L'Italia in Piazza at Montecasino

The official public opening on Wednesday 14 will feature a concert of popular film soundtracks by Stelvio Cipriani, accompanied by an orchestra of local musicians, while snippets from the films will be screened on the large outdoor screen. Music continues with Cristiana Pegoraro, a well-known Italian pianist playing classical music concert on Thursday, 50 years of Italian music on Friday and Italjazz, an Italian jazz fusion concert on Saturday.

Italian films will be playing in the Nu Metro, including a film review by Adriano Pintaldi, a retrospective of Marcello Mastroianni and screening of contemporary films.

Flag throwing with artists and drummers in Italian renaissance costume will take place daily before every main event. Also featured is a luxury vehicle and motorbike display including Ferrari and Ducati, plus a Peroni Café stand with cooking demonstrations of Italian cuisine by Mastrantonio and plenty of the best in Italian entertainment.

The launch of Luxottica 2010 collections (Ray Ban, Oakley, Vogue, Chanel, Prada, Versace etc) with the participation of young Italian South African designers will take place in the Montecasino Ballroom on Thursday, 15 October and there are limited tickets available from Computicket.

The festival ends on high note as the book ‘Italian Footprints in South Africa', which illustrates the contribution the Italians have made to South Africa from 1688 to the present day is launched. Find more on the line-up at www.italiainpiazza.co.za.