VICENZA, Italy (April 15, 2019) -- This year, Easter Sunday (Domenica di Pasqua) is celebrated April 21. In Italy, Easter is a sacred season for Catholics and is accompanied by several traditions that vary from Good Friday's Passion processions to more ludic activities from painting hard-boiled eggs to decorating Easter peach-tree branches with colored bows and handcrafted eggs.
Some processions are realistic and representative of Jesus' walk to Golgotha Hill, and the entire village takes part, becoming an attraction for tourists.
The top tradition is to purchase and donate brightly wrapped big chocolate Easter eggs (Uova di Pasqua) that contain a little surprise. They are made in many different sizes of milk and dark chocolate with fancy colorful decorations. In recent times, Easter eggs have been accompanied by chocolate shaped as chickens or rabbits.
In Rome, the typical Easter dish is abbacchio con patate (baked lamb with potatoes) and the most famous Italian traditional Easter cake is la Colomba Pasquale, a sponge cake covered with glaze and almonds and shaped as a dove, symbol of peace.
Another typical cake is la Pastiera Napoletana (Neapolitan crusty pie), more common in South Italy, made of a crusty pie with ricotta cheese, wheat and liqueur "Strega," a digestive liqueur from Benevento made of about 70 herbs, mint and fennel.
Pasquetta, or Easter Monday, is another important holiday in Italy. It's a chance to celebrate friendships with picnics and outdoor field trips with friends and family. Painted boiled eggs are usually eaten at those picnics.
This year, Easter Monday falls on April 22, celebrated as Earth Day around the world. It is an opportunity to emphasize our commitment to stewardship of the lands and environmental resources entrusted to us, the lands where all of us live and work.
VENETO
TEATRO COMUNALE CITTÀ DI VICENZA
Vicenza Municipal Theater: Events, Music & Ballet
All of the following events will take place in Vicenza, Viale Mazzini 39 (Tel: 0444-32 4442. Buy tickets online at biglietteria@tcvi.it :
• April 15, 8:45 p.m., German-Korean violinist Suyoen Kim plays sonatas by Bach with a 1684 Stradivari violin. Cost: €22 adults; €16 over 65, and €12 under 30.
• April 20, 9 p.m., homage to Marika Besobrasova with ballet and modern dance performances from the best European ballet schools. Ticket cost: €15.
• April 30, 7:45 p.m., The Royal Opera livestreams "Faust" from the Royal Opera House with Michael Fabiano as Faust; Erwin Schrott as Mephistopheles and Diana Damrau as Marguerite. Cost: €12 adults; €10 over 65 and under 30.
FESTIVAL DANZA IN RETE OFF 2a Edizione
Ballet Festival Off Net 2nd Edition
Through April 18, several ballet performances, as listed below, between the cities of Vicenza and Schio. Cost is €5. For information, visit www.festivaldanzainrete.it
• April 16, 9 p.m., Silvia Bertoncelli in Alaska/Chopin & Beethoven ballet, Teatro Comunale, Viale Mazzini 39, Vicenza
• April 18, 9 p.m., Francesca Foscarini with "Dance Well Group" for Parkinson's disease cure and research in "Oro. L'arte di Resistere" (Gold. The Art of Resisting), that refers to Bassano del Grappa, a Veneto Gold Medal town, that, during World War II, resisted the enemy. The performance will take place at Teatro Civico di Schio, Via Maraschin 19, Schio (Vicenza). Tel: 0445-52-5577
DANCE WELL Ricerca & Movimento per il Parkinson
DANCE WELL Parkinson's disease Movement & Research
Through April 20, Thursdays, 5:30 p.m., Teatro Civico, Via Maraschin 19, Schio (Vicenza). Tel: 0445-52-5577. Free contemporary dance classes open to all, regardless of age. No pre-registration required. Each class lasts one hour.
Conservatorio A. Pedrollo
Pedrollo Conservatory (school of music)
Vicenza, Contrà San Domenico 33
The following classical music performances take place Tuesdays at the conservatory concert hall. Entrance free and free parking in the yard. For more information, call 0444-50-7551 or go online at www@consvi.it .
