CASTELLI DI PACE Festival in Lunigiana 10-11 settembre 2011

This weekend I intend to help out at the festival "Castelli di Pace (Castles of Peace)  organised by a number of small comuni which form a part of a network for sustainability, which Legambiente in the Province of Massa-Carrara began in 2005 in Lunigiana. The festival aims to highlight the interconnections between peace, resources and energy, between globalization and local development, and aims to be the context where local meets global politics, where networks of small municipalities are consolidated on major issues, whereby the use of fair trade and sustainable use of resources are a prerequisite to ensure quality of life, social justice and peace.

The festival is held at the Borgo di Filetto, Villafranca in Lunigiana (MS)

For further info and details of events please visit www.castellidipace.it

www.facebook.com/pages/Castelli-di-Pace-Festival-in-Lunigiana-10-11-settembre-2011/157215327684264?sk=wall

Religious festivals

There are many religious festivals all around Italy infact every village has its "Festa della Madonna or Festa del Santo patrono ",  and are dedicated to the Madonna or Catholic Saint and this tradition is still maintained.

This one that I attended is celebrated on the second Sunday of August in a small village above Pontremoli.
Festivities kick off however on Saturday evening with a mass and a candle lit procession to the village cemetery, Sunday there is a mass in the morning followed by a procession in the afternoon whereby the Madonna of Caravaggio  is carried through the village on to a stone and blessed.

Most of the local population left this village after the war and emigrated to the UK or France or other parts of Italy to find work and the village becomes re-populated in the summer months, however they keep up this tradition with great enthusiasm and care and the day is spent with big family lunches and everyone dressed in their Sunday best.

There are a large variety of these festivals in Italy, and whether it is a large international event or a simple local village tradition dating back for centuries, they offer an interesting insight to the traditions and culture of the country.

End of summer

After a long summer of visits from family and friends, medieval festivals, markets, beaches, rivers, sightseeing, eating and ice-cream its time to settle back to my usual routine and start posting on my blog.
August here is full of medieval festivals held in many of the "borghi" in and around lunigiana, my favourites being Filetto, Ponticello and Pontremoli which are full of flag throwing, jugglers, dances and markets full of artisan craft stalls. Although there are many events held throughout the year August is always buzzing with folklore and traditional events.

Summer now however is drawing to an end and Pontremoli has returned to being very tranquil, and signs of autumn are approaching with flavours of funghi and chestnuts.

Fiume

In the rolling mountains and valleys of Lunigiana, after a good cappuccino, and a fabulous pasta for lunch with fresh Italian tomatoes, on this beautiful summer's day I couldn't resist going to the "fiume" (river) to catch some sun. Its fresh, with crystal clear water and silent with just the sound of flowing water, there is a little lake for river bathing to cool off in the fresh mountain water.
If you go further inland immersed in the rolling hills of Lunigiana you can find some impressive waterfalls and small lakes to swim in.

It's a good walk to my spot and the view of the "centro storico" and the castle is very picturesque and its moments like this that I know why I am here.

Houses in Tuscany and Liguria

 

www.progettiecase.it

If anyone is looking for a house in Italy please look at www.progettiecase.it. I do translation work for them occasionally and they are very good. I have been helping some English people that have had a lot of problems with an agency but this one is very thorough. If anyone needs any information or help just email me.

Bums on the news

Over cappuccino this morning I discussed Italian TV. Now I am not a great fan of Italian TV and very rarely watch it a part from perhaps Rai3, in fact I don't really watch TV in general not here or at home (London) and use my TV to watch films.  However yesterday evening I was zapping away having a nose and came upon the late news on TG4, quite amusing I have to say, a part from the usual stories about the weather, the models and where to party, this time there was "the prova costume" (getting ready for your bikini) directed of course to the ladies, after which they progressed to show a spot on bikinis showing very tanned ladies bums on the beach and the different style costumes always zooming in on the bum.

Now the quality of the news on rete 4 really is a bad joke, and indeed I know it's all to do with permatan B's television (Berlusconi) but it really does amaze me every time I watch the news on either Italia 1 or TG4 .....and Emilio Fede.... no I won't even go there.

No more Leaning Tower of Pisa underpants

Italian cities plan summit to banish trashy souvenirs

Leaning Tower of Pisa underpants the final straw for Tuscan officials long tormented by David statue's member on aprons

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/04/italy-cities-tourism-souvenir-trade