(Sixth Power) – Piacenza – 25 April – Plants and flowers, obviously, but Floravilla is much more. First of all, a great showcase for everything good that comes from our territories.
The eleventh edition is scheduled for 27 and 28 April, again in the splendid setting of Villa Braghieri, in Castel San Giovanni (Piacenza), organized by the Pro Loco with the patronage of the Municipality and the Province. The two-day formula has therefore been confirmed to allow everyone to participate in this which has now become one of the most anticipated events in our province, capable of attracting visitors from outside as well.
Like every year, gardeners from various regions of Italy will be present for a very rich choice of flowers and garden plants. Among the over 50 exhibitors there will also be traders from Castel San Giovanni and the wineries of Val Tidone who will offer their own excellences. And voluntary associations will also be present with real works of craftsmanship, not to mention the culinary commitment of the Pro Loco which this year will offer unique, exclusive and original dishes, designed specifically for the occasion, halfway between tradition and gourmet. In short, flowers and plants will certainly be the protagonists, but Floravilla is now an event tout courta concept that the organizers of the Castellana Pro Loco also wanted to express on the poster: “Floravilla – Market exhibition, flowers and plants, well-being, craftsmanship and good food”.
In addition to the exhibition stands, numerous educational and practical activities will also be organized this year. Just to name a few. The entomologist Massimo Riboni will talk about the importance of butterflies for our ecosystem, while Cesare Bollani will illustrate the various uses of lavender also in the cosmetic and gastronomic fields.
The “Pe’d fer” association will organize a practical demonstration regarding the processing of willow, Dr. Marco Francolini, from the Marcora Institute, will present Val Tidone olive oil to visitors together with professor Silvia Barbieri. Doctor Samanta Mazzocchi will present her book “The Belly. His emotions and other stories”, while Achille Menzani will illustrate his “Piacentine Walks”, real guides to discover our province. The complete program on the official website of the event.
Moving on to culture, FAI staff will organize guided tours of Villa Braghieri, while Raineri Marcora students will accompany those who want to discover the ethnographic museum. Also inside Villa Braghieri you can admire the exhibition dedicated to the artist Jo Nani which will be inaugurated on April 24th. Furthermore, wandering around the stands, visitors will be able to admire the park in all its renewed splendor since the maintenance and sowing works have been completed: in this regard, the council has chosen to graft plants and flowers while remaining faithful to what was the botany of the time, thus providing an insight into the era.
When we talk about craftsmanship we are also talking about art. And this year, visitors will have the opportunity to be enveloped by the evocative installations of the graphic designer Fabrizio Sclavi, who wanted to embellish the park of Villa Braghieri with works of his own production, scattered among the trees to make the experience even more immersive. Floravilla experience. But in the kaleidoscope of the event, art goes hand in hand with social issues. “L’Isola che non c’è” and “Centro Emma Serena”, managed by the Coopselios cooperative, will exhibit the so-called “latte”, works handmade by the children of the two associations and which in the parts of Castel San Giovanni have already become a fashion (displayed in many shop windows of the city). The volunteers of the “Opera in fiore” cooperative, however, will display the colorful bags handmade by the inmates of the Opera prison, involved in a tailoring training project from which a brand was born whose name says it all: “Borseggi” .
Between one stand and another, the Pro Loco will dedicate itself to the food and wine aspect, offering dishes truly waiting to be discovered. And discovering them will be simple, since this year there will be three stands.
For the little ones there is room for fun in the Florabimbi area, with workshops, entertainment and lots of “old-fashioned” games. Entrance is priced at 5 euros and one ticket is valid for both days.
He was present at the Floravilla press conference, held at Villa Braghieri Sergio Bertaccinipresident of the Pro Loco, Lucia Fontanamayor of Castel San Giovanni, Wendalina CesarioCouncilor for Commerce and Territorial Marketing, e Angelo Lafacerecently elected provincial president of Unpli (Italian National Pro Loco Union).
“Floravilla’s offering has never been limited to flowers and plants, it has always embraced craftsmanship and gastronomy. But we never put it down in black and white. This year we wanted to do it, we wanted it to also be read on the posters because it is right to enhance the diversity of interests and passions that Floravilla has to offer”, said Bertaccini. Then thanks to the municipal administration which “has always supported us in all these years”.
“Of these eleven editions, ten had me as mayor,” said Fontana, “for me Floravilla represented the fulfillment of a dream. I remember when I used to visit flower shows around northern Italy and I thought it would be nice to have one in Castel San Giovanni: it was the realization of a dream for which I thank our extraordinary Pro Loco”.
A lot of emotion for Cesario too: “I want to thank the Pro Loco. All this work is carried out by volunteers and it is not easy to find so many people who choose to spend their free time benefiting their community. In recent years we have also worked in synergy to leave a testimony to the citizens: Floravilla, like Cioccolandia, is now a real brand”.
Floravilla can count on the patronage of the Municipality of Castel San Giovanni, the Province of Piacenza, the FAI and Emilia, with the collaboration of Engineering 2k SpA and BCC Emilbanca.
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