The 78th edition of the event “Estate Musicale Chigiana” has begun on Sunday 18th July with a concert of Sofia Festival Orchestra, and the next appointment is scheduled for Saturday 24th July with the cello Antonio Meneses, followed by Joaquin Achucarro at the piano on Tuesday 27th.

Also in August, the appointments will be many: from 4th to 25th, several concerts are scheduled, having has protagonists instruments such as viola, violin, cello, piano, double bass, clarinet and some of the greatest international artists.

But the summer dedicated to the music in Siena continues. As a matter of fact, the great Siena Jazz Festival 2010 comes back to wonder spectators with great guests from all over the world.

From Friday 23rd July until 7th August 2010, the Fondazione Siena Jazz, the institution for high quality jazz training, once again organizes this great musical event, with the presence of great artists coming from America and Europe.

Where is Siena Jazz Festival 2010? Obviously in the most charming and striking places of the city! Jam sessions and extraordinary live performance will wait for you.

This year, visitors will find on the stage great international names such as John Taylor, Aaron Goldberg, Michael Blake, Jim Snidero, John Riley, Kenny Werner, Bobby Watson, Avishai Cohen, Glenn Ferris, Seamus Blake, Drew Gress, Ferenc Nemeth, Reuben Rogers, Eric Harland, Anders Jormin, Peter Bernstein, Ben Monder, Kenny Wheeler, Joel Frahm, Scott Colley, Omar Avital and Jeremy Pelt.

In addition, also many Italian artists will be present, such as Riccardo Del Fra, Stefano Battaglia, Bruno Tommaso, Furio Di Castri, Pietro Leveratto, Massimo Manzi and many others. On Saturday 24th July, Seminari Estivi (Summer Courses) of Siena Jazz will begin with the Orchestra InJam and the guest Gless Ferris.

The last two appointments are scheduled for 5th, 6th and 7th August at Enoteca Italiana (at 9.45 pm - free entrance) with many bands and jazz artists.

Finally, we remind you another appointment with music in Siena: the 35th edition of Cantiere Internazionale d’Arte in Montepulciano (a small ancient village located near Siena). The event, which was created by the composer Hans Werner Henze, began on 15th July and will continue until 1st August 2010, offering its audience its main feature: the interaction between professional, famous artists and young talents.

Once again, among the green rolling Tuscan hills and the charming Renaissance’ buildings, operas and performances created by famous contemporary authors will be put on the stage for the first time.

This year, the event aims to experimentation and innovation through studies and workshops about techniques for composing and performances.

Tomorrow, on Thursday 22nd July, Recital per violino e pianoforte is scheduled for 6 pm with the violin Eva Thorarinsdottir, and Malcom Forbes and Peckham at the piano, whereas the Concert of Contemporary Music “Ensemble 2 Agosto” is scheduled for 9.30 pm, with an absolute premiere of contemporary music.

This and much more wait for you in the medieval city of Siena, for a summer in the pursuit of music, rich in concerts, live performances and musical courses.

For further information about events in Siena, please visit our online tourist guide to Siena: www.aboutsiena.com.

A folkloristic traditional event, which every year draws the attention of thousands visitors, experts and curious people from every corner of Italy and the world.

The picturesque Piazza del Campo, a shell-shaped square famous in the world for its particular aspect, will host once again ten of the 17 contradas of the city. In fact, we remind you that each contradas has a horse representing it in the race.

This year, the 10 contradas running in the Palio are the following:

AQUILA (Eagle)
BRUCO (Caterpillar)
GIRAFFA (Giraffe)
LEOCORNO (Unicorn)
NICCHIO (Seashell)
SELVA (Forest)
TORRE (Tower)
ONDA (Wave)
ISTRICE (Porcupine)
DRAGO (Dragon)

The Palio, an event that has become part of Siena citizens’ life, takes its origins in 1644, when the first palio with horses was held.

From tomorrow, on Tuesday June 29th, there will be four days for preparing initiatives and events for the palio. As traditions says, the burst of the firecracker will ratify the going out of the horses from the Entrone.

The horses will have to complete three laps around the picturesque square (about 1 km). The winning Contrade will be the one whose horse, with or without jockey, will get before and win the famous Drappellone or Palio, which every year is designed by a special artist.

We remind you that it is advisable to arrive at Piazza del Campo about half an our before the Historical Parade. At Piazza del Campo it is possible to watch for free the race.

For further information about Siena and other events in Siena, please visit the website www.aboutsiena.com

It is for this reason that the city of Siena celebrates this recurrence with an event including several fields that aim to involve all the city with many initiatives: children, adults and elderly people.

Such an event will go on until May 31st 2010…so if you are in the neighborhood of Siena or you have never visited the city, this could be a perfect chance!

