Rossini Opera Festival

Pesaro, the birthplace of Gioachino Rossini, has held a festival in his honour since 1980. It takes over the Adriatic coastal town in various venues for operas and concerts. Because Rossini was so prolific - he wrote 37 operas - the festival has not mounted all his productions yet. There are three being performed this year: Tancredi ,the opera by which Rossini became known outside Italy, and one of four he composed in 1813; Elisabetta, regina d'Inghilterra, which was first seen in Naples two years after Tancredi; and Matilde Di Shabran, Rossini’s comic opera ("opera buffa") of 1825. For more details, visit the festival website at www.rossinioperafestival.it.

Open Air Cinema

This open-air summer cinema festival takes place on Rome’s tiny Tiberina Island, and features a fascinating programme of previews, retrospectives and blockbuster movies. The festival takes place in a magnificent location on the Tevere River. The Ponto Rotto (broken bridge) connects the island to the mainland and is illuminated to transform this magical place into a huge cinema set.
2004 is the tenth edition of this hugely popular cosmopolitan event. Music, dance, fashion shows, multimedia artists, food and wine tastings accompany themed evenings and there are also appearances by stars from the movie world. For further details, please call the festival office (39 06 58 11 060) or email cineland@tin.it.

Donkey Race

If you’re in Rome in August and have a few hours to spare, take the opportunity to catch this unusual traditional donkey race in the small town of Allumiere. Every year the six districts of Allumiere each compete with four donkeys in the central square of the town, on a racetrack specifically made for the occasion. Before the race there is a colourful historical procession, known as the parade of the Sbandieratori.
The tradition stems from the 12th century, when it was instituted by the banker Agostino Chigi. It was abandoned over the years, but resurrected 20 years ago, and has been held regularly ever since. It falls on the third Sunday of August, which is August 22 this year.

Villa Comunale Antique Fair

This huge antique fair is held on the last two weekends of every month in the beautiful Villa Comunale gardens, in the province of Campania, outside of Naples. The fair was first held in 1738 in the Villa Comunale, then called Royal Villa, and was supposed to take place during the summer months. Since then it has grown so much in popularity that it is held throughout the year. It offers everything from antiques, modern furniture, jewels and arts and crafts to collectors’ items and curiosities.

Zeddiani Tomato Fair

Delicious Sardinian tomatoes, cooked according to traditional recipes passed down from generation to generation, are on offer at the annual Tomato Fair in the small town of Zeddiani in Sardinia. The concept is simple: the fair showcases the multiple uses to which the locals put the local tomatoes. Tomato dishes are cooked while recipes and ideas are exchanged and the end result is served up to everyone in a communal meal. No mad folklore, no dances, no costumes, just plain, delicious tomato dishes.
A general mostra-mercato, a gastronomical food fair, takes place in conjunction with the fair, with various foodstuffs and agricultural products for sale. The fair takes place August 14 and 15.

Publication Date: 2004-08-08
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=4264