For those who know Venice well, it’s needless to say that the month of September has always represented the best that one can expect. From the unwavering allure of the city – which, in truth, can be witnessed practically at any time of the year – to that of the events, which for years have characterized what is defined as the “Venetian September”.
But let’s go in order and try, as a good tourism agenda, to outline in short summary the most anticipated events of the period.
Venice Film Festival
It is the great protagonist of the moment, also because of the aforementioned prestigious anniversary that it is about to celebrate. Its 79th edition, officially opened on 31 August, will continue until 10 September with the festive ceremony where the Lions are delivered in the historic Sala Grande of the Palazzo del Cinema.
Directed by Alberto Barbera, this year’s official selection presents 73 works divided into the traditional sections: Venice 79 (the Competition section); Out of Competition (works by established authors, of a generally spectacular dimension); Orizzonti (‘Horizons’; new expressive trends); Biennale College Cinema. In addition to these, there will be the Venezia Classici sections, with restored films and documentaries on the history of cinema, and the International Critics’ Week.
A selection dedicated to short films and one to TV series will complete the screenings program. Altogether, the countries represented at the Festival will be 56.
Among the many names that will light up this edition, those that stand out are the great French actress Catherine Deneuve and the American director and screenwriter Paul Schrader, who have been awarded theGolden Lion for Lifetime Achievement; the American actress Julianne Moore, nominated president of the International Jury and the Spanish actress and presenter Rocío Muñoz, host of the opening and closing evenings of the Festival.
The Art scene
Extending almost throughout the entire urban weft of the city, it is ideally defined by its focal point: the 59th International Art Exhibition of the Biennale.
Established in the traditional spaces between the Giardini of Castello and the ancient Arsenal, it spreads all over the city with the national Participations (over 80 countries are represented this year) and with the collateral events.
The Biennale is additionally accompanied by a large series of exhibitions promoted by major institutions, but also by museums, cultural associations and art galleries
The Campiello Literary Prize
It is another of the great emblems of Venice. Recognized as one of the highest Italian awards in the literary field, it reaches its prestigious sixtieth edition this year.
Established in 1962 by the industrialists of the Veneto, promoted and managed by the ‘Il Campiello’ Foundation, formed by the Industrial Associations of the Veneto region, this award ceremony will be presented on Saturday 3 September for its final evening. On this occasion, the Jury of Three Hundred Readers will announce the winning novel among the five finalists.
Walter Veltroni will represent the Literary Jury.
The Historical Regatta
It is the main appointment of the Venetian tradition, scheduled as always on the first Sunday of September (4).
The Historical Regatta is the most spectacular show on the waters of Venice.
Consisting of a colourful historical procession and a series of lively regattas, occurring along the one-of-a-kind course of the Grand Canal, it will be visible to all, along the bridges and banks, or from a floating platform purposefully set up along the shore of San Silvestro.
The Italian Glass Week
From thrills on the water to those of glass, another primary element of the life of this city. From Saturday 17 to Sunday 25 September, the focus will be on the Venetian Glass Week, this year the event will be twinned with the city of Milan which will present its own similar first edition a week earlier.
For those who do not yet know it, this is an event of international breadth, dedicated to glass with a particular focus towards the renowned Murano production.
A program of over 250 events, organized by 150 participants between museums, institutions, universities, companies, artists and designers both from Italy and abroad, will offer in this period an extraordinary opportunity to get to know and deepen this subject, which in Venice is considered a real art form.
The shows section
Finally, Music cannot be missing among the Arts. The month of September offers various opportunities in this field also. Starting from the billboard of the first theatre in the city, La Fenice, with two famous operas, Il Trovatore by Giuseppe Verdi and Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini, we finish with the prestigious International Festival of Contemporary Music, produced by the Venice Biennale, scheduled from 14 to 25 September.
This scene will be completed, among many other occasions, by the traditional Galuppi Festival, “The places of Baldassare” and the Mythical Baroque cycle of the Venice Music Project, at the Scuola Grande dei Carmini.