In fact, the programme of the “La Città del Sì” - a periphrasis of a famous sentence by Dante Alighieri - includes many reviews, exhibitions, shows and conventions.

Every weekend – from Friday to Sunday – visitors will find many appointments and events for tourists and Siena citizens, who will proudly show to be the heirs of the prosperous Republic of the Middle Ages. Good old times!

Until May 31st 2010, visitors will find also an interesting exhibition at Santa Maria della Scala Museum entitled Libri e fotografie del fondo Giuliano Briganti e dell’Istituto d’arte, a beautiful itinerary into Siena’s art between 13th and 14th centuries (opening hours from Monday to Thursday, from 9 am to 5 pm).

In addition, on next Saturday May 1st 2010, from 10 am to 1 pm, with the initiative called “Le Contrade aprono i loro luoghi più sacri”, it will be also possible to visit (booking at Comune di Siena) the museums of Contrada Imperiale della Giraffa, Contrada Sovrana dell’Istrice, Nobile Contrada del Nicchio, Contrada Capitana dell’Onda, Contrada della Pantera e Contrada della Torre.

Events, museums, culture…for a May dedicated to fun in the medieval and wonderful city of Siena.

Further information about events in Siena are available on the useful online tourist guide to Siena, www.aboutsiena.com

For the next ten days (April 16-25th) Italians and foreigners alike will enjoy this unique opportunity to experience the beauty and culture that exists within the walls of its most prestigious and visited locations without having to pay a dime.

Each city has its gems, and here’s a breif description of a few: Click on the citiy names for a more in depth description of the museums, monuments and more!

Florence: City of Renaissance art. He’re you’ll find the incredible Uffizi Gallery with its incredible collection of famous art from the middle ages all the way through the 18th century (featuring two of Botticelli`s greatest works), the Galleria dell’Academia – with Michelangelo’s famous statue of  ‘David’ …

Venice: The city of Venice is basically a museum its self, but it you’re in the area and looking to visit some interesting places, be sure to see the Peggy Guggenheim Museum which is the most important museum of European and American contemporary art in Italy …

Siena:  Looking for museums filled with fine examples of paintings and sculpture from the Romanic, Gothic and Pre-Renaissance periods? Be sure to see Siena’s wide array including the Museo Civico (Civic Museum) where a great selection of incredible frescoes are displayed…

Milan: This city has much more to offer than just fashion! When in Milan you will want to be sure and see the Brera Art Gallery - one of the greatest galleries containing several masterpieces of Italian art from the 14th to the 20th century such as: Raphael’s “Marriage of the Virgin” …

Turin: the fourth largest city in Italy, Tourin, holds within its land some incredible places to visit. Among them you will find the Museum of Contemporary Art, Castello di Rivoli (which has a permanent collection that gathers works of great European and American artists), and yearly exhibitions with prestigious and international artists.

Not to mention the aristocratic palaces and the historical residences in the centre of many cities of art, including Arezzo, Siena, Pisa, etc.

Even the famous tenor Enrico Caruso, at the apex of his career, decided to buy two villas located on Florentine hills. In short, Tuscany is really rich in villas.

And in the last few years, an increasing number of tourists chose to spend their holidays in a villa in Tuscany.

Would you like to spend pleasant holidays in a villa in Tuscany?

In the website of “Holiday Homes Tuscany srl” you will find a wide range of Tuscan villas of different sizes, very convenient prices and conditions.

Choose the villa that best fits your requirements among those suggested in the website of “HolidayHomesTuscany srl”.

E-mail or phone us and book the villa of your dreams in just a few minutes, for unforgettable holidays in the charming Tuscany…in one of the several Tuscany Villas.

Now you can find all the information you need also on the page of About Italy on Facebook! It’s really easy, become our fan and you will receive real-time updating about events, exhibitions, performances, sport and cultural events in the most beautiful Italian cities: Florence, Milan, Pisa, Rome, Siena, Turin, Venice…and don’t forget about the valley of Mugello, the Versilia coast and the Region of Liguria!

Italy is full of wonderful places to discover and visit among mountains and the sea, from the North to the South…you will be spoilt for choice! In order to know the events of the week, you need just a click and will find practical and useful information and tips for knowing and taking part in the several events in Italy. You won’t miss a thing.

Now that we are on Facebook, you will find every single information you need also on Networkedblogs!

Follow About Italy Blog also on Networkedblogs, our continuously up-to-date page with the brand new articles about events in Italy.

Over 200 of you already became our fans, about 60 people keep on follow our updating through Networkedblogs….So we would like to thank you all, keep it up! We wait for you in great numbers!

