Summer is almost with us and soon the Bagni di Lucca Art Festival will begin. Saturday evening saw an exhibition at La Rondine Gallery…just a taste of things to come.
It’s great to see people come out and join in the fun.
Take a look at Bagni di Lucca Art Festival for the programme.
At sunset the other day we had a strange weather happening. A howling wind burst through the valley for about 10 minutes. It didn’t bring much rain, but the sky was amazing and it briefly turned the village a strange yellow colour.
This is the view from my balcony.
Here is the sky from the other side of the river.
Spring this year has been much better than last year when it seemed the rain would never stop. It is still cool in the mornings and evenings but the days are glorious…come on over.
Omaggio alla Donna is in full swing at the casino at Ponte a Serraglio. I called in this evening to take a look at the paintings, sculpture and photography celebrating women.
It was great to see the exhibition well attended. The casino is a beautiful building and it is wonderful to see it being put to good use.
In the main room of the casino the painting and sculpture are displayed.
In the smaller room in the centre is the photography.
Gemma and her team have done a great job again this year with the exhibition in the second large room. They have put together a collection of things related to kitchens, cooking and table settings from times past.
There is still time to see the exhibition. It will be open tomorrow night, Friday 14th March, from 5.00pm until 8.00pm. On Saturday evening there will be music provided by the Emma Morton Tiro and a buffet will follow.
The event finishes on Sunday evening from 4.00pm until 8.00pm.
International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8th March. The focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women’s economic, political and social achievements.
For the second year Bagni di Lucca will hold its Omaggio alla Donna at the Casino Municipale in Ponte a Serraglio.
There will be exhibitions of painting, sculpture, photography and a display of things related to cooking and recipes from the past until today.
The opening event will be on 8th March at 6.00pm. There will be music and refreshments. A small donation of €5 is suggested.
The exhibition will be open from Saturday 8th until 16th March. On Saturdays and Sundays it will be open from 4.00pm until 8.00pm and Monday to Friday from 5.00pm until 8.00pm.
The exhibition will close on Sunday 16th March. On Saturday evening 15th March, there will be music by the Emma Morton Trio followed by a buffet.
I hope everybody will attend at least once.
Villa Fiori in Ponte a Serraglio was originally called Villa Pieri. The villa takes its present name from Baron Fiori who purchased it in the second half of the 19th century. The appearence of the building has changed several times.
Here is a photo before the most recent change of appearence.
The latest renovation was done by Paolinelli in 1916 – 1917 when it was owned by Jean Varraud, who ran the thermal baths at Bagni Caldi until 1968.
When I first came to Bagni di Lucca some of the statues of swimmers still stood beside the little pool in the garden.
The house now sits lonely and unloved beside the river. The little park near the house is cared for by the people of Borgo degli Artisti and there are regular events held there.
I particularly like the 4 towers in the park on the edge of the property.
Villa Fiori looks wonderful from above the village.
It would be great if someone came along and breathed new life into Villa Fiori…any takers?
The very first Bagni di Lucca Art Festival was held with great success in 2013. Ponte a Serraglio came alive with art exhibitions, performances and parties throughout the summer.
Jaqueline and Jake and their team of volutneers are to be congratulated. With a miniscule budget and a lot of hard work they produced something wonderful.
Old shops in Ponte a Serrraglio were renovated and filled with exciting exhibitions and activities. People came out to enjoy opening celebrations and be part of the first festival. The little piazza was full of artists, performers and fun.
A particular favourite of mine was the installation in the river, called Fragile Community by Sandro Del Pistoia.
Plans are well underway for the 2014 event. This year Jaqueline and Jake are hoping to encourage even more participation in the form of sponsorship (please) and people with ideas and the courage and energy to bring their ideas into fruition.
If you can help in any way…if you think you have a great idea for the festival and have the time to help make it happen…please come forward and let the organisers know.
This year’s event will be shorter and more concentrated and will hopefully spread to other villages in Bagni di Lucca. Jaqueline and Jake would like to include more ideas and people in 2014.
The Bagni di Lucca Art Festival has the potential to be a significant art event which will be excellent for the future of the town. A thriving art community in this beautiful setting would bring more people and provide more jobs for those living here.
The festival needs your help to spread the word…talk to your friends and neighbours about it…write about it on your blog or Facebook page…it would be great if the whole community of Bagni di Lucca was involved…if not as participants or helpers then as spectators.
Please email Jaqueline at artfestivalbagnidilucca@gmail.com if you have any suggestions to make a huge success of the 2014 event.
Look at artfestivalbagnidilucca.org for more information on the festival.
Click here, here, here, here, hereand here to see the posts on Bella Bagni di Lucca about the 2013 Art Festival.
Our house at Ponte a Serraglio has had a few changes since it was originally built. Here is a photo taken at the beginning of the 1900s.
The front of the building was damaged in WWII. It was originally one house, but at some stage it was divided into 2 apartments with a shop below.
Take a look at a post I wrote a while ago, where my friend Tina talks about the Ponte a Serraglio she remembers from her youth. Click here to hear Tina’s story.
This is what our house looks like now.
I am very pleased that the little balcony was added.
I would love to know the story of the faces above our doors and windows.
From our position on the bridge I can observe what happens in the piazza, and it is just a few steps to breakfast at Il Monaco for Annalisa’s great coffee and pastries…reason enough to live in Ponte a Serraglio. Click here to meet Annalisa.
We have a delightful man at Ponte a Serraglio who takes care of the wild ducks on the river. Until recently we also had a white duck and a goose. The duck has been around as long as I have been coming to the village, but he died not long ago, leaving just the goose.
Fortunately he has Alighiero to make sure he is not lonely.
I hope you all have at least one good friend like Alighiero. Have a happy and healthy 2014…see you in Bagni di Lucca one day soon.
Panettone is a sweet bread prepared all over Italy for Christmas. Making the bread is a lengthy process, with the dough taking days to cure. The bread contains candied orange, citron, lemon zest and raisins.
Luckily for us, making panettone is not necessary. Annalisa makes very delicious panettone at Il Monaco in Ponte a Serraglio.
You will have to be quick, there are only so many she can make.
The weather has been a bit ordinary for the last few days. It is raining and cool…to be expected at this time of the year.
Autumn leaves are floating down the river, along with our resident ducks.
Despite the weather canoeists were out on the river too.
The little weir at Ponte a Serraglio is the end of the line for canoeists. There wasn’t much water flowing over it on Sunday but they all made it safely.
There is always something interesting happening on the river.
Go to www.bagnidiluccaavventura.it to find out about adventure activities in Bagni di Lucca.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 