ItalyUpdate

San Daniele prosciutto, one of Italys most famous gastronomic products, celebrates 50 years of attaining DOP (Denomination Origin Protected) status.

The Less than Zero art exhibition, currently running at the Castello Monte Vibiano Vecchio winery in Umbria, features three highly innovative artists who use only renewable or recycled materials.

The 7 th Stradivari Trophy, recently held at Il Torrazzo di Cremona Golf Club, was a highly successful fund-raising event for the Vialli and Mauro Foundation. -

 
A treat awaits garden lovers on the 29 May 2011 when over 50 of the most beautiful private gardens of Florence, Siena, Pisa and Lucca will throw open their gates to the public.

Slow Fish, the Slow Food movements bi-annual appointment with the world of fishermen, the sea and the river, opens at the Genoa Fair on the 27 May 2011.

A colossal statue dedicated to the late Pope John Paul II, erected in front of Romes Termini railway station and unveiled on the 18 May 2011, has attracted a flood of criticism.

Rainbow MagicLand, a brand new theme park at Valmontone, in the vicinity of Rome, is due to open its gates on the 26 May 2011.

Romes prestigious wine bar, the Enoteca Ferrara, has been hosting a special showcase of the top wines produced by the Azienda Marchese Antinori and the Azienda alesco.

After a long and laborious restoration, Agnolo Gaddis  fresco cycleThe Legend of the True Cross is now once more visible in the Cappella Maggiore of the Santa Croce Basilica in Florence.

Romes Zoo, known as the Biopark, is celebrating its hundredth anniversary with a souvenir  photo competition of family snaps and videos taken at the zoo between 1911 and 1989. The entries are to be used to set up a historic exhibition documenting the zoos development and progress.
Prizes include  Reflex and Coolpix Nikon cameras and vouchers for prints.
For information: www.centenario.bioparco.it