BOLOGNA INSIDE Second Edition - IWF Bologna

OPEN AIR EVENTS
SPRING-SUMMER-FALL
In May each year, the Catholic month of the Madonna (Virgin Mary), a painting of a black
Madonna is brought down from the Basilica di San Luca to the cathedral of San Pietro on
Via dell’Independenza. After a week of visits from the faithful, the Madonna is carried
back up to her home. This tradition traces back several centuries when the Madonna was
brought down in an attempt to end the plague. Although no miracles occured during her
initial three-day sojourn in the city, it started to pour rain during her return and the
plague disappeared. Nowadays, it almost always rains during the return procession.
In the summer, nightlife moves all’aperto (in the open). Since 2005, the city, together
with the university, has sponsored Bè - Bologna Estate (Bologna Summer) a vast program
of arts and entertainment events that runs June-September. Open-air film festivals (see
this chapter under ‘Cinema’) are held in the city’s piazze and courtyards. For more
information visit the city’s website: www.comune.bologna.it/cultura. If you are up for a
short drive into the country, you’ll find good, inexpensive food and local entertainment
at the Feste dell’Unità and sagre (food festivals) organized throughout the province from
spring through fall. See Chapter 9: Provincia for more information.
WINTER
While the largest Christmas markets are in Trentino, Bologna has its very own along
Strada Maggiore under Santa Maria dei Servi and on Via Altabella. Items for sale include
presepi (nativity scenes) and traditional holiday sweets such as torrone. The season is
characterized by the smell of roasted castagne (chestnuts), in Bologna also known by a
less delicate term, i marroni.
On Capodanno (New Year’s Eve), Bologna casts off the passing year by burning in effigy a
large wooden man known as il vecchione (old man). This huge bonfire lights up Piazza
Maggiore and is quite a spectacle. Better to leave kids home as the party can get rowdy.
In February, Carnevale (Carnival) is celebrated in the city and throughout the province.
The most spectacular costumes are to be seen in Venice, but closer to home, you can go
to Cento, just over the border of the Province of Ferrara. For more information see:
www.carnivalecento.com.
As they say, the grass is always greener...
I’m a New Yorker and when I’m in Bologna,
I always seem to have the itch to be in NYC.
Call it that “New York state of mind.” It’s
funny, though, I’m starting to realize that
Bologna has its own state of mind. About two
weeks into my stay in New York I have a
sudden craving to return to BO for a stroll
through the piazzola. I want to have coffee
with friends at Sala Borsa and I wonder if
the trees and flowers are in bloom in
Giardini Margherita. I miss Friday night
aperitivo, tagliatelle al ragù, ice-cold
prosecco and riding my bike through the
piazza.
Nina Vellucci
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