• April 16, 6 p.m., concert performance from Veneto schools of music
• April 30, 6 p.m., concert performance of the conservatory's contest winners
Matinée at Chiericati
Vicenza, Piazza Matteotti, Palazzo Chiericati. Morning concerts with musicians from Olympic Theater Orchestra:
• April 28, 11 a.m., Maestro D. Sanson directs: M. Marangon horn, G. Lucero and F. Perugini trumpets, G. Bastrentaz trombone and V. Del Bianco bass tuba. Music by Bach, Vivaldi, Arnold and Gershwin
• May 12, 11 a.m., Maestro J. Di Tonno directs four cellos with music by Debussy and Ravel
Palladio Olimpico Project (POP)
Vicenza Olympic Theater
Through April 19, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Sunday, Vicenza, Piazza Matteotti. This project is an initiative to make a visit to the Olympic Theatre memorable and innovative. Guests will enjoy a narrative method that will take them on a virtual journey to discover stories, voices, videos and images of the theater. During the 45-minute interactive visit, visitors will be given a tablet for simultaneous translation. Tickets cost €7 and may be purchased 15 minutes before the visit at the IAT Information Office, near the theater entrance. Free tickets for U.S. military and under 18; must show ID card. For more details, visit www.teatrolimpicovicenza.it/ and click on "POP visits."
TEATRO OLIMPICO - OMAGGIO A PALLADIO
Olympic Theater -- Homage to Palladio
On the stage of the most famous theater in Italy, the XXII Homage to Palladio. Three concerts to honor Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, Piazza Matteotti 11, Vicenza. Buy tickets online at biglietteria@tcvi.it:
• May 2, 8:30 p.m., concert for piano and orchestra, music by Beethoven and Mozart. Piano performer Sirandrás Schiff with Schola San Rocco Choir directed by Maestro F. Erle. Cost: €70 for adults and €30 for under 30.
• May 4, 8:30 p.m., concert for piano and orchestra, music by Beethoven and Mozart. Piano performer Sirandrás Schiff with Schola San Rocco Choir directed by Maestro F. Erle. Cost: €70 for adults and €30 for under 30.
• May 5, 8:30 p.m., concert for piano and orchestra, music by Bach, Mozart and Beethoven. Piano performer Sirandrás Schiff with Schola San Rocco Choir directed by Maestro F. Erle. Cost: €70 for adults and €30 for under 30.
POETRY VICENZA FESTIVAL - 5TH EDITION
At Leone Montanari Palace, Contra` Santa Caterina 25, Vicenza, Tel: 800-578875.
Through May 26, "Poetry Vicenza" hosts poets, lecturers and musicians from all over the world for an international festival of poetry and music. Entrance is free.
• May 4, 6 p.m., Pariano Payrou (Spain) lecturer and Lidija Bajuk (Croatia) guitar
• May 11, 6 p.m., Paolo Febbraro & Alberto Cantone
• May 13, 6 p.m., Paolo Fresu presents jazz poems
TEATRO OLIMPICO
Olympic Theater - Vicenza
• May 8, 9 p.m., Nicola Losito piano in partnership with the Pianist Academia of Imola in Nocturne of Chopin. Cost: €30, €25 over 60, and €15 for under 25.
• May 23, 9p.m. Star Lights "Bel Canto e Belle Epoque" (Nice Sing and Belle Epoque) a potpourri of lyric, music and ballet. Victoria Luamina, mezzo-soprano, Massimo Di Stefano, bariton, Denis Zanotto piano, Enrico Balboni, violin and Ottavia Ancettti, ballet. Cost: €30, €25 over 60, and €15 for under 25.
Basilica of Saints Felice and Fortunato
May 3, 8:30 p.m. In the most ancient basilica in Vicenza, a concert with music by Haydn played by piano performer Sirandrás Schiff accompanied by the Schola San Rocco Choir directed by Maestro F. Erle. Cost: €70 central seats and €50 for side seats; reduced €30 for under 30.
VICENZA JAZZ
"Beyond the Pillars of Hercules, looking for a New Moon"
24th edition of Jazz Festival downtown. Information: www.vicenzajazz.org. In case of inclement weather, open-door events will take place at Teatro Comunale, Vicenza. Buy tickets online at biglietteria@tcvi.it; or at Teatro Comunale, Viale Mazzini 39, Vicenza (Tel 0444-324442):
• May 9, 9 p.m., Auditorium Phonato, Thiene, "Inner Sounds." Buy ticket online at www.vivaticket.it .
• May 10, 9 p.m., Teatro Comunale, Vicenza, C. Valdex Jazz Batá Quartet.
• May 11, 9 p.m., Piazza dei Signori, Vicenza, Roy Paci & Aretuska. Free entrance.
• May 12, 9 p.m., Teatro Olympic, Vicenza, Uri Cine Trio in "Calibrated Thickness."
