Walk 888: Eight Women From Grazie di Curtatone to Assisi, Between Art and Spirituality

Eight women artists will walk a 376-kilometre route from the Sanctuary of the Beata Vergine delle Grazie in Curtatone to the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi from 17 to 26 August 2026, crossing four regions and 11 cities. The project, “888 – Le donne cantano San Francesco. Un percorso di voci, pace e libertà,” is promoted by the City of Curtatone with the support of ANPI and will be open to citizens, associations, pilgrims and walkers.

The journey begins in the context of the Antichissima Fiera delle Grazie and the 52nd National Meeting of Madonnari (13–16 August). On 14 August at 7 p.m., at the Sanctuary of Grazie di Curtatone, the collective 888 will present “Cantica” as a preview. The performances will combine polyvocal singing, storytelling, soundscapes, women’s voices and traditional instruments, with stops designed for meetings focused on nature, listening and local community memory. The itinerary runs from Curtatone to San Benedetto Po on 17 August, Mirandola on 18 August, San Giovanni in Persiceto (19), San Benedetto Val di Sambro (20), San Piero a Sieve (21), Pratovecchio Stia (22), Chiusi della Verna (23), Città di Castello (24) and Gubbio (25), arriving in Assisi on 26 August. The number 8 references the 800th anniversary of San Francesco’s death and the 80th anniversary of the first vote by Italian women, and the project highlights women’s role in passing down songs, stories, prayers and oral traditions. The performers are Marta Mazzocchi, Asmara Bassetti, Giulia Dabalà, Margherita Frau, Elisa Guarraggi, Viola Marielli, Sonja Kieser and Sara Ubbiali.
Italian Version