Something to dream about, as we wait for the opportunity to travel again. I have taken the information relevant to just one beautiful little town Brisighella in Emilia Romagna, to highlight just how many events , sacra’s, Festivals in Italy, take place across the year. And this is replicated in hundreds of villages around the region, and all across Italy. I hope this will give you an indication of just how many “events” happen in these villages and the surrounding hills. I selected the information below when we started researching our latest Italian food and wine tour, The Emilia Romagna Collection as Brisighella is one of the beautiful villages we visit.
Brisighella is an ancient medieval spa town in the Lamone Valley, between Ravenna & Florence, rich in architectural beauty, history and traditions. In autumn there are a series of events linked to the local gastronomic offering in particular the superior meats of the “mora romagnola” breed of pigs and mutton. They also produce truffles, “volpina” pears, and “moretto” artichokes, and of course you have to have a festival , a sagra, to celebrate each of these delicacies.
2020 – A YEAR OF EVENTS
This information has been reproduced from the Brisighella tourism organisation website as listed here.
www.brisighella.org
FEBRUARY – MARCH
From 27th February to 3rd March – “LOM A MERZ” – The lights of March
It is customary at this time in Romagna to gather in the farmyards, to sing and dance around bonfires, the so-called “Lòm a Mêrz“ or the lights of March. The perfect opportunity to eat, drink and of course have fun.
Friday 10th April – “VIA CRUCIS VIVENTE” – Re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross
As is customary every Good Friday Zattaglia delights us with a re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross. This procession has now become more suggestive thanks to re-enactments that represent the Passion of Christ.
Monday 13th april and Sunday 19th april – “SAGRA DEI SALUMI STAGIONATI E DEL TARTUFO MARZOLINO” – The fair of cured meats and of the “Marzolino” March truffle
On Easter Monday, stalls offering typical products, food stands and entertainment under the Ancient Via degli Asini will be promoting the curing and the processing of cured meats that are produced and processed by the famous “norcini” pork butchers of Brisighella, and who represent one of the oldest values of our food tradition.
Saturday 24th april and Sunday 25th april – “SAGRA DELLA SPOJA LORDA” who represent one of the oldest values of our table tradition.
From 4th April to the beginning of June – “ Non solo Pane…ma anche Olio e Vino””
Wednesday 25th April – “Festa della liberazione” – Liberation Day
MAY
Thursday 1st May 2020 – “Passeggiata dei Tre Colli e Sagra del Carciofo Moretto –
The Three Hills Walk
This is a non-competitive event organised by the “G.Borsi” ANSPI parish club. there are tastings, stalls, food stands and music for a taste of the splendid flavours of spring in the Hills of Brisighella.
Sunday 3rd and 10th May 2020 – “Sagra del Carciofo Moretto” The Moretto Artichoke Festival
This festival hails the “moretto” artichoke, a rustic variety of the traditional artichoke;
From 8th to 11th May 2020 – “Sagra del Cinghiale di Zattaglia” Wild Boar Festival
A menu for connoisseurs surrounded by the breath-taking countryside of the Gypsum Vein Park of Romagna, at the Wild Boar Festival of Zattaglia, which will be again lighting up the hills of Faenza between Brisighella and Casola Valsenio with music, fun and excellent wild boar dishes of the local tradition.
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May 2020 – “Festa dei Cammini di Romagna”
Saturday 23rd May 2020– “100 km del Passatore” The Passatore 100km foot race
The 47th edition of this ultramarathon foot race, which, held yearly, departs from Florence and arrives in Faenza, passing through Brisighella.
The Marzeno valley also offers scenery and characteristic features of naturalistic and historic worth. Come and enjoy this day in the locations known as the Spungone of Pietramora right up to the San Giorgio Tower in Ceparano.
From 30rd May to 2nd June – ” Feste Medioevali 2020 ” in the Fortress and Historic Centre to Brisighella
JUNE
The 1st and the 2nd June 2020 – Rivivi il Medioevo alla Rocca di Brisighella- Back to the Middle Ages in Brisighella’s Castle and historic centre
Brisighella’s Castle comes to life. A long weekend on a trip back to our territory’s mediaeval past, with historic re-enactments and shows all in the suggestive setting of the Manfredi Castle of Brisighella.
