The 73rd Venice International Film Festival just wrapped up in the floating city. The event was held at Venice Lido, from August 31 until September 10, 2016. Organized by La Biennale di Venezia and directed by Alberto Barbera, the aim of the festival was to raise awareness and promote international cinema in all its forms: as art, entertainment, and industry; in a spirit of open dialogue and freedom.

Buona festa!

For all you fashion lovers out there, the Italian Concierge brings you a report on the recent Fashion Week in Milan, Italy. Milan Fashion Week, presenting the Spring 2016 collections, took place from Feb 24 to March 2.

With everyone worried about climate change and global warming, officials in Italy are finally doing their part.

La Befana has been associated with gift giving  at Epiphany since at least the 13^th C.   She is represented as an old witch with a broomstick who descends down the chimney to delivery gifts or carbone to the bad children.  All children are known to be bad at some time so they all receive carbone,  which is made of sugar and sold at local pasticcerie.  Some regions substitute onions or garlic in replacement of the coal.