Festivals which bring the past to life

Festivals which bring the past to life.
Celebrations and patron saints’ festivals in the Art Cities of the Po Valley.
Dates for the diary celebrating tradition and moments of faith.

millenial history and dates for the diary which revive popular traditions, art and religious faith, providing an opportunity to relive unchanged traditions and passions. The Art Cities of the Po Valley celebrate their own history and local culture in the inviting warmth and colour of patron saints’ festivals, rustic gastronomic celebrations, musical and colourful village fairs which re-invoke the atmosphere of medieval times. Chapters of history – some solemn, some convivial - come back to life each year in the cities’ squares, streets and parks; from celebrations to religious processions, from artistic performances to sporting tournaments, to tables lavishly decked with tipical culinary specialities, there are numerous occasions to rediscover the best of these cities where traditional events are much more than a simple celebration.
The celebration of Bergamo’s patron saint Alessandro falls annually on the 26th of August. Sant’Alessandro, a Roman soldier from the Tebea legion, died on this day in 303 A.C., condemned to beheading for refusing to recant his Christian faith. He has always been remembered for his emblematic bravery and his strong dedication to faith: virtues and attitudes which the religious and civil comunities of Bergamo recognise in themselves. The patron saint’s festival also provides an opportunity to celebrate universal values going beyond faith and becoming the foundation of good relations within the city. For 2016 the chosen virtue is Courage: not heroic bravery but every day courage, the ability to “not be afraid”, to face daily life with a positive outlook on the world. An important part of the celebration will be Marco Baliani’s show, taking place in the evening in the Cathedral nave, while an exhibition entitled “Dare coraggio” (give courage) will unfold in the cells of the old prison Sant’Agata in the old part of the city, Città Alta, from July. As well as art and culture there will be a variety of entertainment: including the traditional fun park for children with its colourful stalls of sweets and toys.
Monza reinterprets it’s past of religious passion with the Feast of San Giovanni Battista. This celebration combines Christian faith with the spirit and desire to spend time with one another. Afireworks display will light up the city’s sky on Friday 24th June from 10pm with a musical encounter in a very special location, Monza Park. An historical commemoration will also take place to coincide with the patron saint’s festival. This year is the 35th edition of this commemoration and it’s theme is the first jubilee year of Christianity as announced by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300. The commemoration will animate the streets of the city centre and continue with a parade in costume which will conclude in the cathedral square with the flight of the dove of Teolinda and a medieval-inspired show.
Pavia recalls its past with “Palio del Ticino”, that took place on June 11th and 12th, a spectacular commemoration of the historic battle on the River Ticino between the fleet of Filippo Maria Visconti and that of the Most Serene Republic of Venice. During this event the city becomes alive with colour; numerous artists, athletes, flagwavers and entertainers perform in key locations throughout the city: from the Castello Visconteo to the Basilica di S. Michele Maggiore, from the squares and streets of the city centre to the covered bridge. Taking pride of place are the parade, race, archery and the regata on the “barcè” boats along the river, symbol of the city. Not to be missed either are two key local celebrations, the “Festa del Ticino” (from 3rd to 10th September) which showcases important artistic and cultural kermesse and the “Festa di San Siro” (9th December), an event celebrating Santo Vescovo, patron of Pavia. Through sport and folklore, moments of faith and creativity, old traditions are brought faithfully back to life.

What’s up inthe city: news from the Art Cities of the Po Valley

BERGAMO

„Quando l’Italia disegnava il mondo. Tesori cartografici del Rinascimento”
Until July 10th at Palazzo del Podestà
A big exhibition celebrating the know-how, talents, professional competencies of Italians in the Renaissance and tells of an era in which Italy had a recognised record: the creation of geographical maps. The plan is to recompose a virtual atlas: over seventy maps of priceless value, in a path which rebuilds the vision of the world as it was known and drawn in the 16th century. Curated in Palazzo del Podestà, the exhibition is integrated in the rooms of the 16th century Museum.
http://www.bergamoestoria.it/schedaMostra.aspx?t=1&id=55

“Aldo Rossi. The poet’s window - Artworks 1973-1997”
Until July 24th

A journey through 100 different works of art, from prints, lithographs, silk-screen prints and engravings by Aldo Rossi at the GA-MeC - Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea. A precious collection of sketches and works by the famous Milanese architect which illustrates his very personal world and his concept of architecture.
www.gamec.it/it/aldo-rossi-la-finestra-del-poeta

“Ladies sing the blues”
3rd July, 7th August, 4th September
Chiostro di Santa Marta, Bergamo
On the first Sunday of the month art, culture and music provide an unforgettable afternoon in Saint Marta’s Cloister. A wealth of art in the centre of Bergamo offering all-female concerts. The Ellingtones will inaugurate the summer evenings with the first concert on 3rd July.