Friday 5st – 12th- 19th -26th June 2020– “Recondite Armonie – Musica in Grotta” – Hidden Harmonies – Music in the Caves
Four classical music concerts on the four Fridays of June in the suggestive surroundings of the Marana Cave, a truly unusual setting where the audience will be embraced by a refined blend of music and nature.
Saturday 27th June 2020 – “Brisighella Romantica, un borgo a lume di candela” – Romantic Brisighella, a candlelit village
This is the 10th edition of the White Night dedicated to lovers in one of the most beautiful villages of Italy, where visitors can stroll along the streets of this mediaeval village in a seductive atmosphere lit up by thousands of candles, amidst aperitifs, bars, concerts, living portraits and tastings.
JULY
Every Friday from 10th July to 14th August 2020 – “Brisighella… i Venerdì Sogno d’Estate” Brisighella…..Friday summer nights dream
In the spectacular natural backdrop of the Mediaeval village, a range of shows will come to life every Friday from 1st July to 12th August. Visitors will be drawn into a dreamlike dimension: at the open-air Theatre a series of the best Italian performances aimed at the younger audiences and their families, then the Movies in the Piazza Carducci square will be screening the very best Italian “Amarcord” classics, an arts-antiques and “brocantage” market will be set up along the streets and in the squares.
Every Wednesday from 8th July to 12th August 2020 – “Brisighella, La Magia del Borgo: Chitarra e altro…” The magic of the village: Guitar music and more
Refined classical music concerts, which every Wednesday will see Brisighella welcoming great contemporary master guitarists, pianists, violinists as well as antique instrument players.
Saturday 25th July 2020 – “Brisighella Vintage”
“Brisighella Vintage” means a glamorous evening where “vintage” is not nostalgia for the past but a modern way of life, a fun way to mix and match styles and fashions. The entire historic centre will come alive with open-air dinners and tastings, vintage market stalls and music that will bring back the 70’s atmosphere is a truly fun way.
Saturday and Sunday 11th and 12th and 18th and 19th July 2020 – “A tutta festa” Let’s Party in Fognano
Every year Brisighella’s lively hamlet of Fognano holds its now traditional village fair “A tutta festa” or Let’s Party in Fognano. The venue is the Parish Club and there are covered food stands and the volunteer cooks take advantage of the fully equipped kitchen to make traditional Romagnolo dishes to enjoy in the scenic setting of the green and majestic green hills of the Lamone valley.
From 15th to 18th July 2020– “Birravezzanen – festa della Birra” Beer Festival
Flowing beer from Baviera, Romagnolo and German food, dancing on the tables to live rock music. The longing to party and the great organisation has turned Birravezzanen into a festival that has become better and more and more fun!
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26st July 2020 – Saturday 1st August and Sunday 2nd August 2020 – “Sagra della Collina e del Cinghiale” Wild Boar Festival of the Hills
This is the first of two weekends to enjoy in the Tuscan-Romagnolo green hills, tasting the specialities of the woods and take advantage of the rich variety of live performances. The Wild Boar Festivals of the Hills has been held since 1988 in San Martino in Gattara and is the perfect opportunity to flee from the heat of the cities and the traffic of the Riviera.
AUGUST
Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August 2020 – “Sagra della Collina e del Cinghiale” Wild Boar Festival of the Hills
Saturday 8th August 2020– “Calici sotto i 3 Colli: le stelle nel Borgo” Wine Glasses under the 3 hills:
The village will be turned into an open-air wine cellar where the best wineries of the hills of Brisighella offer their excellent local wines during the magical shooting star nights of Saint Laurence
Saturday 15th August 2020 – “Concerto di Ferragosto de La Magia del Borgo” The Ferragosto Concert by the Magic of the Village
A classical music concert to be held at S.Maria Assunta in Tiberiaco Pieve Church, which is perched on the highest peak of the “Vena del Gesso Romagnola” Gypsum Outcrop , on top of Monte Mauroin the hamlet of Zattaglia.
