Italian Government Tourist Board - North America

Italy News #20 - June 25, 2007

UMBRIA JAZZ 2007

Perugia, July 6th - 15th, 2007

www.umbriajazz.com

The Umbria Jazz Festival is of the most important music festivals in all of Europe. The first festival took place in 1973, and it not only exhibited some of the greatest jazz musicisans around, but in turn hosted thousands of music devotees from not just all of Italy, but also from all over Europe and abroad as well. For 10 days, the historic city of Perugia comes to life with tons of concerts and events that touch upon the entire musical spectrum. Highlights of the program for 2007 include Keith Jarrett with Gary Peacock & Jack DeJohnette, Brad Mehldau & Pat Metheny, Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman and George Benson & Al Jarreau.

TAORMINA ARTE 2007

Taormina, June 29th - August 22nd, 2007

www.taormina-arte.com

This year, the “Sicilian summer” is dedicated to art and culture, with the usual appointment of the Taormina Arte Festival – that included the celebrated “Taormina Film Fest” (that took place from June 16th – 22nd), and numerous celebrated events in its calendar. It is a season rich with important events ranging from Dance, and Theater, to Music, all exhibiting international artisits of high caliber and fame. The season with offer in the Greek Theatre, the Conference Centre and at the Palazzo dei Duchi di S.Stefano, and all of the events will cater to all types of audiences.

Il Carnevale di Putignano

Putignano, July 13th - 15th, 2007

www.carnevalediputignano.it

The Putignano Carnival is one of the oldest and longest running carnivals in the world. It was made famous by it’s parade of enormous papier-mache floats – which are the principle attraction of this magnificent event. The figure that represents the Carnival is the Farinella. Particularly in the past ten years, the parade’s floats have been carrying social or political messages to lend a more 21^st century feel to the carnival, as opposed to a medieval procession. However the history of the parade is definitely a historic one, as some historians have dated the event back to as early as the late 1300’s. Typically the event takes place on the three preceding Sundays before Shrove Tuesday (usually in February and on the main Carnival day itself), however this Carnival, in July, is its 2^nd summer edition.

"Roma -Pass” also valid for the Sea

Rome - All year round

www.romapass.it

Everything is in track for the summer season. The Roma Pass was launched by the Municipal Authorities of Rome and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, in conjunction with ATAC, and this new plan expects to make it possible to use the Roma-Pass card for means of transportation that lead from the Capital to the Sea and supplementary services at seaside establishments. It has everything, with one coupon valid for 3 days that also includes the possibility to rent bikes at no charge, given that you reserve them in advance.

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