La Notte Romantica (Romantic Night)
returns to ancient villages and hamlets across Italy on June 24
in a celebration of the summer solstice three days previously.
200 of the 'Most beautiful hamlets in Italy' are taking part
in the initiative that begins with dinner and then moves into
the local streets and squares with music and drama performances,
film screenings and other cultural events on the theme of beauty
and love.
The party culminates with the traditional midnight kiss and
release of heart-shaped balloons.
"Last year a million people celebrated with us," association
president Fiorello Primi said.
"6,000 photos were tagged on the Instagram page, including
over 1,000 during the party itself," he added.
The page attracted "six million visualisations, particularly
in Italy and the United States. And then, unlike on white nights
(all-night cultural events giving free access to museums,
galleries and monuments), from the outset we structured the
party starting from dinner, with special menus. This year will
see the debut of the dessert Pensiero d'amore (love thought)
created by the chef Porzia Vitali'', Primi continued.
This year the Notte Romantica will also be celebrated
simultaneously in Spain and Belgium as a result of the adherence
of the equivalent Spanish and Belgian associations Los Pueblos
Mas bonito de Espana and Les plus beaux villages de Wallonie.
The Italian association is also looking abroad for the
future.
"Spreading the concept of the Italian 'hamlet', turning it
into an international word like 'pizza', is fundamental,"
explained Primi.
In this respect investment is needed "especially in
extra-European countries such as the US, Japan and China" in
order to explain to potential tourists what hamlets are and what
life is like there.
"This is officially the year of the hamlet ... and we are
promoting everything that makes us unique and the best in the
world," said Italian tourist board executive director Giovanni
Bastianelli, citing campaigns from London to Argentina.
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