For the first week of August, the vacation month par excellence in Italy, we’ve selected a variety of outdoor events for you to enjoy the summer to the fullest. We go to Lucca for the extraordinary outdoor paper art exhibition, to Pisa to get lost in a maize maze, down south to the province of Grosseto for opera and a medieval street festival and last but not least we toast Tuscany’s excellent wines with stars in our glasses.
Events in Tuscany August 1 to August 7, 2016
Cartasia – International Paper Festival | July 31 to September 9 – Lucca
When: July 31 to September 9
Where: Lucca
Entrance: indoor exhibitions: 10€ full price, 8€ reduced price. Outdoor exhibition: free
Website
Where else than in Lucca, that has one of the largest paper production centers in Europe, host an event that promotes paper art. During Cartasia the streets and squares of Lucca will provide the backdrop for the biennial exhibition and competition in which monumental paper sculptures are displayed outdoors. The massive installations on display in the city center come to life: works have their own space that the observer sees, hears and crosses.
This year’s theme for the international competition featuring the projects by artists from all over the world is “Boundaries and Prospects”. An expert jury will select the winner.
In addition to the outdoor exhibition, you can visit art and design exhibitions in historic buildings; participate in creative workshops and events, enjoy food tastings, games, and performances.
Program
July 31 – 5:00 pm – Palazzo Ducale | Opening Indoor exhibition (openings hours: every day from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm)
August 6 – 6:00 pm | Opening Outdoor exhibition
August 13 – 6:00 pm – Ex Cavallerizza | Opening Design exhibition (openings hours: every day from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm)
August 27 – 6:00 pm – Piazza S. Martino | Paper Airplanes championship
August 27 – 7:00 pm – Palazzo Ducale and Ex Cavallerizza | Notte Biana (all night opening)
Maize Maze | until October – Parco di San Rossore (Pisa)
When: Until harvest time in October
Where: Parco di San Rossore in the Province of Pisa
Entrance: 6€ adults, 4€ children, 16€ family ticket
Pisa’s Natural Park San Rossore is a beautiful wild area that stretches out to the coastline and the Ligurian Sea. This summer the Park offers a unique opportunity to get lost (and found again) as it has transformed one of its corn fields in a giant maze.
The corn fields in the area produce food for native cattle breeds such as the Maremmana, Chianina, and Mucco Pisano. But until the October harvest, this one special cornfield becomes a place where families and people of all ages can have fun in a completely sustainable way.
The maze of San Rossore is among the first in Italy and the first that is entirely organic. It stretches out over an area of 10 hectares and has 2.6 kilometers of trails.
The maize maze is open every afternoon (except Monday) from 6 pm until 9 pm. For more information, see Facebook page Labirinto di mais, call 050-530101 or email visitesr@tin.it.
Lyrica in Piazza | August 3, 4, 5 – Massa Marittima
When: August 3, 4, 5
Where: Piazza Garibaldi, Massa Marittima (Province of Grosseto)
Entrance: Tickets range between 10€ – 50€
The summer festival Lyrica in Piazza of Massa Marittima offers a unique blend of classical music with one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. The medieval towers of Piazza Garibaldi form the backdrop for three opera performances of world class.
Program
Wednesday, August 3 – 9.15 pm | IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA by Gioacchino Rossini
Thursday, August 4 – 9.15 pm | MADAMA BUTTERFLY by Giacomo Puccini
Friday, August 5 – 9.15 pm | L’ELISIR D’AMORE by Gaetano Donizetti
Tickets can be purchased various shops, see the complete list here http://www.boxofficetoscana.it/punti-vendita or with credit card payment or bank transfer by phone at number 055-210804.
For more information call 331-1325621 of email lirica@comune.massamarittima.gr.it
Medieval Festival | August 5, 6, 7 – Roccatederighi
When: August 5, 6, 7
Where: Roccatederighi – Municipality of Roccastrada (Province of Grosseto)
Entrance: Free
The charming village Roccatederighi is catapulted back in time during this festival, with people dressed in historical clothing, ladies and knight strolling the streets, peasants and beggars on the squares and artisans showing their ancient arts. In the evening the streets are lit with torches, and the village is enlivened by jesters and storytellers, magicians and witches and all sorts of acrobats.
The market stalls offer all kinds of merchandise, and the eateries serve dishes cooked according to old recipes of the area, with excellent local products, all of course accompanied by fine wine.
But beware: here the Euro has no value, you can only use the Rocchigiani florins that will be exchanged for your coin when you enter the village.
Program
Friday, August 5 – 6 pm | Opening of the Festival.
Saturday, August 6 – 5 pm | Armed battle and falcon show – Church of San Martino.
Sunday, August 7 – 5 pm | Historical re-enactment “The hard life in the castle”.
Sunday, August 7 – 11.30 pm | Grand Finale.
For more information, see Facebook page Medioevo Nel Borgo or call 0564-567244
Calici di Stelle | August 6 – August 14 – Tuscany
When: August 6 – August 14
Where: Various locations in Tuscany
Calici di Stelle (Chalices of Stars) is a week-long celebration of the Italian wine. Wineries all over the country open their wine cellars for special events and tastings. The wine festival coincides with the celebration of the night of San Lorenzo on August 10th when the night sky will be filled with shooting stars.
Organized by the Movimento Turismo del Vino Toscana, the event features winery visits, guided tours, wine tastings, sunset dinners, musical entertainment, and stargazing.
New this year is the Streetfood theme. Designated wineries will team up with Streetfood producers from across Italy, who serve local specialties such as Sicilian arancini, fried dishes from Le Marche and lampredotto and porchetta from Tuscany.
From the land of Brunello, through the Chianti, Val d’Orcia, down to the Maremma and up along the Tuscan coastline, the events are many.
Participating wineries are:
Arezzo: Camperichi
Florence: Agricola Tamburini, Camposilio – Il Fossato, Le Filigare, Podere dell’Uliveto, Tenuta Poggio Casciano, Tenuta Bacco a Petroio.
Grosseto: Fattoria La Maliosa, Poggio al Tufo, Tenuta L’Impostino.
Pisa: Cosimo Maria Masini, Usiglian del Vescovo, Tenuta di Montalto.
Pistoia: Az. Agricola Marini Giuseppe
Siena: Az. Agricola Canneto, Castellare di Castellina, Col di Lamo, Enoteca Emporio Mediterraneo, Fattoria dei Barbi, Fattoria del Colle, Rocca delle Macie, Salcheto, Tenuta La Braccesca.
Visit MTVtoscana.com for the complete program of all events.
