ItalyUpdate

MILAN MUSEUM FOR HISTORIC PUPPETS

Plans are underway to create a museum in Milan dedicated to the two hundred-year- old Carlo Colla & Figli Company that has entertained generations of fans with its puppet shows.

The Colla puppets (based in Milan) were one of the highlight of this year's Spoleto arts Festival with their new production of “Il Ritorno di Ulisse in Patria” (“Return of Ulysses to His Homeland”) with the orchestral accompaniment of Monteverdi's work of the same name.

Differing from the Sicilian “Pupi” (puppets) performances which generally centre on themes taken from Ariosto's classic poem “Orlando Furioso”, inspired by the adventures of medieval Christian knights versus Saracen warriors. the Carlo Colla & Sons repertoire covers a wide range of over 150 works, including fairy tales, Shakespearean dramas, ballet, operas and classic theatrical pieces.

Apart from the subject matter, the Milan marionettes differ from their Sicilian Pupi cousins by the way they are manoeuvred - at the end of 3 metre- long cords attached to a crossbar of wood. The Pupi instead are attached by their heads to a rigid metal bar with less flexibility, but which allows them the traditional clashing movement of their legs, suitable for the battle scenes.

The Colla company keep a stock of over 4000 puppets, all hand crafted in every detail, with sumptuous brocade gowns for the princesses and real metal armour for the knights. The company has a history of performances dating back some two centuries and it can boast a repertoire of over 150 productions.

The museum in preparation will be situated inside the ex-Ansaldo engineering works, one of Milan's most famous industrial conversion spaces. Meanwhile it is possible to visit the Colla Laboratory in the Ansaldo complex.

Info: Tel. +39.0289531301/02.21119151 info@marionettecolla.org

ON TOUR HELP FOR DEPRESSED TEENAGERS

In order to address currently increasing problems among Italian teenagers, the national campaign SO.STARLI ACCANTO, organized by MOIGE - the ITALIAN PARENTS' MOVEMENT (MOVIMENTO ITALIANO GENITORI) was launched on the 25^th September 2026 at the town of Assago (near MILAN) as part of a national campaign to take counselling and support to schools and parental groups all over Italy.

The initiative aims to address an alarming increase in teenage violence and social distress, that began with the confinement imposed by the COVID epidemic and have continued to increase with the dependence on communications through social media.

So.Starli Accanto (translates as: Staying Close to Them) aims at addressing the problem of increasing symptoms of depression reported among young people. It is estimated that some 40% of teenagers between 15 and 19 suffer from problems of anxiety and feelings of estrangement from society, while recent research (Censis – Italian Institute of social and economic research) has revealed that almost 50% of young people between 18 and 25 suffer from some degree of depression and anxiety. Most of these youngsters do not ask for help and their condition goes ignored

The SO.STARLI ACCANTO organization aims to tackle the problem, through a Mobile Consultancy Centre which will visit 40 Italian towns and cities offering psychological help, as well as an online specialist support service for those who cannot or do not wish to come in person, preferring an online contact, rather than speaking directly to an adult.

The project is backed financially by the Italian Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, with the support of the Charitable Trust of the historic bank Intesa Sanpaolo.

Info: Tel. +39.06.3236943 www.moige.it

ST. FRANCIS EIGHT HUNDRED YEARS

The spotlight shines on Assisi (Umbria) on the 3^{rd -} 4^th October 2026, which will be the fulcrum of celebrations commemorating the 800^th Anniversary of the death of St. Francis, known as “Il Poverello” (“Little Poor Man”).

This important anniversary of St. Francis (Italy's patron saint and founder of the Franciscan Order) will be marked by a programme of religious and spiritual events, centred mainly in the Basilica of San Francesco in the town of Assisi, where Italy's President, Sergio Mattarelli, is expected to attend the special commemorative mass.

