Lonato Fiera 2024: Culture, Art, Conferences and Saint Anthony Celebration
As tradition has it, Fiera doesn’t just mean an exhibition, but also a series of related events dedicated to culture, art, music, and theater, as well as conferences.
Program of the 43rd edition
The schedule drawn up for the 43rd edition, which will open from January 12 to 14, with a conclusion on January 17, a day always dedicated to the patron Saint Anthony the Abbot, is quite rich with various appointments. Let’s see them.
The events commenced with the Gala presentation evening, held on January 5 at the Teatro Italia of the Oratorio Paolo VI, during which members of the organizing Committee, chaired by the Mayor of the City of Lonato, Morando Perini, introduced the various moments and features of this edition.
During the evening, performances included the Choirs of the Basilica and Arcangelo of Lonato, the town band, and musicians from the Paolo Chimeri Academy of Lonato. The night also provided an opportunity to present the Unique Number, full of information and services on local traditions, history, and culture, curated by the same Mayor.
First days and main events
Friday, January 12, marks the opening day for the exhibition stands, with the Lonato music band starting its itinerant concert inside the fair spaces at 2:00 PM. The same concert will be repeated on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 9:30 AM.
Also on Saturday, the fair events along Corso Garibaldi will begin at 2:00 PM, while at 4:30 PM, in the Celesti Room of the Municipal Palace, the first of three scheduled conferences will be held, titled “Rural dwellings: recovery and enhancement,” with speaker Dr. Marcellina Bertolinelli.
That evening, at Teatro Paolo VI, starting at 9:00 PM, “Cyrano Rock,” a musical performed and produced by the “Compagnia SS. Trinità” of Brescia, will be staged.
Main day and subsequent events
Sunday is the central day of the Fiera, with a conference organized by Coldiretti entitled “Eating healthy is possible: how to recognize quality products,” featuring top provincial officials.
In the afternoon, at 4:00 PM, in the Celesti Room, the presentation of the volume written by the local grappa expert and collector, Marino Da Monti: “Grappa, a tradition not to forget,” will take place.
Following this, and in the exhibition spaces of ANAG, set up in the marquee in Piazza Martiri della Libertà, a guided tasting of Brescia grappas will be offered, dedicated to various protection and promotion consortia.
At 9:00 PM, with the itinerant concert of the Banda Musicale, the official part of the Fiera dedicated to exhibitions will conclude.
On Monday evening, in the Celesti Room, the third and final conference will be held, moderated by the director of Giornale di Brescia, Dr. Gian Battista Lanzani, on the theme “From Tarello to the contemporary age. The evolution of the Lombard agricultural world from 1600 to today.”
Speakers will include Dr. Roberto Berveglieri, Sen. Sandro Fontana, and Hon. Agostino Mantovani.
Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot
Wednesday afternoon, entirely dedicated to the Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot, will feature the traditional and folkloric Animal Blessing, followed by awards for the “chisöi” competitions and window displays.
In the evening, the festivities will conclude joyfully with a chestnut roast, mulled wine, and “music in company.”
