ItalyUpdate

The 12 th edition of the Festival of Gioia, directed by eminent Italian writer Dacia Mariani, concludes this years series on the 27 September 2012. Created with the intention of rescuing the abandoned village of Gioia Vecchio, destroyed in the Marsica earthquake of 1915, from oblivion, the Festival expanded this year to include the entire Marsica mountain region of Abruzzo, which lies within the territory of the National Park.This year's version featured 16 works, performed in Ortuccio, Villetta Barrea, Pescasseroli, Avezzano, Ortona, Pescina, Gioia del Marsi and also L'Aquila.

On the Feast of San Lorenzo, the 10 August, which is traditionally the best night for seeing shooting stars in the Italian night sky, wine glasses will be raised all over the peninsula for the annual Movimento Turismo del Vino (wine tourism organization) event. Over a million wine lovers are expected to participate in some 200 Italian towns belonging to the National Association Città˝ del Vino (Wine Cities) as well as in many individual cellars.

Lovers of the wines of the Puglie region can have a field day on the 4 August 2012 at Grottaglie, the town famed for the production of ceramics and terracotta where the Wine and Music Festival will be held. Imbibers can also enjoy local gastronomic specialities, such as orechiette (little ears pasta), friselle, salamis and cheeses.

Until the 4 November 2012, visitors to Villa d'Este at Tivoli can enjoy as extra treat. The exhibition: Magnificence at Table. The Art of the Renaissance Banquet, set out in the splendidly frescoed rooms of the palace leading down to the gardens and the fountains, gives a glimpse of high society living at the time of Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este, who built the villa.  

The VI edition of the annual International Guitar Festival, staged in the spa resort of Fiuggi (Lazio), held between the 17-22 July 2012, featured the performances of world class musicians from France, the UK, Cuba, Hungary, Spain, Mexico and Italy in twenty-five concerts held over five evenings.

The ancient clifftop town of Civita da Bagnoregio, situated on the Lazio-Umbria border and reached only by a stone footbridge across the valley, has long been a favourite subject for artists and writers.

The exhibition Francesco, il Santo. Capolavori nei secoli e dal territorio reatino (Francis, the Saint. Masterpieces over the centuries from Rieti Territory) is running until the 4 November 2012 in three different venues in the town of Rieti (Lazio).

COLOSSEUM BY MOONLIGHT

 Throughout the summer and early autumn, it will be possible to visit Rome's most famous monument by night. Every Thursday and Saturday, two guided tours of the monument and the underground tunnels used by the gladiators to access the arena will take place at 8.20pm and 10.45 pm. The tours will be available until the 6 October 2012.

For information and booking: Tel. (0039) 06. 39967700 www.pierreci.it

The Marisa Cuomo Gran Furor Wine Cellar from the town of Furore on the Amalfi Coast scooped up a prestigious special diploma at this year's edition of the Enologico Internazionale Selezione del Sindaco 2012, held at Lamezia Terme (Calabria) on the 25-27 May.

Gioacchino Rossini is honoured every year in Pesaro (Marche), his place of birth, with an international opera festival entirely dedicated to the works of the great Italian composer. The Festival not only features the maestro's well-known works, but also sets out to recuperate little-known or forgotten operas.