Other events include an evening pilgrimage, touching the town's most celebrated monuments connected with Francis' life and work, such as the Sanctuary of St. Damiano, the Basilica of St. Clare (who founded the sister order of Poor Clares together with Francis) and the Basilica of St. Francis itself. Most events and religious ceremonies are free but require prior booking.

Today, Francis is universally renowned as the saint of concord and brotherhood, as well as for his love of all forms of Nature. Lesser known is his diplomatic role, such as his courageous peace mission to Egypt in 1219 during the Fifth Crusade, when he crossed the battle line to meet the Sultan Malik al-Kamid - as documented by 13^th century chronicler Thomas of Celano and other contemporary historians. He was treated with respect by al-Kamid, who recognized him as a holy man and retained him at court for several days of discussion.

1000. STENHOUSE

1001. For all information consult the official website: www.sanfrancescovive.org

POMPEII CELEBRATES WINE HARVEST

The vineyards replanted inside the ruins of Pompeii launched this year's harvest with a special open day on the 15^th September 2026 where visitors could sample the products of the 14 vineyards planted inside the historic site.

The re-creation of Pompeii's vine cultivation in the original gardens of the Villa of the Mysteries, an ancient Roman domus, has been a joint private and public initiative, with the collaboration of the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage. Initiated on an experimental basis in 1999 and based on the analysis of vine roots found in situ as well as the identification of vine varieties depicted in Pompeii frescoes, the vineyards are a modern reproduction of the original plantations, growing where they originally flourished before the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius 2,000 years ago.

The wines of Pompeii are red, due to the hot climate of the area which does not suit white grape varieties. They are, however, rather different from the stuff imbibed by the Ancient Romans, which was mixed with honey and spices to make it drinkably. The ancient Roman wines went off very quickly, turning into vinegar.

Info: Tel. +39.081.8575327 www.pompeiisites.otg

ITALY COMMEMORATES FAMOUS HORSE

Work is shortly to start on the creation of a mausoleum for Italy's most famous horse – the trotting champion Varenne. The memorial will be open to the public and will document Varenne's long racing history, during which he won 62 international championships out of the 73 in which he competed.

A hard life of top level competitions did not seem to have had any negative effects on his health. Varenne lived to the exceptional age of 31 years before he succumbed to a heart attack on the 18^th August 2026 in his stable at his retirement home in the LJ stud farm at Eboli (Salerno, Campania) belonging to his lifetime owner, Enzo Giordano.

After his retirement from competitive racing in 2002, Varenne kept busy, donating his unique and special genes to sire almost 3,000 sons and daughters worldwide, many of which have become champions in turn though non of them have reached their Dad's status.

Info: Tel. +39.345.2939572 info@varenne-official.com

MURANO GLASS RENEWS AND DAZZLES

This year's edition of the Venice Glass Week (12^th - 20^th September) is a unique occasion to admire the latest creations of the highly skilled glass artists of Murano island in Venice.

Murano Glass creations, which range from chandeliers and unique glass sculptures to the coloured beads and tiny animals we are all familiar with, is making a big comeback after a long period of stagnation due to the Covid epidemic, cheap global imitations and changed market circumstances.

The Murano Glass Week, launched ten years ago, has re-focussed interest in this ancient craft, which has been cultivated on the little island of Murano in the Venetian lagoon for over seven centuries. The event, which has its main showcase in Palazzo Morosini near St. Mark's Square in Venice, offers a dazzling display of innovation and creations by the leading glass artists, is enhanced by the special exhibition “Murano Illuminates the World” (running till the 1^st November under the arches of the Procurarie Vecchie ) that features twelve chandeliers specially designed by leading international artists and architects such as Norman Foster, Bethan Laura Wood, Pierre Charpin and Amanda Levete and created by some of the leading Murano glass blowing ateliers.

M. STENHOUSE

Info: Tel. +39.041.2407711 info@theveniceglassweek.com

UNDER THE LIGHTHOUSE IN NAPLES

During the weekend between the 28^th July - 2^nd August, the long neglected Lighthouse on the San Vincenzo Wharf at Naples will be the focus of a packed festival of music, recitals, dance and other forms of the performing arts.