"Da Kandinsky a Botero. Tutti in un filo" - Venezia
"From Kandinsky to Botero. All in one thread," Venice
Through Sept. 30, 10 a.m.-19 p.m. Palazzo Zaguri, Calle Zaguri, Campo San Maurizio (Saint Maurice's square), Venice. An incredible collection of 100 tapestries reproducing the artists' masterpieces. Cost is €16; audio guides and headsets included.
"Bentornata Primavera" -- Riaprono le risorgive del Bacchiglione
"Welcome Back Spring" -- Bacchiglione River springs reopen
Through Sept. 29, Dueville Natural Park (25 hectares) reopens to children, families and birdwatching. Sundays and Italian holidays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Entrance is from Via Bissolati, Dueville or from Via Bosco, Villaverla (Vicenza). Cost is €2 adults; €5 families; free for older than 65 and younger than 10. Guided tours may be organized to visit the park and some areas usually closed to public. The Bacchiglione River springs are part of one of the largest aquifers in Europe.
Verona WORLD WAR II Museum
Forte Lugagnano, Via Lugagnano 87, Verona
The museum is open on the following dates:
May 12, June 16, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. "Vivere la Storia" (Living History) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the military history of Northern Italy during World War II. The newly opened museum details the American, British, Italian and German experiences in WWII and displays original military equipment and historical memorabilia that will transport visitors back in time. Entrance is free. For information: www.viverelastoria.it .
Jazz at Café Pedrocchi -- Padova
April 24, 9:30 p.m., Café Pedrocchi, historic café bar in Padova, Via VIII Febbraio 15, offers a jazz show with the trio of Linda May Han Oh. The event is free with the possibility of reserving a table for the show only, or also to dine. Reservations are recommended; call Café Pedrocchi at 049-878-1231 or email prenotazioni@caffepedrocchi.it (English spoken). Coming from Vicenza, suggested parking is in Piazza Insurrezione, near Corso Milano. Cost for parking is €3 for the evening (after 8 p.m.).
GIARDINITY
Flower Festival
Through April 25, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Vescovana (Padova), Villa Pisani Bolognesi Scalabrin, Via Roma 25. More than 70,000 Dutch tulips; flower and craft exhibit and sale; live music; workshops; cooking courses with flowers and herbs; flower arrangement courses. Entrance fee: €8; €6 for children age 6-10 and senior citizens over 65; free for children younger than 6. For information: www.giardinity.it .
Vicenza "Fiori, colori e…" - 12a Edizione
Vicenza "Flowers, colors and ..." - 12th Edition
April 20-22, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Vicenza, Piazza Castello and downtown. Flowers and plants exhibit and sale; art exhibits. Free event.
Sagra dell'Ottava - Monteviale
Easter Week Festival
April 25-27, and May 3 & 4, weekdays 7-10 p.m.; Sundays, noon-10 p.m., Monteviale (Vicenza). "Ottava" (octave) is the eighth day following a church holiday, and this festival follows Easter Sunday. Food booths feature a wide variety of local specialties; live music and dancing start at 8:30 p.m.
Teatro Civico Astra -- Schio (Vicenza)
Astra Theater of Schio
May 4, 9 p.m., Via Maraschin 19, Schio. The Raskornika Orchestra in Balcanikaos with Andrea Kaemmerle. Tickets vary from €25 (first row seats) to €15 (balcony).
For information: info@teatrocivicoschio.it, Tel: 0445-52-5577.
International Craft Beer Meeting
May 10-11, 4-11:35 p.m., Bolzano, Castel Mareccio, Via Claudia de Medici 12. The €20 entrance fee includes a beer glass and tokens to taste seven different beers; more tokens available for purchase during your visit. Guided tours and workshops.
Verona Legend Cars
May 11-12, 9-7 p.m., Verona Fiere, Viale del Lavoro. Exhibition of classic cars. Entrance fee: €14 adults; €11 under 17; free for under 12 and disabled persons.
Green Day at Grisignano
May 18, 10:30 a.m. Green Tour of 5 km to perform by bicycle, on foot or on horseback through the ciclovia (cycle path). Departure from Barbano, Via Palladio, to Grisignano di Zocco. Food and beverage booths along the way and refreshment at the arrival point by 1 p.m. Information: www.comune.grisignano.vi.it .
TUSCANY
Mercatino di Pasqua
Easter Market - Livorno
Through April 20, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Piazza Cavour, Livorno. Easter market with craft activities for children. Entrance free.
CONCERTS IN PISA
The following concerts are all entrance free:
• April 19, 10 p.m., Sinedades live concert (Brasilian and tropical music), Via G. Rossini 77, Pontedera (Pisa).
