The “Giardini Estensi” event reaches its 19th edition, scheduled for Saturday 4 May (9.30am-7.30pm) and Sunday 5 May (9.00am-7.30pm) in Parco Massari, enriched and brought forward this year from a lectio magistralis by the botanist and essayist Stefano Mancuso (scheduled for Friday 3 May at 5.30 pm in the Sala Estense) scheduled at the opening of the event.
Around eighty exhibitors will bring to Ferrara a variety of horticultural excellence, typical of the season, the result of collaboration with dozens of agricultural companies from various parts of Italy, with themed craft stands that will act as a backdrop, with artefacts of quality, 7 themed meetings, 11 free workshops.
In addition to the location of Parco Massari, already a precious container of numerous tree species, this edition’s event involves other city spaces: the Estense hall for the intervention of the arboriculture specialist (3 May), the Gardens of Palazzo Schifanoia (guided tour 4 May) and the extraordinary opening of the Botanical Garden (4 and 5 May).
The initiative was presented on Monday 29 April in the Zanotti room of the municipal residence of Ferrara. The meeting with journalists was attended by the municipal councilor for Productive Activities, Fairs and Markets; the municipal councilor for the environment; the president of the Pro Art association Paolo Orsatti with Giuliana Artioli of the association’s board of directors.
PROGRAM by the organizers
Like every spring, “Giardini Estensi” returns for the 19th edition, the traditional appointment with quality floriculture. Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May at the Massari Park event followed by thousands of Ferrarese passionate about nature and biodiversity. “Giardini Estensi” presents itself with important national news, first of all the Lectio Magistralis by Stefano Mancuso which will be held on Friday 3 May at the Sala Estense at 5.30pm with free admission. Another important presence will be that of Maria Rita Stirpe, recognized nationally as the most important botanical illustrator. For the occasion, the new Giardini Estensi mascot created by graphic designer Claudio Gualandi will be presented.
There will also be the traditional market exhibition, dedicated to rare and unusual high-end plants resulting from careful selection, with real high-end producers. There will be gardening equipment, quality craftsmanship and care for green spaces, all bringing exclusive products. Throughout the weekend various workshops for adults and children dedicated to craftsmanship and plant cultivation will be in operation. A rich booklet of collateral events will accompany the event.
Outside Massari Park
– Friday 3 May – 5.30 pm – Sala Estense Theatre, Piazza Municipale: “The tribe of trees”, lectio magistralis by Stefano Mancuso (free admission)
– Saturday 4 May at 10.00 am – Garden of Palazzo Schifanoia, Via Scandiana n.23: “Guided tour to discover the blooms of the Garden of Palazzo Schifanoia”, with the garden designer Manfredi Patitucci (free entry, meeting on site)
– Saturday 4 May and Sunday 5 May – 10am/1pm – 3pm/7pm – Botanical Garden, C.so PortaMare n. 2b: “Extraordinary opening of the Botanical Garden” (free entry)
Massari Park
– Saturday 4 May – 10.30 am – Meeting Space: “Entomology, what a passion!” edited by Carlo Arrigo Casadio, a journey to discover insects and plants, a fragile and complex balance in continuous evolution, a vital link for the protection of biodiversity.
– Saturday 4 May – 12pm – Meeting Space: “The dream of vegetable gardens being gardens” – curated by Paola Roncarati, President of the Ferrara Garden Club Licia Vignotto, Co-Founder at Ilturco – Among the values of the landscape – in a necessarily vision updated concept – it is also possible to include a new emphasis on the ‘countryside coming to the city’.
– Saturday 4 May – 3pm – Meeting Space: “Microorganisms, good allies of nature”, curated by Roberto Solimè – Use in environments, in agriculture, on livestock farms.
– Saturday 4 May – 5.30 pm – Meeting Space: “Birdgarden, the natural garden and its guests” by Angela Zaffignani – Mattioli edizioni – The value of spontaneous vegetation for an eco-sustainable garden.
– Sunday 5 May – 10.30 am – Meeting Space, “Essential oils: the essences of nature”, curated by Stefania Liccardi.
– Sunday 5 May – 3pm – Spazio Incontri: “Gardens at the Cinema, landscapes of women, men and nature told in 51 films, by Giovanna Mattioli – Pendragon editions.
– Sunday 5 May – 4.30 pm – Meeting Space: “Biodiversity in the Family Orchard”, curated by Carlo Pagani.
Meetings, Workshops, Laboratories
– Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th, Meetings with the artist – Maria Rita Stirpe Space. The artist will meet botanical watercolor enthusiasts to illustrate the characteristics and technical aspects of this pictorial genre.
Saturday 4 May, 11.30am/12.30pm and from 4.30pm/5.30pm
Sunday 5 May, 11.30/12.30 am and from 4.00/5.00 pm.
– Saturday 4 May 10/12 – Elena Muscardini space Contemporary crochet workshop.
– Saturday 4 May and Sunday 5 May – Spazio Benvenuto Fecchio. Demonstration of making terracotta ocarinas and whistles.
– Saturday 4 May and Sunday 5 May – Enrico Usan Space, demonstration of copper processing: signs, weather vanes, objects.
– Saturday 4 May and Sunday 5 May – Spazio Ferrara Progea aps. – Gardening workshops for children. Exchange of seeds and plants.
– Saturday 4 May and Sunday 5 May – Intrecci & Nature Space. Overview of basket making from traditions to new perspectives with the Italian basket makers and basket makers group. Weaving workshops with plant and natural materials for adults and children.
– Saturday 4 May and Sunday 5 May – Steiner Association Space aps. – Carded wool, spun wool, carpentry, watercolor workshops.
– Saturday 4 May – 5.00 pm – Park Center Persian dance show with the dancers Samareh Kian, Ainur Rajaipur, Orjetta Allusshi and Giulia Lucania.
– Sunday 5 May – from 3.00 pm – Flying Star Space – Traveling Games Puzzle game islands with wooden games and painting workshop, entertainment dedicated to children and more.
– Sunday 5 May – 4.30 pm – Testaperaria Library Space: “Treasures in a Jar” animated reading and workshop, curated by Roberto Agnelli.
