• Filmfestival "Città di Trento": it is the most ancient film festival of the world about mountain and alpinism. This festival has grown together with techniques and ethic of alpinism, but also with the problems of the environment, of the territory; with the relation between humankind and mountain. In this occasion there are meetings, seminars, films, events dedicated to publishing houses focused on mountain and alpinism (such as Montagnalibri and Mostra Mercato Internazionale delle Librerie Antiquarie della Montagna). Every year artists, actors, alpinists, directors come to Trento from all over the world.
• Autunno trentino: this autumn event is dedicated to cookery and to typical products. Visitors can eat and buy typical food.
• Città in giardino: it is a biennale dedicated to nature and to its several characteristics. There are many kinds of flowers, exhibitions, games, literary and cinematographic events, gastronomic moments, in various parts of the town. Children are involved in many activities. There are also guided tours of the town and laboratories.
• Feste Vigiliane: these feasts are dedicated to the patron, S. Vigilio (26^th June), the bishop who died as a martyr in IV century b. C. In the streets of the ancient part of the town there are musicians and jesters. There is also a typical dinner, called Cena benedettina. It recalls a really ancient tradition according to which Benedictine friars (that lived on the right bank of Adige River) offered a meal to the poorest people. The historical procession is made of more than 400 people wearing historical costumes and follows the path of Renaissance processions. In piazza Duomo there is a "Tribunale de Penitenza" with a Judge who is the only one to have the power to judge. There is a real process about the bad actions of some famous people of Trento (not only politicians). ‘La Tonca’ is the representation of an ancient punishment for blasphemers, used between XIV and XVII century. The person was put in a cage and submerged in the cold water of Adige River. He/she was submerged three times in the water and he/she survived only if he/she was strong enough. Most times, the person died. The Fair is a very important event for local handicraft. Artisans exhibit their products in the so-called "Via delle Arti e dei Mestieri dell’Artigianato Trentino". Then there is the swimming crossing of the Adige to which experts and professional swimmers take part. There are 52 participants (one for each district of the town). They leave from the right bank and arrive to the left one. Palio dell’Oca is a competition in which five raftsmen on five rafts face eight tasks. Today this competition is also an international one involving the towns twinned with Trento, Prague, Berlin, Charlottenburg, Kempten, San Sabastian and others. ‘Mascherada di Ciusi e dei Gobj’ recalls a legend: king Teodorico decided to fortify some towns, among them Trento. He called the inhabitants from several towns, also from Feltre. But in that period there was a terrible famine and the workers from Feltre stole the food of Trento. A terrible battle developed between the two towns and the inhabitants of Trento won. This event performs this ancient battle. There are two teams: one is for Trento, the other is for Feltre. They fight to conquer the "polenta", symbol of the ancient foods.
• Casolara: this fair is dedicated to cheese. During Middle Ages, in Lent period, people could not eat meat and so more cheese was eaten. There are also meetings about cheese, and people can try local cheese together with local wines. In the restaurants people can taste typical cheese dishes.
• Fiera di S. Giuseppe: this fair celebrates spring with a market in the ancient part of the town. Fruit trees, ornamental plants, etc. are sold.
• Fiera di S. Lucia: this fair announces that Christmas is coming.
• Fiera di S. Croce: in the past this fair was dedicated to wood stairs. Today there are no more stairs but many other objects.
• Mercatino dei Gaudenti: this market sells many different things, antiques, old books, etc. It is on the second Saturday of each month.
• Mercatino di Natale: this Christmas market is a way to live between ancient traditions and modernity. Visitors can find nice presents, cakes, and typical dishes.
• Palio delle Contrade: this competition recalls the year 1487, in which there was the battle of Calliano (a small town near Trento). The Venetian troops trying to conquer new territories fought against the Bishop’s armies that defended the territory. Venetians were defeated and now each year there is the celebration of this event.
• Festival dell’Economia: this event is dedicated to economy. The most important experts of the world come to Trento to discuss about this difficult but interesting subject.

 

 

 

Copyright Starnetwork srl - All rights reserved
Written by Stefania Maffeo
Translation by Linda Liguori