispumante. In the days preceding the race, visitors can enjoy manycollateral and preparatory events: the Palio of the Flag-wavers, thecolourful flea market, the trials of the jockeys on the field. The Palio itselfis a difficult challenge requiring all the participants’ strength and skill,passion and courage as only one of them will win possession of the crimson banner with the coat of arms ofthe city and the image of its Patron Saint.