Christmas among the Olives Festival Highlights Garda’s Cultural, Gastronomic, and Sporting Events
Following last year’s successful public turnout, accompanied by a significant increase in tourists, the event “Christmas among the Olives” returns. The 2000-2001 edition involves nine municipalities along the Garda Veneto coast and hinterland, revealing their scenic, cultural, touristic, and enogastronomic charms even under the Christmas lights. A Christmas set amid Mediterranean plants such as olives, laurel, cypresses, surrounded by subtropical exotic species including American agave, prickly pears, and palms. The connection with the Mediterranean derives from Garda’s particular climate, which is not only the largest but also the warmest Italian lake. Indeed, mountain barriers to the east, west, and north protect it from the harsher continental climate, while its proximity to the Adriatic Sea and the amphitheater of morainic hills enhance its mitigating influence. Thus, the mild climate and the welcoming hospitality of accommodations promote a winter stay that, even this year and increasingly, features cultural, enogastronomic, and sporting events for a lengthy three-month festival, from mid-November to February, under the good star of Christmas among the Olives.
Events in Garda and Surroundings
In Garda, the Christmas market, the famous Nativity scene of the Borgo, and the holiday tent with enogastronomic stands (which will feature local products like Bardolino Novello wine, Custoza white wine, extra virgin olive oil, fish, and those from other Italian regions) will animate the beautiful lakeside promenade and Piazza Catullo, also known as “Veneziana”.
Among ongoing cultural events, there is the painting exhibition “Art in Feminine” in the atrium of the Palazzo dei Congressi; the photographic exhibit “Christmas among the Olives” curated by the “Città di Garda” Photographic Circle at the Riviera Bar; and book presentations at the Taverna Caffè Letterario. Lake’s flagship sport, sailing, will be highlighted on December 1 at 9 pm in the Palazzo dei Congressi with the event “Garda Sailors and the Sailing Olympics – Garda Award for Nautical Excellence,” featuring Luca Devoti, silver medalist at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and Olympic athletes of the Italian Sailing Team.
Spectacular sailing regattas will take place from November 12 to February 18, centered around Bardolino, for the XII Winter Championship of Garda. Also notable in this town is the Nativity scene exhibition at the Barchessa Rambaldi (opening December 16), the antique and vintage market along Lungolago Cornicello on December 19, and various concerts, including a gospel event scheduled for January 13 at the S. Nicolo Church at the port.
Among the musical events held in each town, notable are those on December 23 at Brenzone at the S. Giovanni Church (a medley of Christmas carols), and musical evenings at the parish churches of Caprino and Cavaion, which serve as harmonious preludes to the Christmas atmosphere.
Torri hosts an exhibition titled “Recovery of Popular Art,” dedicated to the restoration of some Garda frescoes (at the S. Trinità Church in Piazza Calderini, beginning December 23), while the Olive Festival, with exhibitions, visits to iconic sites, and tastings, will animate the last weekend of January 2001. Regarding nativity scenes, besides those in Bardolino and Garda, there is one set along the river considered the shortest in the world, the Ari! measuring 170 meters at Cassone di Malcesine, where a packed program of performances for all ages runs from December 10 to January 6, the Epiphany festival.
Another nativity scene will warm the wartime heart of the Forte di Rivoli, now converted into a cultural and entertainment venue, while an underwater manger is situated along the seabed near the Ponte San Giovanni in Peschiera del Garda. Here, events gathered under the “Christmas with Snow” showcase include a train running through the town streets and surrounding suburbs, Santa Claus’s house in the park, and an enticing prize contest (cars, trips, mobiles…) with tickets given away as a free gift upon purchase at one of the businesses affiliated with the Aoe (Associazione operatori economici), open daily, including Sundays.
The “Christmas among the Olives” event is organized based on a cooperative agreement between the Azienda di Promozione Turistica “Riviera degli Olivi,” the Regione Veneto, and local municipalities, which sometimes rely on local associations such as Proloco for support.