SEPTEMBER
From 5th to 13th September 2020 – “22^ mostra fotografica sociale a concorso” 22nd Amateur Photographers’ Show and Competition
Saturday 7th September 2019 – “Trofeo del Monticino: la Corsa dei carioli di Brisighella in notturna” The Monticino Trophy: Brisighella’s Wheelbarrow Race by night
The hairpin bends of the road known as the “Monticino” in Brisighella will be the highlight of the wheelbarrow race. The recently founded Gruppo Romagnolo Carioli – Wheelbarrow Group of Romagna, is organising the regional championship, and Brisighella will be the venue of the only “by night” race.
Saturday 12th September – ” Trofeo Bandini” 2020 dedicated to Formula Uno –
Sunday 13th September 2020 – “Antica Sagra del Monticino” Ancient Monticino Fair
OCTOBER
The Sundays 4th, 11th and 18st October 2020 – “46^ sagra della polenta” Polenta Festival
Polenta is a very simple but tasty dish “and every year San Cassiano dedicates a festival to this cornmeal mush that is prepared and offered in many different creative ways. Local cuisine, folklore, arts and traditions are celebrated during the first three Sundays of October in the river Lamone Valley.
Sunday 18th October 2020 – “Sagra della Porchetta di Mora Romagnola e Fiera delle Biodiversità” Festival of Romagnola Mora Pork and the Biodiversity Fair
In the setting of Brisighella’s Ugonia Park, “Mora Romagnola” top quality local tasty pork plays the leading role.
Sunday 25th October 2020 – “Sagra dell’agnellone e del castrato ” Grown lamb and mutton festival
From 18st October to 29th November 2020 – “Concorso mostra di ricamo d’autunno” Autumn Embroidery Show
NOVEMBER
The four Sundays of November 2020 – 4 sagre x 3 colli – 4 festivals x 3 hills
Each and every Sunday in November sees the medieval village of Brisighella hosting the most delicious events of Autumn. Every Sunday features a speciality from the kaleidoscope market of typical products this territory has to offer; the first is dedicated to tasty pork, the second to the re-discovered flavours of forgotten fruits and of matured cheese, the third features the prestigious white and black truffles and finally the last hails the unique taste of new olive oil:
• Sunday 8th November 2020 – “Sagra del Porcello” Pork Festival
• Sunday 15st November 2020 – “Sagra della Pera Volpina e del Formaggio Stagionato” Volpina Pear and Matured Cheese Festival
• Sunday 22nd November 2020 – “Sagra del Tartufo” Truffle Festival
• Sunday 29th November 2020 – “Sagra dell’ulivo e dell’olio” Olive and Olive Oil Festival
Sunday 8th November 2020– “Sagra delle Delizie del Porcello” Pork Festival
Sunday 15st November 2020– “Sagra della Pera Volpina e del Formaggio Stagionato” Volpina Pear and Matured Cheese Festival
Sunday 22nd November 2020 – “Sagra del Tartufo” Truffle Festival
“Tartufo”, or the truffle, is an exquisite type of tuberous vegetable, greatly sought-after on the hills around Faenza. During this festival the best chefs of the area pair it with local traditional ingredients that enhance its typical flavour.
Sunday 29th November 2020 – “Sagra dell’ulivo e dell’olio” Olive and Olive Oil Fair
This festival celebrates and promotes the prestigious oil produced from them: “Brisighello”, a top rated extra virgin olive oil, D.O.P. awarded (Protected Designation of Origin), and the refined “Nobil Drupa”.
DECEMBER
Sunday 13rd December 2020 – “Luce di Natale e Fiaccolata dei Babbi Natale”
Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th December 2020 – “Natale Insieme a Marzeno”
Monday 26th December 2020 – “Presepe Vivente” The Living Nativity
(Brisighella’s Historic Centre – Info:+ 39 546 81166 – iat.brisighella@racine.ra.it)