Festivals in Umbria (2010)
Discovering Umbria
Umbria has everything – and a lot more: the curtain never falls on the art, culture and entertainment that the region has to offer and nearly every day, there are events and appointments that are not to be missed.
These are great events that are famous the world over, starting with Umbria Jazz in its three versions: the winter edition in Orvieto, the Easter edition in Terni dedicated to gospel and soul music, and the summer classic in Perugia, held in July, which hosts the top stars of the current music scene.
Theatre and music are intense activities here: each city has its own theatre season, whereas the productions staged by the Teatro Stabile dell’Umbria have won fame and success everywhere. Concerts are non-stop and special mention goes to the Teatro Lirico Sperimentale in Spoleto, which stages operas and offers important showcase opportunities for new talents.
Last but not least are the historic and folklore commemorations: each city has its own and the most famous are the Quintana in Foligno, the Gaite in Bevagna, the Palio dei Terzieri in Città della Pieve and the Balestra in Gubbio
JUNE 3-13 2010
GIOSTRA DELLA QUINTANA (Foligno)
This festival dates back to an age-old horseback competition that was held in the 17th century. Its objective was to define the knight’s order of priority in his loyalty to his prince or lady. The modern version began immediately after World War II. Ten knights one for each of the city quarters of Foligno challenge each other in an attempt to center a set of smaller and smaller rings on a lance. Before the games take place, a procession in historic costumes winds its way through the streets of the city.
(see www.quintana.it)
JULY 9-18 2010
UMBRIA JAZZ
This was first held in 1973 and today, it has become the top European jazz festival. All of the greatest contemporary jazz musicians have played at Umbria Jazz. The festival lasts for ten days and is held almost entirely in Perugia’s historic district in ancient palaces, squares and parks. Thousand of young people and jazz fans throng to Perugia from all over Europe and the United States.
(see www.umbriajazz.com)
AUGUST 1 – 16 2010
FESTIVAL DI CORCIANO
Founded in 1965 as a figurative art exhibit for Umbrian artist, it currently offers not only painting and sculptural exhibits, but also includes plays, concerts, historical events and art conferences. Recently, an international competition has also been founded for composers of original band music.
OCTOBER 15-24 2010
EUROCHOCOLATE
The event, dedicated to the food of the gods, transforms the city of Perugia into an animated patisserie each year. Amateur and semi-professional courses, exhibits and other events are held at the Gourmand Theater, the International Chocolate Gallery and Piazza del Bacio. This is a unique and varied festival that also involves the outlying areas and stars the most important sweets industries in Italy and abroad. Each year is celebrated with events worthy of the Guinness record as far as chocolate is concerned: the enormous blocks of sculpted chocolate in the city center, the reconstruction of the Berlin Wall with semisweet chocolate bricks, the cake and the maxi-sized chocolate bar the biggest in the world!
(see www.eurochocolate.com)
