The city of Turin will be celebrating the 150 th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy in style, with a 250 day-long programme of special exhibitions and events, starting on the 17 March and running until the 20 November 2011. The 55 million, nine month Esperienza Italiať show includes major exhibitions, opera and theatrical spectacles, concerts, film festivals, sports events, conferences and conventions.

The Officine Grandi Riparazioni (OGR), a historic ex-industrial site in the heart of the city will be the venue for Fare gli Italiani (The Making of the Italians), Stazione Futuro (Look to the Futureť) and Il future nelle Mani (the Future in Our Hands), while the Reggia di Venaria Reale, the recently restored palatial Royal Hunting Lodge, just outside Turin, is to host La Bella Italia (Beautiful Italy), L'Italia Si Specchia (Italy in the Looking Glass) and Leonardo Dal Genio al Mito (Leonardo from Genius to Myth).

In addition, the local Tourist Board, Turismo Torino e Provincia, is reviving the custom of the Merendina Reale, a ritual śhigh tea much appreciated by the sovereigns of the House of Savoy. In the 19 th century, the custom spread to the Middle Class, who frequented Turins many caffè, where they could savour the pleasures of the Bicerin, the habitual morning beverage from 1840 onwards. The Royal Merenda (snack), complete with traditional pastries, sorbets, chocolate and biscuits, will be available every weekend between until the

31 st December, with a break between the 10 th July the 4 th September.

Special focus will be given to the figure of Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, a native of Turin and one of the leading figures of the Italian Risorgimento. Between 26 March-26 June 2011, the exhibition Cavour genio, seduttore, gourmet (Cavour, genius, charmer and gourmet) will be held in Cavours own home, the 18 th century Palazzo Cavour, one of the best examples of baroque architecture in 18 th century Piedmont. 

The celebrations include the re-opening of the Automobile Museum, with its unique car collection and the National Museum of the Risorgimento at Palazzo Carignano, where the original Chambers of Italys first parliament will be open to the public. The splendid Egyptian Museum, considered second only to Cairo for its vast and exclusive collection of Ancient Egyptian remains, has also been extended and renovated, according to plans drawn up by Oscar award winning stage designer Dante Ferretti.

 For four years, Turin was the first capital of a united Italy before it was moved to Florence and subsequently to Rome. In both 1911 and 1961, the city staged elaborate celebrations for the 50 th and 100 th anniversary of Italian Unification, the latter attracting over 6 million visitors.

For information: Esperienza Italia: www.italia150.it