Since two days, ART, the International Crafts Fair, has come back to Florence.

The exhibition, which takes place just on 1^st May long weekend, on the occasion of the Labor Day, as well as an exhibition and an economic event, also represents a homage to an important workers category, the craftsmen.

At its 73^rd edition, ART is one of the most expected events in Florence by all the handicraft Italian and foreign lovers. In fact the fair, which every year gathers thousands people among the pavilions of Fortezza da Basso, is a real meeting-point for the very best of crafts made-in-Italy.

As in the past, the exhibition is subdivided into

On April Wednesday 22^nd, the International Furniture Fair will come back to the city of Milan, still rich of innovations and surprises despite its 48 seasons.

The International Furniture Fair of Milan, together with the long series of Milanese trade shows, such as the one showing furniture and lighting elements, is the most important event in this sector and it boasts of international prestige and also of a universally renowned reputation.

 As every year, the extraordinary initiative organized by the Department of Cultural Heritage is come back for promoting the Italian culture: the 11^th Week of Culture.

In fact, in all the Italian cities from April 18^th to 26^th, museums, archaeological excavations, churches and monuments will open their doors to visitors, so that for a whole week the spaces of culture will have no metes and bounds.

Tourists, schools children and simple citizens who can’t wait to enjoy a couple of days in the interests of culture, will be the protagonists of this project, and the most important and beautiful places of our country’s culture will be invaded.

In fact, the slogan

This year MiArt returns for its 14^th season, the International Modern and Contemporary Art Fair which represents a usual appointment for the whole city of Milan and for the entire Italian artistic scene.

Milan Art, set as every year in the fieramilanocity area, is an important event for artists and modern and contemporary art lovers. In fact, every year the best Italian and foreign 20^th century collections are selected and put on view at the fair, and the most beautiful and innovative contemporary artworks in the international artistic scene are carefully selected for the exhibition.

This important event can boast of the fact that changes and improves year after year, in order to give artists more attention and to provide them better visibility, and to give collectors and art lovers the chance to see the most important masterpieces of modern and contemporary art gathered together.

In particular for this edition, MiArt intends to put stress on the dialogue with citizens and with the thousands aspects of the beautiful city of Milan, into the shoes of a showcase of strong business, cultural and social potential of Milan, a continuously developing city, the same city which is always on the go, as painted by the futurist Balla.

An event not to be missed, Mi Art awaits you in great numbers from April 17^th to 20^th at Fieramilanocity.

And in addition guys, remember that it’s springtime, so why don’t allow yourself a week-end in the amazing city of Milan!!?

Easter is coming and as every year, the About Italy staff can’t do without remind you the extraordinary tradition of the Burst of the Cart which gives to the Florentine Easter a really special atmosphere.

Yes, because every year Duomo Square in Florence turns into the protagonist of a really peculiar event, which boasts of a very ancient tradition, rich sacred and profane elements.

The burst of the cart is one of the most expected events in the Tuscan town, which every year gathers not only all the Florentine citizens, but also several tourists coming from every corner of Italy and of the world.

It’s about a really spectacular cart, called Brindellone,

After Monet’s Japanese water lilies, springtime comes back…this time in Rome, with the traditional appointment with the Mostra Collettiva di Primavera (spring collective exhibition).

This event, now on its 35^th edition, will fill the halls of the Gallery of Contemporary Art Edarcom Europa with unique and colorful works, until 24^th April.

In Milan, a really special exhibition will be set and will show everyone the perfect fusion between Japan and Monet’s skillful art.

The exhibition, entitled “Monet e il Giappone, il Tempo delle Ninfee” (“Monet and Japan, the Time of Water Lilies”) will enchant the Royal Palace rooms of Milan from April 29^th to September 27^th.

In fact Monet, one of the most esteemed French painters in the history of art, has always showed a particular tendency for Japan, its history, its spirituality and its artistic expressions.

Monet was particularly attracted by the Japanese naturalism, which was born from a philosophical conception of nature that subsequently appeared also in the arts and most of all in painting; he dedicated most of his artistic life to this kind of painting. The Japanese naturalism conceived the nature as a real condition of men.

The nature, introduced in a time which doesn’t go by and doesn’t move is for the man, who has to pay respect to it and to enjoy its precious benefits and treasures.

Therefore, this extraordinary exhibition at Royal Palace of Milan consists of a twenty works, which were born from the connection between French impressionism and Japanese naturalism.

The event is absolutely not to miss and remember, it will take place from April 29^th to September 27^th in Milan.