Can you help?

Posted on August 10, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

There was a small earthquake in Bagni di Lucca earlier this year. Fortunately nobody was hurt, but there was some structural damage to some of the ancient buildings in the area.

The 16th century church of Madonna della Neve in Guzzano suffered considerable internal damage.

The chapel was completed in 1537. In that year the pre-existing chapel was restored and enlarged to its current size and shape. Inside the chapel are notable works of art, including a statue of the Virgin with Child attributed to Della Robbia.

Claudio Gemignani of Gombereto is heading up an effort to raise funds in Italy to help save the church. Ann Barsi is looking after efforts in the USA where $5,000 has already been raised.

Ann Barsi’s book, “Pieve di Controne – 2012” will be sold at the Gombereto Medieval Festival on 31st August and all the proceeds will be donated to the restoration.

I hope you can all make it to the festival and buy a book to help the church.

Click here to see more on the book.

email Sig. Barsi at obarsi@verizon.net for more information on the fundraising efforts.

Delicious butter

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

I love butter…I probably shouldn’t…but I do. When Heather from Sapori-e-saperi told me of a place nearby that makes the most delicious butter, I had to visit.

Azienda Taufi is in Melo, just outside Cutigliano…on the road from Bagni di Lucca to Abetone. Their butter, ricotta, cheese and yoghurt (all excellent) are made from the milk of their gorgeous cows. They were all indoors on the day we visited, but in better weather they get to graze on the lush grass of the dairy farm.

Meet some of the girls…and the lone sheep…and the cat.

We also met Daniela in the little shop attached to the dairy.

She showed us through the production and store.

If you like quality dairy products it is worth the drive up the mountain to buy direct from the producers. It is possible to buy Azienda Taufi products from some local outlets…keep an eye out for them.

www.itaufi.it

agriturismoitaufi@alice.it

River art

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Our lovely friend Agostino sent these great photos of the latest art installation at Ponte a Serraglio. He lives above the village and has a bird’s eye view.

Here is a closer perspective.

…and from the other side of the bridge.

It looks like giant meccano floating on the river. I have no idea how it was done. Had I been at Ponte a Serraglio while it was happening I would have been able to tell, it is right under our balcony.

Thank you Agostino for the great photos!

Paolo’s gelato

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

It is no secret that I am a big fan of Paolo Citti. I am delighted that he has opened a new bar and cafe in Fornoli. I am even more pleased that his gelato making is fully operational.

Now the biggest problem is which flavour to have.

I find it difficult to go past nocciola and pistachio, but I was also tempted by chocolate and coconut…life can be molto difficile sometimes.

Say hello to lovely Paolo at Catene Cafe in Fornoli for me next time you go.

Sculpture in the park

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

There are five sculptors working in the hot sun in the Villa Fiori gardens to create beautiful art pieces from Carrara marble…all part of the Bagni di Lucca Art Festival.

Our roving reporter Kerry braved the heat to see the action and share it with us.

Michael Cartwright is an Australian artist who lives and works in Bagni di Lucca.

His marble is taking the abstract shape of a bird.

Canadian artist Doug Robinson is working on a water and bird theme.

Sarah Danays is a UK artist who has a house in one of Bagni di Lucca’s hilltop villages. Her sculpture is taking the form of a bust to display a beautiful neckpiece.

Japanese artist Ryoichi Suzuki beautiful free form shape is developing daily.

Petra Boshart from the Netherlands is working on 2 pieces representing the flowing water of the nearby Lima River.

If you are at Ponte a Serraglio stop by the park and watch the developing sculpture. There will be a display of the finished sculptures at Ponte a Serraglio on Friday 26th July.

Go to www.artfestivalbagnidilucca.org for more on the sculpture symposium.

Two exhibitions at Circolo dei Forestieri

Posted on July 21, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Circolo dei Forestieri in La Villa is currently hosting 2 art exhibitions.

The first is a display of Mailart. Beautifully decorated envelopes have been sent to Bagni di Lucca from far and wide and are now on show.

The second is an exhibition is called Sacred and Profane…a selection of plaster statues produced by Arte Barsanti, a local factory which has been in operation since 1900. Bagni di Lucca is well known for its production of plaster presepi, nativity scenes. Here is a chance to see some beautiful pieces. Click here to see more about Arte Barsanti.

Both exhibitions are on until 25th July. Go up the stairs beside the restaurant.

Thank you Morena and Kerry for the great photos.

Art Competition at Villa Fiori

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Every year the Borgo degli Artisti organises an art competition at Ponte a Serraglio in the beautiful grounds of the Villa Fiori. Kerry was there to take some photos for us so we can be part of the fun day.

It was a hot day and the artists sought shade where they could.

Lots of artists were there to paint our gorgeous village.

Here are the winners.

Thank you Borgo degli Artisti for a great event.

Notti di Musica al Casino

Posted on July 16, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

A very exciting part of the Bagni di Lucca Art Festival is the live entertainment. The organisers of the Art Festival in collaboration with the Fondazione Michel de Montaigne are presenting 3 wonderful evenings of music at the Casino in Ponte a Serraglio.

The Casino was the very first in Europe and was brought back to life several years ago with a beautiful renovation. What an excellent setting for these events!

On Thursday 18th July at 9.00pm there will be a concert piano recital by Ronald Farren-Price, a renowned Australian pianist. He will be performing Beethoven, Debussy, Chopin and Liszt.

On Friday 19th July at 9.00pm Neco Novellas will perform World Live Music.

On Saturday 20th July at 9.00pm Lucca Opera Festival will perform Opera in Maschera. Soloists Michelle Buscemi, Elena Fioretti, Letizia Cappellini, Claudio Sassetti, Mattia Campetti and Andrea Carcassi will perfrom the music of Mozart with pianist Jonathan Brandani. I have attended several delightful performances by the ensemble at the Oratorio degli Angeli Custodi in Lucca and I wish I was in Bagni di Lucca to see them in the beautiful Casino.

These amazing concerts are free, but you will need to book a place by email through http://artfestivalbagnidilucca.org or phone 349 5985908.

What a great time to be in Bagni di Lucca!

The opening celebrations for the Bagni di Lucca Art Festival

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

The first Bagni di Lucca Art Festival was officially opened with a party at Ponte a Serraglio. Several of the shops in the main street have been renovated and are now home to visiting artists.

On Saturday night the road was closed and there was a wonderful street party.

The artists exhibiting for the first weeks include…
Giuseppe del Debbio
Christian Gironda
Melissa Moore
Gianmarco Caselli
Jacolo da San Martino
Selby Hickey
David Finkbeiner
Michael Hanning

Thank you to my lovely friends Kerry and Moira for taking photos for us. I wish I had been there to join in the fun. I’m sure the next couple of months are going to be exciting in Ponte a Serraglio.

Congratulations to Jaqueline and her team for a successful opening to a very welcome event. For more information on the Art Festival please take a look at their website.www.artfestivalbagnidilucca.org

Hello boys!

Posted on July 11, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

The hills around Bagni di Lucca are very popular with cyclists. This little group took the time to wave to me on my balcony.

No self respecting Italian cyclist would leave home without the right clothing.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany