ItalyUpdate

The picturesque cavern town of Matera (Basilicata), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is to put on the worlds biggest living nativity representation on the 28 th and 29 th December 2010, with almost a thousand actors and extras taking part.

From the 18 th December 2010 to the 16 th January 2011, visitors to the town of Isola di Grado (Gorizia in Fruili Venezia Giulia) will be able to participate in free conducted tours round the island to see the exceptional display of 150 Christmas cribs, including many with a sea theme.

The Campania region and Sicily are launching an interesting culinary event at Sorrento centred on the cuisine of the Reign of the Two Sicilies.

The town of Soncino, near Cremona (Lombardia), has prepared a magical Christmas especially for children (and their parents) where elves, gnomes,  pixies and other fairytale personages lead visitors round  the Enchanted Village set up in the 17 th century spinning mill La Filanda and the grounds of the castle.

Milans famous La Scala opera house opens the new 2011 season with Richard Wagner Die Walkure, conducted by Daniel Barenboim and with a glittering cast of top world Wagner singers.

55,000 visitors participated in the 2 nd edition of the event Musei in Musica (Music in Museums) held in Rome on the 20 th November 2010 between 8pm and 2am.

Prize for the best cocktail in the 61 st AIBES National Contest for Italian barmen was won this year by a barlady.

Romes zoo, now renamed the Biopark is to celebrate its centenary on the 5 th January 2011 with a new publication entitled The Jungle of Villa Borghese by Spartaco Gippoliti.

The season of natureâ most precious fungus is with us again and this year has recorded the find of gigantic truffles in various areas of Italy. ...

The biggest solar energy park in Europe will be officially inaugurated on the 23 rd November 2010 at Rovigo (Veneto).