We remind you also that all kind of feedbacks, comments, suggestions and tips about our blog are always welcome.

In fact, the exhibition, which is under way since last September, will end on 10^th January 2010, and until then visitors will have the chance to marvel at 114 pictures, among which there are some unpublished pieces. So, if you intend to give a look at it in these days, we would like to give you a short introduction to the artist.

She was born in 1958, daughter of the artists Betty and George Woodman, and she began to work in the field of photography when she was just 13 years old, when she created her first self-portrait. Later on, the artist kept on taking pictures of herself in domestic settings, in the nature, alone or with friends, during actions and planned performances. Francesca committed suicide in January 1981, at the age of just 22 years old.

The artist’s creations focus on the relation between her body, object and subject of her self-portraits, and her look. She doesn’t give an idealized vision of herself, but on the contrary, her own image is always inserted into the universe, as if she was part of it.

Along the exhibition itinerary, accompanied by a catalogue edited by Silvana Editoriale with texts created by Isabel Tejeda, Marco Pierini, Rossella Caruso and Lorenzo Fusi, it will be possible also to watch some short videos made by the artist.

For further information about museums, exhibitions and events in Siena, please visit our website www.aboutsiena.com

In the Belpaese, you will be spoilt for choice! We would like to remind all our visitors the best events and parties organized in the most beautiful Italian cities, where you will find great celebrations, fireworks, music at full volume, dances and delicious wine and food.

The cosmopolitan city of Turin, in the region of Piedmont, in 2010 will be elected “European Capital of Youth”. In order to show such a merit, the young city of Turin for the New Year’s Eve 2010 organizes a special evening with loud music, a concert which will take place in Piazza Vittorio Veneto from 9.30 pm, an event dedicated to people under 35! The absolute protagonists of the night will be the famous English group Groove Armada and the American group Juliette Lewis and New Romantics, followed by many other artists until midnight, when it will be time for spectacular fireworks.

In Milan on the other hand, in Piazza Stuparich from 10.00 pm to 2.00 am there will be the Galà at Palalido: the event will start with the concert of Nora De Stefani and after, the famous italian singer Fausto Leali with his orchestra.

In the charming Venice, we underline the fabulous and romantic New Year’s Eve celebration called “Love”, which is characterized by a general kiss at midnight and also by much music in the streets and many fireworks.

In the wonderful city of Florence there will be many famous Italian artists in concert, such as Lucio Dalla, Irene Grandi and the group Negrita, which will exhibit between the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella and Piazza della Stazione.

In Siena, it could be a good idea to spend the New Year’s Eve in the streets and squares of the city, among the enlightened little streets which make Siena even more beautiful; otherwise, it could be very nice to spend the night in an agriturismo, to taste typical food and wine. In the famous square Piazza del Campo there will be a great party for everyone, with music and images screenings, between innovation and tradition, music and art,

Otherwise…we could go to Rome for the New Year’s Eve 2010! And why not, near the Roman Coliseum, with much good music and great Italian guests such as the singer Antonello Venditti and the group Zero Assoluto, with a free concert. Much entertainment and fun waiting the end of the year in company with great singers of Italian music.

So guys…you’ll find fun and entertainment of any kind here in Italy…choose your Italian city! Squares, Clubs and discos, concerts with much music at full volume, spectacular fireworks…a perfect New Year’s Eve celebration!

From Milan, to Tuscany, Liguria, Rome and Sicily…Spend the New Year’s Eve 2010 in Italy!

Happy New Year to Everyone from About Italy Staff !!!

With no doubts people love and hate them, but the season of Christmas markets has come and it will be in all the Italian cities!

Colored lights, stands full of sweets, traditions and handicrafts products, toys and decorations will be placed along the streets and in the most famous (and not) squares in Italy. So, get ready to snoop around, nibbling and why not, to purchase the first Christmas gifts!

From Sicily to Valle d’Aosta, Italy in this period is full of such nice markets which welcome many Italians and foreign visitors, who come here to just take a look at the stalls rich of curious and original things. The list is endless, but we want to remind you the most unique noteworthy ones.

So…how not to mention the very famous Christams markets typical of Northern Italy! In Arco (in the province of Trento) there’s the Mercatino Asburgico until 23rd December 2009, an event which takes place every week-end with several appointments, such as the Alpenzoo and for the children, the fantastic little Christmas train which will bring them around the city! In the historic centre you will find 25 stands set up with typical handicrafts products: sweets and decorations, biscuits and little gift ideas, rag dolls, candles, little wood statues, glass and ceramics objects, toys, etc.

Still in the Northern Italy, in the cosmopolitan and dynamic city of Milan, in December there’s the Christmas and Artistic Handicrafts Market in Largo Corsia dei Servi (between Piazza Duomo and Piazza San Babila), all days from 10 am to 10 pm.

