Cecina Art Week in Toscolano Maderno Features International Art, Wine, and Culture

Food for the soul and delights for the palate: painting and dance, art in its various forms, fine wines, and the typical gastronomy of Garda are just some of the ingredients of the «Cecina Art Week», which will make the period between late July and early August particularly interesting. The event is organized in the small and charming hamlet of Toscolano Maderno by a group of enthusiasts: led by a German lady, Charlotte Heiss, president of the Cecina Promotion Association. The international character of the event is also evidenced by a prestigious recognition: the «Week» is sponsored by the British and German Consulates. The lineup features quality events: artists of international repute and considerable value will participate. The schedule includes events every evening and, over the course of seven days, solo exhibitions by nineteen artists, who will display directly in the small square or in other public and private spaces of the picturesque Garda village: among them, Finnish artist Simo Nygren, German Heiko Haschlar, Italians Natino Chirico, and many others, including young students from the Gargnano art school. The events will begin on the evening of Sunday, July 29, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the inauguration of the exhibitions. The event on July 30 is titled «Fantasy of Decorations», an artistic performance by Luisa Bertelli and Annarosa Brunazzo, specialists in Renaissance and Baroque decoration. On July 31, the main event will be the presentation, by Mayor Paolo Elena and Professor Carlo Simoni, of projects to enhance the splendid Valle delle Cartiere. On the same evening, a concert by Duo Brevenna featuring Irish and Scottish sounds will take place in the square, along with an artistic performance by maestro Luigi Ferranti, who will paint etchings in real-time. On the evening of August 1, the event will focus on contemporary art trends: Giampaolo Atzeni will create digital portraits of the audience, reinterpreted on the computer. On August 2, in the garden of the rectory, a debate on «Culture and Tourism» is scheduled: participants will include, along with Mayor Elena and other guests, the president of the Provincial Administration Alberto Cavalli and the Consuls of Germany and Great Britain. That same evening, the artistic event will be the ballet «Dancing for You» performed by the Danza Viva company of Enkel Zhuti. August 3 will host an event dedicated to Garda wines and gastronomy: special guests will include Provincial Agriculture Councillor Giampaolo Mantelli and the president of Ente Vini Bresciani, Alberto Pancera. On August 4, a light music concert organized by Domenico Severino’s orchestra is planned. That evening, Cecina’s little square will be enriched by talented German jewelers from the Bartel family of Augusta, displaying splendid replicas from the legendary Fugger collection. The jewelry exhibition will be repeated on August 5, which also marks the official closing evening of the «Week». «In past editions,» explains the organizer, Charlotte Heiss, «we noticed that people are more willing to attend if there’s a mix of different offerings: that’s why we alternated various types of events, hosted artists with diverse and alternative styles, internationally established or very young. The common denominator of all exhibitions and events is quality, or better yet, the beauty that at Cecina, together, we will share during this week».