Bertinoro celebrates 100 years of the Hospitality Feast—an important anniversary that will span the entire summer and culminate in the first weekend of September with the Hospitality Festival, the foremost expression of identity for the Bertinoro community.
In Bertinoro, hospitality has always been part of every resident’s DNA. It was so in the Middle Ages, when noble families competed for the honour of welcoming travellers arriving on the hill into their homes. It has been so for the past century, since 6 September 1926, when the new Column of the Rings was inaugurated and the medieval hospitality ritual was revived.
The symbol and heart of Bertinoro’s vocation for welcoming others is the Column of Hospitality, also known as the “Column of the Rings”. Twelve identical rings. None more important than the others. In this way, a traveller arriving on the hill would tie their horse to one of the rings and be welcomed by the corresponding family.
The centenary programme therefore weaves together memory and contemporary life, tradition and new artistic languages. Theatre, music, poetry, dance, philosophy and civic reflection come together in a wide-ranging, multidisciplinary cultural programme, made possible through the involvement of associations, institutions, artists and residents.
For one hundred years, the Hospitality Festival has renewed a simple yet powerful gesture: welcoming others. A way of being in the world.
On the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Italian Republic and women’s right to vote
Hospitality Always!
With the support of the Emilia-Romagna Region
Wednesday, 2 September
Town Hall | 4:30 pm
Special Town Council meeting for the posthumous award of honorary citizenship to Professor Paolo Amaducci. Lectio magistralis by Professor Roberto Balzani.
Town Hall | 6:00 pm
Opening of the exhibition CASTLES OF ROMAGNA
Display of 12 hand-printed and hand-painted tapestries by the historic STAMPERIA PASCUCCI workshop, established in 1826, featuring drawings by Vittorio Belli based on works by Giordano Severi.
Piazza della Libertà | 9:00 pm
Collincanto – prize singing competition. The jury will include a prominent national guest from the Italian music production and recording industry. Prizes will include the “Best Stage Presence” award, dedicated to Nico.
Thursday, 3 September
San Silvestro Church | 5:00 pm
Tribute to Spaldo – awards ceremony for the 25th Dialect Poetry Competition, organised by the Accademia dei Benigni. Introduced by the children of Le città della Musica choir, directed by Marina Maroncelli.
Piazza della Libertà | 9:00 pm
Iza&Sara Quartet
Elisa Iza Babini and Sara Valgimigli (vocals), Davide Dave Marani (guitar), Daniele Monti (drums).
Rocca Gardens | from 9:30 pm
Poveri Cristi: a work written and performed by Ascanio Celestini, combining storytelling theatre and music with Gianluca Casadei on accordion. Opening performance of the Come Acqua Festival. Ticketed admission.
Friday, 4 September
Piazza della Libertà
As part of Nights of Wine, the Municipality of Bertinoro presents the HARVEST DINNER, with the support of the Region pursuant to Regional Law no. 3 of 31 March 2025, Article 19, and in collaboration with the Consortium for the Promotion and Protection of Piadina Romagnola and the Romagna Wine Consortium.
6:00 pm – Opening of information areas dedicated to the evening’s featured PGI and PDO products:
Piadina Romagnola PGI – Romagna Sangiovese DOC and Romagna Albana DOCG.
8:30 pm – Harvest Dinner
Prepared by Bertinoro associations, using typical regulated- and certified-quality products from local businesses, in collaboration with AIS Romagna sommeliers.
10:00 pm – Live music with TOTAL PEPPERS
Dario Tontini (vocals, accordion and DJ), Matteo Bigazzi (vocals), Marco De Laurentis (guitar).
Saturday, 5 September
San Silvestro Church Hall | 4:00 pm
11th Giovanni Gatti Award
The award will be presented in memory of Senator ALDO SPALLICCI, on the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Italian Republic. Followed by:
Zia Mariuccia: a performance written and performed by Simone Toni
with the support of the Emilia-Romagna Region pursuant to Regional Law 3/2016 for the project 80 Years D – Past, Present and Future of Women Who Vote.
Jacopo da Bertinoro Terrace | 6:30 pm
The Embrace
Unveiling of the mural created by artist Marcello Di Camillo.
Piazza della Libertà | 7:30 pm
Rock E45 in concert
Rock band made up of students from the Bertinoro and Kaufungen music schools, coordinated by teachers Uli Grosse, Massimiliano Biondi and Marco Gelli.
Rocca Gardens | from 9:30 pm
Concert by Nicolò Fabi
Organised in co-design with the Entroterre Foundation. Ticketed admission.
Piazza della Libertà | from 10:00 pm
Live music with the ElectroAcoustic Duo
Claudia Macori (vocals and guitar), Antonio Bianchi (percussion).
Sunday, 6 September
Co-Cathedral of Saint Catherine | 9:00 am
Holy Mass celebrated by Don Mauro Petrini, Parish Priest of Bertinoro Co-Cathedral.
Piazza Garibaldi | 10:00 am
Historical procession led by the flag-wavers of the “Brunoro II” historical group.
Largo Cairoli | 10:30 am
Award ceremony for the Vignaiuolo Nuovo.
Piazza della Libertà | 11:00 am
Historical re-enactment of the Hospitality Ritual
Guests are summoned to the Column.
Piazza della Libertà | from 5:00 pm
Entertainment and interactive educational workshop for children.
Piazza della Libertà | 9:30 pm
Matilde in concert.
Piazza della Libertà | 11:00 pm
Grand finale with fireworks.
FOOD STALLS
Romagna cuisine provided by Bertinoro volunteer associations. From Friday, the friends of Kaufungen will also run a food stall. On Saturday, there will also be a food area featuring products from Villefranche-sur-Saône.
FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE
From 7:30 pm to 12:30 am, departing from the Via Badia and Allende car parks. On Sunday, from 3:30 pm to 12:30 am, departing from the Via Badia and Allende car parks.