• April 27, 9.30 p.m., Pop Legend Band performs the best music compositions from '70's to '90's, at Osteria Alla Bona, Via E. Bosso in Trivelli 38, Coltano (Pisa).
Mostra Dell'Artigianato della Valtiberina
Handcraft Market at Valtiberina
April 21-May 1, 10 a.m. 7 p.m., downtown Anghiari (Arezzo), 44th edition exhibit of special artistic handmade objects displayed through the narrow streets of a suggestive medieval village. Free entrance.
Lo scoppio del carro
Explosion of the Cart
April 21, Easter, 10 a.m., Florence, Piazza del Duomo. Since 1622, Florence has celebrated Easter Sunday with the traditional "Explosion of the Cart" ceremony. A wagon built in 1622 stands three stories high and is pulled through the downtown streets by a pair of oxen decorated in garland. According to local legend, a young Florentine named Pazzino took part in the first Crusade in the Holy Land in 1099. When he returned to Florence, he brought back three flints from the Holy Sepulcher, still preserved in the Church of the Holy Apostles. Nowadays, the ceremony starts around 10 a.m., when a priest rubs Pazzino's three flints together until they spark and light the Easter candle; this, in turn, is used to light some coals which are placed in a container on the cart. During the procession, the cart is accompanied by drummers, flag throwers and figures dressed in historical costumes. Then, around 11 a.m., the archbishop uses the fire to light a dove-shaped rocket (called colombina). This flies down a wire to the outside of the church and collides with the cart in the square, setting off a spectacular fireworks display. Free event. For more information: www.visittuscany.com/en/topevents/scoppio-del-carro-in-florence/ .
Sagra del Cedro e Palio delle Botti
Cedar Festival and Barrel Competition
April 22, Easter Monday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Bibbona (Livorno). Local product and craft exhibit and sale; in the afternoon, Bingo and other traditional games are played in the main square. Live music and sampling of local products and wines; in the afternoon, historical parade and the town's districts compete in the traditional barrel race.
A SIENA I MAESTRI NORDICI
NORDIC PAINTERS IN SIENA
Through May 5, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Santa Maria Della Scala, Siena. Nordic painters masterpieces, such as those of Dürer, Atdorfer and Vredeman de Vries, are exposed for a remarkable approach to Flemish art. Entrance: €9.
PASSAGGI ARTE CONTEMPORANEA -- Pisa
Contemporary Art - Pisa
Through May 9, 6 p.m. Pisa, Via Garofani 14. Photos and sculpture exhibit by Nicoló Cecchella, Darren Harvey-Regan and Marco Maria Zanin. Free entrance.
MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship
May 10-12, Imola (Bologna)
The Motul FIM Superbike World Championship, the highest championship reserved for motorcycles derived from the series, makes a new stage in Imola May 10-12 as the 5th round of the season. Ticket cost varies from €40 to €100. Information: www.worldsbk.com.
CAR RACE WEEKEND
Peroni Race Weekend
May 24-26, Imola (Bologna)
The Peroni Race Weekend is one of the classic four-wheeled events of Imola Autodrome. The flagship of this first date is the Italian Tourism Cup. Throughout the weekend, there are three days of racing that includes Clio Cup Italy, Clio Cup France, Lotus Cup Italy, Seven Race Series, Italian Auto Historical Championship, and Alfa Revival Cup.
Saturday and Sunday free access to Paddock and Tribuna A (Central). Information: www.gruppoperonirace.it.
ART EXHIBIT -- PISA
Through May 26, 9:30 a.m.-7.30 p.m., Arsenali Repubblicani (Republican Arsenals) of Pisa, video art show that runs from Fiamming art to the magic atmospheres of Bosch, Brueghel and Arcimbold. Fifty-four projectors lead visitors to a parallel world for a full immersion experience with masterpieces which are, in most cases, not available to the public. Ticket: €13.
Mostra Personale su Kiki Smith - Firenze
Kiki Smith's Personal Exhibition - Florence
Through June 2, 8:15 a.m.-6:50 p.m., Pitti Palace, Florence. A personal exhibition entitled "What I Saw on the Road" by Kiki Smith, a contemporary artist whose works are displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York. Ticket: €16. Closed Mondays.
Tuscany Markets
Certaldo (Florence): April 21, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Piazza Boccaccio and Via Cavour
Lucca: April 20-21, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Piazza Antelminelli, Piazza S. Giovanni, Piazza San Giusto, Via San Giovanni, Corte Bertolini (about 230 vendors)
Marina di Grosseto (Grosseto): April 20-21, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Via XXIV Maggio and Via Cadorna
Siena: April 21, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., in Piazza del Mercato
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