• Art & Culture
    • Lifestyle

Bergamo Brescia: Italian capital of culture 2023

Culture is the glue that binds us together in diversity, the light breaking through the darkness, a source of solace and healing for the wounds inflicted by the pandemic.

This is the guiding idea behind the decision to shine a spotlight on these two cities of Lombardy, awarding them both with the title of Italian City of Culture 2023. They may be geographically very close to one another, but the two cities have not always been the best of friends. Now, however, they join hands united by a renewed positive outlook and hope for the future. 

Let’s start with Bergamo, Lombardy's provincial capital rich in history, art and a variety of attractions; a perfect weekend getaway destination where you can explore the stunning cityscapes, a testament to centuries of well-preserved beauty. Why not venture into the Città Alta (“Upper Town”) – the beating heart of the city – accessible by the historic funicular railway that connects it to the centre and about which Le Corbusier once remarked: "You can't move a single stone, it would be a crime". Follow with a stroll around the Venetian Walls, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their grandeur and incredible state of preservation. Or otherwise, embark on a journey to discover the history of Italian painting at the Accademia Carrara, home to masterpieces by Italian Renaissance masters such as Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, and Bergamasque portrait artist Moroni. Or even plunge into the contemporary art world in the nearby GAMeC (Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art), housed within a restored 15th-century architectural complex. 

A welcoming and inclusive city known for both its ability to transform raw materials into high-tech goods and its cultural history, Brescia has an equal amount to offer. Nicknamed "the Lioness" by Giosuè Carducci in memory of the revolt against the Austrian army, the city is currently experiencing a renaissance, striking the perfect balance between its industrial calling and its role as a capital of history, art, entertainment and sports. Redeveloped with new green urban spaces and a pedestrianised area, the historic centre is graced by Santa Giulia – City Museum, the Archeological Park of Roman Brixia, the Castle on Cidneo Hill and the Mille Miglia Museum, opened in 2004. A provincial capital that stands to be admired for the spacious Piazza della Vittoria, the foyers of Teatro Grande, the animated nightlife of Contrada del Carmine, and the Renaissance beauty of the porticoes in Piazza Loggia.

Being crowned Capital of Culture 2023 will therefore be an extraordinary opportunity to boost the remarkable heritage of both cities' with new cultural offerings, as well as an opportunity to establish a calendar packed with international events revolving around art, culture and current affairs. The title is destined to arouse curiosity and captivate a large number of visitors who are expected to come to Lombardy this year.

 

BERGAMO-BRESCIA 2023: TWO ENLIGHTENED CITIES 

The theme of Bergamo-Brescia 2023 is The Enlightened City, a starting point upon which to build creative momentum that will extend far beyond this year. Such a title signifies an open, tolerant and open-minded region that views diversity not as a limitation but as an ever-enriching asset and where the best of culture becomes a tool for evolution, change and awakening

Scrupulously selected to allow the two cities to best express their identities while trying to heal the social rift that has come to dominate in recent years, the calendar of events and projects was laid out in a dossier. This important document was the result of participatory planning involving universities and schools, businesses and craft industries, the food and wine sector, the tourism industry and associations, in addition to the Departments of Culture

The "Dossier Bergamo-Brescia Capital of Culture 2023: The Enlightened City" is divided into 4 main fields of action:

●    "Culture as a Cure" - linked to issues arising from the trauma of the pandemic. Culture is considered a way to promote healing in today's particularly fragile society.

●    "The City of Nature" - reflecting on the major challenge facing us this century. It aims to provoke reflection on the not-so-simple relationship between urban and natural spaces in order to make both cities greener and more sustainable.

●    "The City of Hidden Treasures"- a set of projects established to rethink, redesign and reinterpret our relationship with the cultural heritage of both areas. Not only in the historic centres, but also along routes leading away from the cities which have a lot to offer.

●    "The City of Invention" - a series of projects in which companies and representative associations, chambers of commerce and universities – along with arts and cultural institutions – will aim to showcase local innovation in the fields of design and manufacturing. 

“STEP OUT OF YOUR BUBBLE”: THE BERGAMO-BRESCIA 2023 EVENTS PROGRAMME

The slogan “Step out of your bubble” is an invitation to explore new places off the beaten track and outside the digital media echo chamber. The year 2023 in Bergamo and Brescia has plenty of surprises on offer with new museums, new projects and new exhibitions.

