by Luciana Apicella
The acronym FOMO – “Fear of Missing out”, afraid of being cut off – indicates the social anxiety of losing the numerous events, meetings, worldly appointments that throng our daily life, especially in a vibrant city full of stimulus like Bologna. How to fight the Fomo? It is simple if you follow our little reasoned guide to extricate in the sea magnum of the cultural and leisure offers of the Bolognese summer, which from year to year becomes more and more rich.
A as Art – Culture does not go on vacation: the numerous exhibitions held in the city’s museums prove it. Starting with “Ex Africa”, the beautiful exhibition dedicated to African art and to centuries-old intertwining with European culture and history, scheduled until September 8th at the Archaeological Civic Museum (via dell’Archiginnasio, 2). At MAST (via Speranza, 42) until September 22nd, we advise you not to miss the exhibition “Anthropocene“, which through art, cinema, technology and rigorous scientific investigation investigates the impact of man on the planet through the extraordinary images of Edward Burtynsky , films by Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier and immersive augmented reality experiences. The environmental theme is also at the center of the exhibition “Planet or Plastic?” Scheduled in the magnificent Baroque oratory of Santa Maria della Vita (via Clavature, 8) until 22 September, the result of collaboration between the National Geographic and the Genus museum circuit Bononiae: photographs and installations that use the powerful aesthetic quality to testify brutally the devastating consequences of plastic pollution in every corner of the planet. Then it is impossible not to stop and admire, in the same complex, the famous “Lamentation over the Dead Christ” by Niccolò dell’Arca, a harrowing “stone scream”, as Gabriele d’Annunzio defined it. Finally, we report three exhibitions related to music: starting with “Vivaldi. My life, my music “, at Palazzo Fava (via Manzoni, 2, until 3 November), an unusual immersive and multimedia pathway in life – mostly shrouded in mystery – and in the works of one of the greatest composers of all the times, which is told in the first person with the unmistakable voice of Giancarlo Giannini. Al MAMbo – Museum of Modern Art of Bologna (via Don Minzoni, 14) “Think of yourself free. Bologna rock 1979 “, which reinterprets in a historical key the great season experienced by music and countercultures in the city between the Seventies and the Eighties of the last century. At the Music Museum (Strada Maggiore, 34) “The designer is free”, an exhibition of graphic works, mostly unpublished, by one of the most unforgettable interpreters of Italian rock, Ivan Graziani.
B as Children – Appointment every Saturday morning in summer with the “Fantomachie in the Albani Market” at the Mercato Coperto in via Albani 12, with games and workshops dedicated to the little ones to unleash the imagination starting from the creative reuse and recycling, and use the art as experimentation and self-knowledge. Games for the little ones also at the Collina delle Meraviglie in via Sabbiuno, 6, with workshops every Saturday in June and the first of July, while mum and dad can shop in the farmer’s market set up in the farmyard, enjoy an aperitif based on craft beers and wines or listen to the musicians who will take turns on stage (info www.lacollinadellemeraviglie.it). In the inner courtyard of the Duse Theater (via Cartoleria, 42), for the second year, “Un’estate mitica!” Is back, the beautiful review by Fantateatro that traces the stories of the Greek myth, bringing children lightly to the great classics of literature of ancient theater. In June and July, the XI September park in via Riva di Reno hosts Cineporto Kids, a rich calendar dedicated to children, including shows, music, animated readings and workshops: all events, including workshops, are free (for information we recommend follow the Facebook page @ Cine-Porto BOff). For appointments dedicated to children we recommend visiting the Bimbò website www.bambinidavivere.com.
C as Cinema – The most beautiful cinema in the world, and not the others, because the Piazza Maggiore screen and the “crescentone” crowded with thousands of people in silence, moved or participating in front of the masterpieces of the Seventh Art are really one show not to be missed. From June 22nd to 30th the “Cinema rediscovered” exhibition of the Cineteca di Bologna (www.festival.ilcinemaritrovato.it) is a paradise for film buffs, who flock to the city from all over the world for an intense three-week exploration week of cinema, including restorations, rediscovered masterpieces, tributes and retrospectives. If the projections of the days have the Lumière Cinema as their heart, in the evening the magic moves to Piazza Maggiore: among the projections of this year, all rigorously with free admission, we point out those of Easy Rider by Dennis Hopper, Rome by Federico Fellini, Miracle in Milan by Vittorio De Sica and Piano Lessons by Jane Campion. Until August 14th then every evening you will find yourself “Under the stars of the cinema”, which will bring the classics of every era that have made the history of cinema to the big screen in Piazza Maggiore. From 7 to 17 June another now historic event, Biografilm Festival – International Celebration of Lives (www.biografilm.it), the festival that explores the new trends in film and international documentary, with a particular focus on biographies, with many highly anticipated film premieres capable of portraying the greatest protagonists of world art and culture. For those who missed the film programming of this season, the tempting opportunity to recover it is at the Puccini Arena (via Sebastiano Serlio, 25), where among the trees of the Dopolavoro railway park it is possible to review the most recent Italian and international films most successful.
