ItalyUpdate

The British Pavilion at EXPO MILANO 2015 has been awarded the International Architectural Prize for its innovative beehive design. The jury, composed of members of the International Institute of Architecture (In/Arch) and the National Builders' Association (ANCE), pronounced the design by British Artists and sculptor Wolfgang Buttress a fervent hymn to conservation.

 

La Settimana del Pianeta Terra (Planet Earth Week), running from the 18th-25^th October 2015, offers a unique opportunity to see some of Italy's most fascinating hidden sights. The 237 events programmed involve some 190 little known sites of geological and palaeontological interest in Italian territory. Organized by university professors Rodolfo Coccioni and Silvio Seno, the week of special events aims to introduce the general public to aspects and realities previously available only to experts and scientists.

 

Walking tours in Italy are becoming more and more popular as old tracks through the countryside are being re-opened and maintained. The coming Holy Year, proclaimed by Pope Francis, due to begin on December 8^th 2015, has spurred increasing interest in the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrim's route from Canterbury (England) to Rome and beyond towards the Holy Land.

 

Civitella Alfedena, an ancient village in the heart of the National Park of Abruzzo, held a recent celebration in honour of its wolf population. The Operation San Francesco, named after the well-known legend of St. Francis of Assisi and the wolf, was launched in 1970 by the Italian branch of the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) in order to save Italian wolves from extinction.

 

  

  

The city of Milan will see a dream come true on the 14^th October 2015 when Leonardo da Vinci's Horse will be set up in Piazza Città di Lombardia. The gigantic bronze sculpture was cast in the United States by sculptress Nina Akamu,

Fifty-five of the 154 pavilions at EXPO 2015 are decorated with ceramic tiles Made in Italy, according to reporter Francesca Filippi in Il Messaggero newspaper. These include some of the most spectacular pavilions in the six month-long world exposition, such as those belonging to Italy, Japan, the USA, Kuwait, Ecuador, Brazil and Turkey.

 

 

Lazio's museums, monuments and archaeological areas have seen an encouraging increase in visitor figures, according to recent reports from Federculture, the umbrella association grouping all Italian cultural bodies.  Last year, (2014) visitor figures rose to 18.5 million  an increase of 5% compared with the previous year. Earnings increased by 6.3% to 58 million.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boccaccio, the 14^th century author of the Decamerone, lends his name to the annual Fair that celebrates the art of good living at his native town, Certaldo (Tuscany). The Boccaccesca 2015 event runs from the 2^nd - 4^th October, three days in which the town is transformed into a top quality gastronomic centre.

 

 

The Cremona Mondomusica, the most important international Fair of musical instruments and luthiers, runs from the 25^th - 27^th September 2015. Last year, the Fair attracted 240  from 28 countries and over 15,000 visitors.

This year's event has expanded to include not only string instruments, but also pianofortes, wind instruments and an Acoustic Guitar Village.

 

 

The Italian Pavilion at Expo Milan 2015 saw visitors queuing up on Saturday 19^th  to take part in the grand beer festival highlighting the unusual combination of beer and icecream.