Kicking off the celebrations will be the inaugural ceremony for both cities, scheduled for 20, 21 and 22 January 2023, which will be followed by The Festival of Lights in both Brescia and Bergamo, organised by A2A. This will see cities transformed into open-air art galleries, with light shows enhancing some of the most symbolic sites of the Capital of Culture: in Bergamo a pathway between the upper and lower parts of the city, and in Brescia the Castle and the archaeological area. 

Exceptional exhibitions have been on display for visitors since the early months of the year at the GAMeC, the Accademia Carrara and the Museo delle Storie di Bergamo, as well as at Palazzo Martinengo and the Fondazione Brescia Musei: from the works of Cecco del Caravaggio and Giacomo Ceruti to 'transartistic' photography projects. Not to mention the inauguration of the New Museum of the Risorgimento in Brescia Castle.

While historical events will present interrelated special editions – such as the Mille Miglia, the Opera Festival at Teatro Grande and the Donizetti Opera Festival – there will also be plenty of music and theatre events involving both cities. As for music, you can look forward to the International Piano Festival of Brescia and Bergamo and the Jazz City Project. As far as theatre is concerned, the concert season in the main theatres will propose new opera productions by leading composers. 

Beyond the customary venues, Bergamo-Brescia 2023 will also see various cultural events unfold in stations, squares and districts on the outskirts of the city.

On the same topic

Theaters Mantua

Sumptuous rooms and golden stages are the setting for the theatrical seasons of Mantua
  • Art & Culture
Theaters Mantua, experiences in Lombardy

The Fourteen Chapels of the Sacro Monte di Varese

  • Art & Culture
The Fourteen Chapels of the Sacro Monte di Varese

Museums Cremona

The museums, a meeting with the culture and with the history of Cremona
  • Art & Culture
Museums Cremona, discovering Lombardy

Immerse yourself online in art in Lombardy

Visit online the architectural beauties, cities, monuments, museums, exhibitions and places of culture in Lombardy
  • Art & Culture
Immerse yourself online in art in Lombardy

Brescia in a weekend

From the Roman Brixia to the Opera Festival. Discover Brescia in 48 hours. A journey through time, between culture, passion and nightlife
  • Art & Culture
Brescia in a weekend

Bergamo Brescia: Italian capital of culture 2023

Discover the schedule of events, new museums, projects and exhibitions that promise to take you off the beaten track.
  • Art & Culture
Bergamo Brescia: Italian capital of culture 2023 - Teatro Grande Brescia - inLombardia

Legend of the Seven Brothers

An evocative tale of eight brothers, linked to each other, who lived in the Lecco area
  • Art & Culture
Traditions of Lecco: Legend of the Seven Brothers

School trips

Cremona is the ideal destination for your school trip
  • Art & Culture
School trips

Theaters Pavia

Opera, prose, dance and theatrical review .... the theater in Pavia and the province is staged
  • Art & Culture
Theaters Pavia, cultural vacations in Lombardy

Visits to the violin-making workshops

An unique and unforgettable experience
  • Art & Culture
Visits to the violin-making workshops

Insider Mantua

  • Art & Culture
Insider Mantua

Museums Bergamo

Bergamo is a city that wants to be discovered: rich in art and culture counts among its excellences important museums
  • Art & Culture
Museums Bergamo, field guide in Lombardy

Alessandro Manzoni Itinerary

Lombardy blends nature and culture in an itinerary that will take you to the locations of his famous novel The Betrothed
  • Art & Culture
Alessandro Manzoni Itinerary

The historic houses of Bergamo

Gardens, art, culture and beauty: the historic homes of the noble families of Bergamo are well worth a visit.
  • Art & Culture
The historic houses of Bergamo

A Day in Pavia

When organizing your trip to Lombardy do not forget to visit Pavia
  • Art & Culture
A Day in Pavia

Monuments Mantua

The Gonzagas have made Mantua a jewel of the Italian Renaissance visible in its palaces, monuments, churches, culture and traditions
  • Art & Culture
Monuments Mantua, ideas for visiting

Milan, a novel city

Discovering the writers of the past, between the places and the atmospheres of Milan that have inspired great masterpieces of literature
  • Art & Culture
Milan, a novel city

Cremona, le Botteghe di liuteria

Maestri del legno e del violino. Botteghe storiche e collezioni. La liuteria a Cremona è patrimonio culturale immateriale Unesco dal 2012
  • Art & Culture
Cremona, le Botteghe di liuteria

The Winter Songs

The legend of the coldest days in the year
  • Art & Culture
The Winter Songs

Cult City #inLombardia

11 Cities of Art just waiting to be discovered, one after the other, which look to the future while proudly preserving stunning heritage.
  • Art & Culture
Cult City #inLombardia