MUSIC & ART AMONG TRULLI AND OLIVE GROVES
With the slogan “Puglia a Way of Life” Italy's latest most desirable tourist destination has launched a new promotional campaign aimed at attracting culture-seeking foreign visitors. At the moment, the south-east part of the Italian boot is mainly known for its whitewashed little towns with unique “trulli” houses and olive groves and is enjoying a boom in farmhouse and village holidays.
The region however, is now promoting other attractions, such as its formidable art and cultural heritage. The recent G7 meeting at the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia (Brindisi) provided the inspiration for the ambitious exhibition in the nearby historic Norman Castle of Mesagne: “G7: Seven Centuries of Italian Art” featuring a selection of iconic paintings by the great masters of various epochs. The exhibition will run until the end of the year.
Another major event is the annual Festival of the Valle d'Istria at Martina Franca, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The oldest opera festival in southern Italy, it offers a prestigious programme, including Bellini;s “Norma”,“Aladino e la Lampada” (Aladdin and the Lamp) by contemporary composer Nina Rota and the rarely performed Handel's “Ariodante” with a concert of Beethoven's 9th Symphony at the Ducal Palace.
An attractive addition to the Festival with the evocative name of “Il Canto degli Ulivi” (The Song of the Olives) features a series of summer concerts at various characteristic rural venues.
Info: Tel: +39/080.4805100 www.festivaldellvalleditria.it
Tel: Castello di Mesagne +39.0831.732285