M for Music – The great novelty of the summer 2019 is the first edition of the Bologna Sonic Park, scheduled from June 27th to July 19th in the historic Joe Strummer Arena of the Parco Nord: between historical names of the national and international scene – Afterhours, Subsonica, Slipknot, Skunk Anansie – to “Unforgettable”, the review-in-review dedicated to the new Italian independent music (bolognasonicpak.com). The gardens of Via Filippo Re host the tenth edition of BOtanique from June 14th to July 27th: Nouvelle Vague, Giovanni Lindo Ferretti, Geneva by Marco and Cristina Donà, Joan As A Police Woman are just some of the artists who will take turns on the stage immersed in the nice park in the university area. Free concerts, cinemas, craft beers, cocktails and quality gastronomy are the winning ingredients of the evenings of the Estragon Club summer festival. Not only is the Kilowatt Summer review at the Giardini Serre, discover more about www.facebook.com /kilowattbologna
P for Performance – Like those that take place in one of the most evocative places of the city, the monumental cemetery of the Certosa, which also this year offers a rich calendar of events to discover its charm, especially to be enjoyed at night. Among traveling shows, historical re-enactments, guided tours to discover the mysteries and the most striking artistic glimpses, there are over 50 appointments to choose from. Performances and poetry readings are those that will interest various places in the city for the sixth edition of Oven, an international poetry festival organized by the Center for Contemporary Poetry of the University of Bologna, which brings the most famous Italian and international poets to the city (info www .centrodipoesia.it / ovenfestival).
T for Tour – A truly unusual visit is the one offered by “BolognadaSballo”: armed with walkmans with a vintage flavor, the participants will be guided on a journey through a story recited by about twenty actors, discovering two top secret routes through the streets of Bologna (for information www.bolognadasballo.it). Until September, “Mastic the toponymy!” Is also scheduled, which offers six guided tours to discover the history, territory and characters of Bologna starting from the street names (www.servizimusealibologna.com). For those who love the atmosphere of the city by night there are evening guided tours organized by the Didasco Association, to get lost in the medieval streets, discover anecdotes, secrets and events related to the history of the city, from the Basilica of San Petronio to the Bagni di Mario, from the Jewish Ghetto to the Crypt of San Zama, the first meeting place for the Christians of Bologna.
V come Wines – Celebrated worldwide for its gastronomic specialties, the hilly area of Bologna boasts a centuries-old winemaking tradition. Terra del Pignoletto, the autochthonous wine par excellence, the craft cellars of the Bologna Hills offer a wide choice of high quality wines, all to be discovered, such as the Bianco and Rosso Bologna varieties and the wines of international varieties, such as Barbera (of which it is one of the areas of greatest production) Merlot, Sauvignon and Cabernet Sauvignon. Summer is an ideal time to participate in tasting tours of the many companies in the area, where the producers themselves will welcome you, while the route will take you to discover the scenic and architectural beauties of the hills just a few kilometers from Bologna. As from Manaresi agriculture and wines of Zola Predosa (by reservation, for information www.manaresi.net), winery managed by the heirs of Paolo Manaresi, famous Bolognese painter of the early twentieth century, which can be admired inside the farmhouse that today hosts the company the work tools. Do not miss the aperitifs in the vineyard in the magnificent setting of Corte d’Aibo (13 and 27 June, 11 and 25 July, 8 August), a historic organic farm in the Regional Park of the Abbey of Monteveglio, which welcomes guests with organic wines and a selection of gastronomic products from small producers in the Valsamoggia area (www.cortedaibo). And again Podere Riosto, in Pianoro, another company with a long tradition, which organizes suggestive dinners in the vineyard during the summer, as well as visits to the cellars, tastings and lunches. Because the culture of a territory is also known at the table, or in a glass. We remember the review Zola Jazz & Wine from June 15th to July 6th 2019 in Zola Predona which turns 20 (http://www.zolajazzwine.it/), a festival that combines good wine and jazz.