BRESCIA

“Christo e Jeanne-Claude. Water Projects”
Until September, 18th
In Santa Giulia Museum, an exhibition in conjunction with The Floating Piers event, on Iseo Lake: Christo and Jeanne Claude projects linked to water. More than 150 artworks, drawings, collages and preparatory works with scale models, photographs and videos
www.bresciamusei.com

“Musical Zoo”
From 20th to 24th July
5 days during which music meets innovative artistic performances: exhibitions, concerts, shows and dj sets.
www.musicalzoo.it

CREMONA

„Serenade from Stradivari’s balcony“

Every Saturday afternoon, until September
Corso Garibaldi, place of Stradivari’s house, will become a stage to attend to musical performances. Main artists, with a rich repertoire, from classical to contemporary, will play from Stradivari’s balcony

https://www.comune.cremona.it/node/453484

„L’angolo del poeta - letture e bookcrossing“
Tuesday 5th July - 21.00
Corso Mazzini

„Festival Acquedotte“

Friday 8th and 29th July
Dee Dee Bridgewater (8th July) and Hevia (29th July) in concert, at Palazzo Trecchi.

LODI

Lodi al Sole 2016
Concerts, shows, free events open to everybody bringing summer evenings in the city to life. Piazza della Vittoria, the Verri cloister, the long river and architectural jewels such as the Incoronata and Santa Chiara Nuova will welcome locals and tourists alike providing fun and entertainment.

MODENA

“Motoestate”
16 - 17 July
Autodromo di Modena
Modern motorbike race in the Italian championship Trofei Moto di serie.
“Preview by Gater”
From 19th to 21st July
Quartiere Fieristico
Textile, clothing and accessory preview fair.
“Estate Modenese”
July - August
City centre
Evening theatre performances, street theatre and cabaret, concerts, dance shows, puppet shows, story reading and more for children.

MONZA

“Ayrton Senna. The last night“
Until July, 24th
Within the automotive backdrop of the speed museum of the Autodromo di Monza an exhibition of historical and sentimental value, dedicated to one of the great legends of Formula 1: Ayrton Senna.

www.monzanet.it

„Robert Doisneau. Le merveilleux du quotidien „

Until July, 3rd
An exhibition dedicated to one of the greatest photographers of the Twentieth Century: Robert Doisneau. A selection of eighty original photographs retrace the first forty four years of the French maestro’s career. At the Arengario.
www.arengariomonzafoto.com

PARMA

ParmaEstate 2016
Until July 20th, Cortile della Pilotta.
A rich programme of events and music: Béjart Ballet Lausanne, Ezio Bosso, Berliner Philarmoniker, Notre Dame de Paris, Gianna Nannini, Igudesman e Joo, Morgan
For more info:
http://www.teatroregioparma.it/Categorie/default.aspx?idCategoria=47
Parma nel Cuore del Gusto Tours
Every Saturday and Sunday
Excursions with guided tours of places of production of Parmigiano cheese, Prosciutto and wine from the hills of Parma. A path to find out more about the typical specialities and indeed to taste them. Three shuttle buses – Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning – to take a dive into the flavours and beauty of the Parma region.
Per info:
http://www.parmanelcuoredelgusto.it/scheda/gourmet-tour/parma-nel-cuore-del-gusto-tour

PAVIA

Pavia d’estate
From June 1st to September 9th
Programme of music, cinema, theatre, guided tours, library events and much more. An invitation to appreciate every corner of the city, from the squares and courtyards of the city centre to the Castello Visconteo and the city’s outskirts.
www.vivipavia.it

PIACENZA

“Manifestazioni Antoniniane”
From June 25th to July 4th
A series of cultural, religious and entertainment events in the streets of the city centre.
www.piacerepiacenza.it
“Cinema al Daturi”
From June 24th to September 4th
Summer programme of „cinéma d’essai“ and documentaries.
www.piacerepiacenza.it

“Il Po ricorda - vivere il confine”
From June 18th to July 17th
Lectures and guided tours on river’s history, art and archeology. Several events will be hosted just near the river.
www.piacerepiacenza.it

REGGIO EMILIA

“Fotografia Europa 2016”
From May 6th to July 10th
The famous photography exhibition is dedicated this year to „La Via Emilia: strade, viaggi, confini“ (Via Emilia: roads, journeys, borders). After the inaugural days from 6th to 8th May exhibitions, meetings, debates will continue until July 10th in various city centre locations.
www.fotografiaeuropea.it

“Ater balletto”
July 2016
Chiostro grande di San Pietro, via Emilia San Pietro 44/C
Important show dedicated to dance.
www.aterballetto.it

“Mundus”
July and August
Piazza Prampolini e Piazza Fontanesi
Festival dedicated to the sounds and colours of ethnic and folk music.
www.festivalmundus.it

To find out more about the cities of the Po Valley: www.circuitocittadarte.it