What’s On in Italy: April

We’re a little late posting this month’s events. But there’s still time to catch them.

VinItaly, Verona. This wine trade fair, in its 42nd year, is a place for wine industry producers, distributors, and critics, to sample some of Italy’s best wines. According to the U.K.’s Italy Magazine, “One of the top events at this year’s Vinitaly will be a special tasting of some of Italy’s top wines from the exceptional vintage of 1997.” The fair goes on through April 7th. But if you miss it in Verona, the fair will travel to Chicago, Washington, DC, and New York in October.

Europacinema European Film Festival, Viareggio. The second edition of the Europacinema Film Festival will take place from April 15-19 and will focus on contemporary films from Germany.

FotoGrafia, Rome. This international photography festival runs from April 4th through May 25th and will focus heavily on photojournalism, including reportages on Tokyo and Burma. There will be lectures, screenings, and multiple presentations devoted to the “7th art” (including a discussion by Czech photojournalist Josef Koudelka). Visitors will also get to check out photography exhibits in the newly opened  Pavilion 9C venue in the Mattatoio.

Rome’s Birthday. On April 21, Rome will celebrate the 2,761st year since its founding by Romulus and Remus with historical parades and (dare I say) goofy reenactments. The festivities will take place beginning April 19, culminating with a commemoration of its founding on the Via Appia Antica. Be sure to check out the Great Parade around the Via dei Fori Imperiali and the Colosseum on April 20 (from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.), which will feature groups in historical dress representing all the former provinces of Rome. If you can’t get enough of those faux gladiators at the Colosseum, then this is the event for you. See the Gruppo Storico Romano website for more details.

Festa di San Marco, Venice. Each year on April 25, Venice celebrates the feast day of its patron saint, San Marco. The festival features food, frolicking, and a procession to Saint Mark’s Basilica.

Related posts

• What’s On in Italy: June 2008
• What’s On in Italy: February 2009
• What’s On In Italy: April 2009
• What’s On in Italy: October 2008
• What’s On in Italy: July 2008