The lighthouse is a 24m-high cylindrical tower, faced externally with deep red maiolica tiles, dating back to 1487. It is a distinctive landmark in Naples harbour. with a lantern beam extending over 47 kms and is operated by the Italian Navy.

Normally, the St. Vincent wharf is not open to the public, but the Naples city council is keen to promote it as part of their policy to revive many symbolic parts of the city in view of the Napoli 100 celebrations and the projected Americas Cup in Naples in 2027.

Info: comune.napoli.it/molosanvincenzo.it

With this last “news” we close for the summer break.

All Best Wishes for a peaceful and relaxing summer to all our readers

www.Italyupdate.it

THE CROSSBOW THAT WENT INTO SPACE

Sansepolcro, a small medieval town near Arezzo (Tuscany) has announced that its annual crossbow contest will he held this year between the 1^st and 13^th September 2026. One of Italy's most spectacular historic revocation events, the tournament between skilled marksmen handling the deadliest weapons prior to the advent of firearms is accompanied by grand pageantry, costumed processions, a recreated renaissance market, and demonstrations by the local flag-throwing group who claim to base their movements on the geometrical figures used by the town's most famous son – the great rennaissance artist Piero della Francesca.

The Crossbow contest between Sansepolcro and nearby Gubbio is documented from 1594 and is probably much older. Sansepolcro's Crossbow Society is very active and has its headquarters and museum inside a medieval house believed to have belonged to Piero della Francesca. The small, narrow rooms of the Museum display costumes, flags (including a silk banner dating from 1700), as well as crossbows ranging from the soldier's small portable weapons to gigantic models for long distance shots from battlements.

One very special exhibit is the “Petra de Burgo”, a crossbow which was carried on board the Shuttle Mission “Endeavour” in May 2011 by the astronaut Roberto Vittori, of the European Space Agency (ESA), who had family connections with the area.

Info: info@balestrierisansepolcro.it

MILAN'S POST ADOPTS CARGOBIKES

A newcomer to the Milanese scene, the bright yellow cargo e-bikes recently brought into service by the Italian postal service in Milan's cramped canal district known as La Naviglia are making their mark.

Following the example of several other European countries, where the cargo bike in its various versions is regularly used, both by the institutions and the public, the Poste Italiano (Italian Postal Service), after an experimental trial in Apulia, has introduced the electric-powered transporter bikes for delivery services in Italy's foremost business capital, with noticeable benefits for the environment.

The postal cargo e-bike can carry a load of a maximum of 100 kgs and travels at a sedate 25 k/ph.

The project has EU backing and is piloted bythe MOST Centre for Sustainable Mobility, one of Italy's most important research and innovation programmes, involving 25 universities and 24 major companies.

Info: https://www.centronazionalemost.it/eg

GUBBIO: EXPLORING TRACES OF THE JURASSIC ERA

The Geo-Logica event (“The Montains of St. Francis”) on the 18^th-19^th July 2026 in Gubbio (Umbria) concentrates on some of the area's unique geological features, such as the fascinating Gola di Bottaccione (Bottaccione Gorge) that winds round the foot of Mt Ingino, the mountain mentioned by Dante in “Il Paradiso”.

The weekend offers free guided excursions through the ravine by geologists and botanists who can illustrate the rare limestone stratifications dating back to the Jurassic era and demonstrate the rich variety of plant life and flora growing on the cliff sides.

The Gola is also known as the Iridium Gorge due to the deposits of this extremely rare mineral, recognized as the world's most corrosive -resistant material and believed to have been deposited aeons ago by a meteorite that struck the Earth.

In the Middle Ages, the people of Gubbio built a dam and an aqueduct at the head of the gorge to collect the water of the River Camignano, traces of which are still visible today.

M. STENHOUSE

GEO-LOGICA , the Mountains of ST. FRANCIS of ASSISI

Info: www.geo-logica.it info@geo-logica,it