- BY ISSIMO
- January 10, 2024
As the Italian Renaissance poet and writer Dante Alighieri wrote: “Beauty awakens the soul to act.” At ISSIMO, we couldn’t agree more, especially when it comes to the kind of soul-stirring inspiration we take from the beauty of Italian culture including festivals and traditions, food, music, film, and more.
2024 is set to be another epic year of cultural events and attractions across Italy, with new discoveries that are sure to ignite your senses and spark your curiosities. Enchanted by the idea of dressing up for a traditional carnival or parade? Preparing your tastebuds for a tantalising season of sagre? Anticipating a year full of fairs, exhibitions, and musical masterpieces? Every region boasts its own tapestry of cultural marvels, and there’s far too many to count!
Heritage festivals and historical traditions
Pretty soon we’ll be polishing up those Arlecchino and Colombina masks (unless you’re more the Pulcinella type!) and preparing for all the colour and flair of the Carnevale di Venezia (The Carnival of Venice, 27th January – 13th February). This world-famous annual cultural festival traces its origins back to the year 1162, and continues to be a captivating spectacle of performance, dance and costume that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Siena’s Piazza del Campo will come to life with an electrifying atmosphere twice this year for the annual Palio di Siena (2nd July and 16th August), when thousands of spectators cram shoulder-to shoulder to witness a centuries local horse racing tradition. After cheering on ten horses representing different regions that bolt around the Piazza in a flash, you’ll be immersed in a host of other parades and festivities across the charming Tuscan city that celebrate its intriguing medieval culture.
More than likely you’ll walk down the street somewhere in Italy this year and stumble upon a religious parade or festival. From north to south, there are hundreds of them! In early September, the Festa di Piedigrotta in Naples and Pompei celebrates the Madonna of the Piedigrotta, and features some of the city’s most-loved folk tunes, a song contest, parades and of course, lots of fireworks. Speaking of lighting up the sky, the Macchina di Santa Rosa in Viterbo (Lazio) is an illuminated 30 metre-high tower built each year to celebrate the city’s patron saint, which is the cornerstone of an annual procession through the city (3rd September). If the collective joy and atmospheric buzz of religious parades ignites your spirit of discovery, we also suggest a trip down south to Palmi (Reggio Calabria) for the Varia di Palmi procession in late August, and to Palermo for the Festa di Santa Rosalia (mid-July).
Seasonal sensory delights
Flowers and food…two of ISSIMO’s greatest loves! Held in the spring months of May and June. Italy’s Infiorata Festival celebrates the tradition of creating mesmerising images and ‘carpets’ out of flowers, which enliven the streets in specific cities and towns across the regions including Spello (Umbria), Genzano (Lazio), and Noto (Sicily). Translating to ‘decorated with flowers’ Infiorata is an artform that uses the vibrant colours and textures of flower petals and other materials to create intricate designs that adorn the streets around churches and religious monuments.
Nothing says ‘cultural feast’ quite like Italy’s beloved sagre. These vibrant food festivals are central to regional culture, and are a favourite annual event for locals of all generations (and tourists too!). If Langhe’s Sagra del Risotto and Siracusa’s Festa della Fragola (Strawberry Festival) don’t get your taste buds tingling, some of our other favourites to add to your calendar include the Sagra del Tartufo Bianco (White Truffle Festival in Pisa’s San Miniato), the Sagra del Peperoncino (Diamante, Calabria) and the Romanesco Artichoke Festival (right near La Posta Vecchia in Ladispoli) are great ways to explore Italy’s diverse regions and flavours. Our mouths are watering at the thought, and there’s hundreds more to discover throughout the year!
Films, fairs, and the front row
Ah Venezia – ‘The City of Love’ – a destination that’s high up on our list for world-renowned cultural experiences this year. If you’ve never attended a film festival before, there’s nothing quite like witnessing the glamour, history and atmospheric buzz of the Venice International Film Festival, which will present its 81st edition this year (28 August – 7 September). While you’re there, make sure you leave yourself (at least) a few extra days to see the Venice Art Biennale (20 April – 24 November), which will explore the theme of ‘Foreigners Everywhere’ this year.
Art is a way of life in Italy; a cornerstone of our cultural identity. In fact, we could create another article focussed entirely on the country’s art events this year! But a few others to add to your calendar that the whole family can enjoy include Artefiera in Bologna (1-3 February), Torino’s international Artissima art show (1-3 November), and of course, the extensive program of exhibitions scheduled at some of our favourite galleries and museums including Triennale Milano and Palazzo Reale (Milano), Palazzo Strozzi (Florence), Museo MAXXI (Rome) and Museo Madre (Naples).
Doesn’t it feel like there’s a new cultural or design-based event happening every few days in Milan? That’s because… there is! From the immersive showcase of international modern and contemporary art at Miart (12 -14 April), to the week-long frenzy of design innovations and visionary ideas at Salone del Mobile (Milan Design Week, 16 -21 April), there’s barely a moment to catch your breath. And of course, Milano isn’t Milano without fashion week, right? An electrifying atmosphere will take over the city during Milano Fashion Week (Women’s Fashion Week runs from 20 -26 February and 17-23 September) as hordes of international visitors descend on the city to witness the haute couture and ready-to-wear collections by houses including Giorgio Armani, Dolce&Gabbana, Fendi and more.
Music to your ears
Imagine life without music. Impossible! Luckily, Italy’s cultural calendar is also brimming with music events and performances to delight all tastes and styles. Take a trip to the dreamy city of Verona and spend a night under the stars immersed in arias from Aida and Turandot at the Arena di Verona Opera Festival (8 June – 7 September). Or why not discover the rich history of Italy’s very first music festival, the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (Florence Musical May, from 13 April onwards), which is back this year with its signature program of four operas staged by Opera di Firenze.
More of a jazz fan than an opera buff? Umbria Jazz (12 – 21 July) is a superb reason to visit this art-filled region in central Italy. This year’s program features a lineup of contemporary international songwriters, touring artists, bands and musicians that will bring a unique dynamic performance energy to the historical city. Always a favourite in Italy’s annual cultural calendar, the Spoleto Festival returns this year for its 67th edition. This extravaganza of music, dance, opera, theatre and art will bring you up close to some of the world’s most celebrated and passionate performers, and immerse you in a holistic cultural experience like no other.
From Lombardy to Lazio, Umbria to Sicily, Italy offers a feast of cultural events this year. All that’s left to do is to grab some friends, and go out there and explore them! We’ve only scratched the surface here, and we can’t wait to see you out and about, as you continue to discover why culture really is the heartbeat of the Bel Paese.