And in Turin, come and see the Christmas Market “Natale in Quinta”, with many stalls full of handicraft and food products, gifts of any kind in the Area Pepe in Via Gugliemo Pepe (Opening Hours: weekdays from 3 pm to 7.30 pm; days before a holiday and Saturdays from 10 pm to 7.30 pm; Sundays from 10 am to 7 pm).

And now, let’s go by the sea, in Liguria region! In fact since November, in the city of Genoa, in piazza Matteotti, there’s the Bottega Equo-Solidale with textiles and gastronomy products coming from the South of the World, whereas until 23^rd December there will be the traditional Market of St. Nicola (in Piazza Piccapietra) where there’s a Middle Ages setting and traders wear medieval costumes. Obviously, you can find handicraft products on sale, but some stalls which sell objects to give to charity.

Moving towards Savona, we find several Christmas markets in the city, among the others, the ones remaining are: on 20^th December in via Guidobono, on 18th December Santa Rita, on 23rd and 24th December the Fiera di Natale in piazza del Popolo and via Guidobono.

In the magical city of Florence, which in Christmas time becomes even more beautiful, from 2^nd to 20^th December 2009, as every year, the Heidelberg German Christmas Market will take place in the historical Piazza Santa Croce (“Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt”): here you will find Christmas decorations, wood decorations for your houses, typical products like brezen, beer, wurstel and many sweets.

In Pisa, go visit the Christmas Market which is held all December long under the Loggias dei Banchi from 8.30 am to 9.30 pm: here you will find several stalls offering local handicrafts products, toys, Christmas decorations, sweets, wines and gastronomy products.

Still in Tuscany, in the medieval city of Lucca surrounded by its ancient and high walls, there’s the “Fiera di San Michele di Natale”, a Christmas fair which takes place from December 8^th to 26^th 2009, with over 70 stands offering handicrafts and gastronomy products, Christmas decorations, toys and sweets.

Finally, we remind you that in Rome from 1^st December 2009 to 6^th January 2010 there will be traditional and expected Christmas Market in Piazza Navona, where visitors will find many stands offering sweets, decorations and toys. By the way, the absolute protagonist of the event will be the Befana: in fact, on stalls you will find many beautiful little statues dedicated to the Befana of all shapes and size, and also her famous and beloved socks!

I told you so! You’ll be spoilt for choice! And this is just a small part of the long list of Christmas markets in Italy.

If you would like to have more information about events in Italy, Christmas markets in Italy and fairs during Christmas time, keep in touch with us on our blog! For the moment, I wish you happy holidays and have nice shopping days!!

Tuscany can boast of several records, especially one: this region was the first in the world to abolish the capital punishment. In fact on November 30^th 1796, the enlightened Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo banished confiscation, torture and death penalty through a single law.

Since 2001, Tuscany has been celebrating this historical occurrence with an official feast, which even schedules a holiday for the schools of the ancient Grand Duchy and a program rich of events spread on all the regional area.

This initiative aims not only to remind and celebrate a defining moment of modern history, but in particular to reflect on the present and the future of the whole mankind. It’s important to notice, in fact, that the capital punishment is still applied in many countries in the world, and that Italian State is fighting for its abolition with an international moratorium at UN.

Hence this topic is a living matter, together with other related issues as democracy, peace, equality and justice all over the world.

Tuscany Feast so deals with values which are not only strictly related to death penalty, but also to other current problems, such as dialogue among different cultures and inclusion, sexual equality and deaths on-the-job. For this reason, during the event, congresses, lectures and official meetings are scheduled, to which many politicians, professors and famous journalists will take part.

In this view, special attention will be dedicated to the future of new generations, with a series of festivals, renowned awards (as the “Vespucci”) and contests in different fields dedicated to young people.

But Tuscany Feast is also culture and fun! More than 700 events are scheduled, such as photographic and painting exhibitions, books and DVDs presentations, live concerts, dance performances and festivals of cinema, historical parades, prestigious palaces open to visitors… and much more!

An all-accomplished cultural proposal, conceived in order to involve everybody in a event that, even if in a joyful atmosphere, looks at past to learn how to build a better future for humanity.

The events of Tuscany Feast begin already on November 25th and they continue in the following days; the main location is the “capital” Florence, but many shows are also on display in the cities of Versilia (Pisa, Lucca, Massa, Camaiore…), in Siena, Arezzo, Grosseto, Prato, Pistoia…and in all the little towns and villages of Tuscany.

The whole calendar is available on the official website of the Region, whereas for all the information about the most interesting cities and events in Tuscany, you can visit www.aboutflorence.com and www.aboutversilia.com