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WHAT CHANGES IN ITALY

On the agenda: What’s happening in Italy this week

From chocolate and truffle festivals to student protests and World War II bomb disposal operations, here's what's happening in Italy this week.

Bologna's Cioccoshow chocolate exhibition is just one of the events to look out for in Italy this week.
Bologna's Cioccoshow chocolate exhibition is just one of the events to look out for in Italy this week. Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP.

Monday

Storms on the way – The prolonged spell of unseasonably warm weather across Italy is expected to end on Monday, with forecasters warning that a series of storms is on the way.

Heavy rain and snow is expected to arrive in the north-west on Monday, moving to the centre-south by midweek. Further storms are expected at the weekend.

Anti-fascist exhibition in Rome – The exhibition ‘A woman, a mother’ (Una donna, una madre) by artist Clelia Mori opens in memory of Genoeffa Cocconi, mother of the seven Cervi brothers, who are considered heroes of anti-fascism for their organised resistance to Mussolini’s regime.

The exhibition will be held at the Casa Cervi Museum in Gattatico in Reggio Emilia and runs until December 28th – the 79th anniversary of the execution of the brothers.

Tuesday

It may seem odd to be discussing snow tyres when the sun is shining and temperatures remain higher than the seasonal average across Italy, but the Highway Code states that winter tires are obligatory from November 15th.

In fact, motorists are supposed to change their tyres from October 15th, but there’s a one-month grace period before the requirement is enforced by fines of up to 335 euros.

The final date for switching back to summer tyres is April 15th.

Wednesday

Italy new interior minister Matteo Piantedosi is scheduled to give an urgent cabinet briefing on France and Italy’s migrant ship stand off at 11.45am on Wednesday, as tensions mount between the two countries.

READ ALSO: Why are France and Italy rowing over migrants and what are the consequences?

France on Friday accepted the Ocean Viking rescue ship that had been seeking safe harbour in Italy, but in return said it would suspend a previous plan to take in 3,500 refugees currently in Italy, and urged other EU nations to do the same. 

Piantedosi said France’s move is incomprehensible and disproportionate, and calls into question the principle of European solidarity.

France on Friday allowed people on the Ocean Viking rescue ship to disembark on its shores.

France on Friday allowed people on the Ocean Viking rescue ship to disembark on its shores. Photo by Vincenzo Circosta / AFP.

Thursday

Chocolate lovers, rejoice: it’s the start of Cioccoshow in Bologna, which this year is happening on November 17th-20th.

The exhibit will be held this year in Piazza XX Settembre; approximately 40 chocolate makers from all over the country will be showcasing their delicacies.

If truffles and wine are more your thing, look no further than Genova’s Tartufando festival, taking place on the same dates in Piazza Sarzano.

Friday

From Bari to Milan, students across Italy will be taking to the streets on Friday to call for schools to be placed at the top of the new government’s list of priorities.

Italy’s Students Union is making five demands, including the introduction of a law on the right to study, reform of the current rules with regard to student representation and participation, and increased inclusivity in schools.

Sunday

Around 2,000 residents of Orvieto Scalo and Ciconia will be asked to temporarily evacuate their homes on Sunday in order to allow for the safe diffusion of a 500-pound US-made World War II bomb, which was recently discovered in the Paglia riverbed.

The extraction operation will begin at 7 am and must be completed by 9 am, after which the bomb will be safely detonated; until 1 pm there will be an absolute ban on entering and remaining in the area.

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For members

WHAT CHANGES IN ITALY

On the agenda: What’s happening in Italy this week

From Labour Day celebrations to free museum openings, here’s what to expect in Italy this week.

On the agenda: What’s happening in Italy this week

Monday

Italy celebrates its patron saint

Italians will celebrate Catherine of Siena – one of the country’s two patron saints together with Francis of Assisi – on Monday, April 29th.

Saint Catherine’s feast day will be a special occasion for many around Italy, particularly for people in the saint’s hometown of Siena, Tuscany, where the observance will be marked by a number of events and religious functions spread over the entire week.

Tuesday

Airbnb bans indoor surveillance cameras

Surveillance cameras will no longer be allowed inside Airbnb rentals from Tuesday, April 30th, under a new company-wide policy that will affect hosts and customers globally, including in Italy.

Until now, Airbnb has allowed hosts to install security cameras in common spaces such as hallways and living rooms provided that they were clearly visible and mentioned in the listing. But reports of guests finding hidden cameras in private spaces has led the company to ban indoor video surveillance altogether. 

Hosts will still be able to install outdoor cameras after Tuesday, but will have to clearly specify where they are stationed.

Wednesday 

Labour Day celebrations

Wednesday, May 1st will mark Italy’s Labour Day (or Festa del Lavoro in Italian).

First established in 1890 to celebrate workers’ rights and trade unions’ achievements, Labour Day is a national public holiday, which means a day off for many around the country. 

People enjoy a sunny day at Rome's Villa Ada park

People enjoy a sunny day at Rome’s Villa Ada park on May 1st 2014. Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP

Offices and schools will be closed on the day, while most state-run museum and archaeological sites will remain open.

READ ALSO: What’s open and what’s closed in Italy on May 1st 2024

Rail and public transport operators tend to operate a number of ‘holiday services’ (servizi or orari festivi) on national holidays, including Labour Day. 

However, these services may experience delays and/or cancellations this year due to a 24-hour general strike that will involve staff from both public and private transport operators around the country.

May 1st concert in Rome

The traditional Labour Day concert (known as concertone, or ‘the big concert’, in Italy) will return to Rome on Wednesday, May 1st.

The event, which is the largest free live music concert in Europe, will take place at the Circus Maximus venue, with performances from some of the most popular Italian artists set to start as early as 3pm.

All acts will be free of charge. No advance booking is required, but access to the square will be denied after full capacity is reached.

Friday 

Nationwide rail maintenance staff strike

Train passengers around the country may experience disruption on Friday, May 3rd as rail maintenance staff at Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), which owns and manages all of Italy’s railway network, plan to strike for 24 hours. 

The protest, which is backed by some of Italy’s largest trade unions, may affect the normal operation of both regional trains and long-distance services operated by Trenitalia and Italo.

Further information about the protest and its impact on rail travel is expected to become available closer to the date of the walkout. You can keep up with all the latest updates in our strike news section. 

Saturday

Giro d’Italia gets underway

The 2024 edition of the Giro d’Italia – one of the world’s most prestigious bicycle races – will run from Saturday, May 4th to Sunday, May 26th. 

This year’s Giro will start in Venaria Reale, just north of Turin, and end right by Rome’s iconic Fori Imperiali, passing through cities, lakes and mountain ranges all over northern and southern Italy on the way.

READ ALSO: A quick guide to understanding the Giro d’Italia

French rider Alex Baudin pictured during the 20th stage of the Giro d'Italia race in May 2023

French rider Alex Baudin pictured during the 20th stage of the Giro d’Italia race in May 2023. Photo by Luca BETTINI / AFP

If you’re in Genoa on May 8th, Naples on the 12th, Padua on the 23rd, or Rome on the 26th, you’ll have the opportunity to see a leg of the race in person. More information is available here.

Sunday

Free museum openings

People around Italy will be able to visit state-run museums and archaeological sites free of charge on Sunday, May 5th under the popular Domenica al Museo or ‘free museum Sundays’ national scheme.

The initiative applies to hundreds of sites, including world-famous attractions like the Colosseum, Pompeii, Florence’s Galleria dell’Accademia, the Reggia di Caserta and Trieste’s Miramare Castle. 

Find more information about how it works in our article.

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