ItalyUpdate

  ITALIAN MUSEUM  HAPPY HOURS 

Several leading Italian museums are introducing a Happy Hour with aperitif and entertainment, in order to attract a younger public.

Following the example of the London Tate Modern, which drew crowds with its highly successful Late at Tate iniziative, three Italian contemporary art museums - the Guggenheim Museum of Venice, the Madre of Naples and the Macro of Rome  are organizing Happy hour events over the summer, with drinks, live music and video showings included in the entrance price.

A previously unidentified bas-relief carving of the Greek wind god, Aeolus, has now been definitely attributed to the great renaissance master Michelangelo Buonarotti.

The small town of Genzano, in the Castelli Romani near Rome, is to hold the 232 nd edition of its famous Flower Festival on the 11-14 June 2010.... 

15 towns within a 60-km radius in the provinces of Piacenza and Parma, known as Terre Verdiana (Verdi Land) in honour of the famous Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi, born at Roncole de Busseto, Parma in 1813, are staging a three month musical event between the 11 June- 29 August 2010.

Ten finalists have been selected for this years Most Beautiful Garden in Italy contest, organized by Briggs & Stratton, the US manufacturer of garden equipment and machinery.

An unusual exhibition in Rome involving eleven contemporary international artists and spread over five highly evocative Roman sights ....

The long overdue restoration of the great amphitheatre of Pompeii and its re-opening to the public will be celebrated with a concert on the 10 June 2010, 

On the 23 May 2010, the botanical garden of the splendid historic villa of the Sanvitale family at Fontanellato, near Parma (Reggio Emilia) will hold a big family picnic party, open to all.

Florence, the famous city of art, takes on an unusual role between the 28 and 31 May 2010, when the Icecream Festival will be held in some of the citys finest squares.

The small town of Salemi in Sicily has organized its own special celebrations to mark the coming 150 th anniversary of the Unification of Italy.