Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK

CINEMA

Covid-19: Cinemas and theatres set to reopen in Italy next month

Cinemas and theatres in Italy's 'yellow' zones could reopen on March 27th, the culture minister announced on Friday.

Published: 27 February 2021 14:07 CET
Covid-19: Cinemas and theatres set to reopen in Italy next month
A general view shows the Teatro alla Scala during The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in 2019 in Milan. Photo: Marco Bertorello/AFP

In a post on Twitter, culture minister Dario Franceschini said the government's technical scientific committee (CTS), which advises on public health measures, had given the green light for the potential reopening of cinemas and theatres at the end of next month.

Franceschini said the reopening would coincide with World Theatre Day, and added that museums in yellow zones would be allowed to open at weekends.

READ ALSO: Three regions turn 'orange' as Italy updates coronavirus zone restrictions

At the moment, museums and archeological sites in Italy can open on weekdays in yellow' zones only. Cinemas and theatres are closed nationwide.

However the final decision on whether the reopenings go ahead will come when Italian prime minister Mario Draghi announces the contents of the nextt emercendy decree, due next week.

READ ALSO: What will change under Italy's next emergency decree in March?

The decree is expected to be approved by March 5th and will stay in place until April 6th, health minister Roberto Speranza said.

The CTS said that reopenings would depend on the contagion curve, and would require restrictions including the mandatory use of masks, distancing, temperature checks and increased sanitation.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

CULTURE

Updated: What is Italy’s Palio di Siena and where can you watch it?

Italy's hotly-anticipated Palio di Siena horse race is back - but what exactly is it and where can you watch it?

Published: 16 August 2024 12:10 CEST
Updated: What is Italy's Palio di Siena and where can you watch it?

The renowned Palio di Siena horse race returns on Saturday, August 17th, with jockeys racing it out in Tuscany’s medieval jewel, Siena.

With origins dating back to 1633, the Palio di Siena is Italy’s most famous historic horse race.

The event is a competition between the neighbourhoods of Siena, called contrade, with each contrada having its own coat of arms and patron saints. There are 17 contrade in Siena, but only 10 compete – this year’s competitors are; Chiocciola, Oca, Istrice, Selva, Lupa, Valdimontone, Onda, Nicchio, Leocorno and Civetta.

It occurs twice a year in Siena’s main square, Piazza del Campo. The first race took place this summer on July 2nd. Each Palio lasts a total of four days; three days of celebrations and the final day being the race itself.

The race consists of three laps of Piazza del Campo. The starting point (the mossa), is made up of two ropes in which the 10 participating horses and jockeys must wait in order. The horse, with or without a jockey, which completes the three laps first wins.

The prize is a large silk-painted canvas, known as the drappellone, which is designed and created every year by a different artist.

Over the centuries, the race has only been cancelled a handful of times, including for World War II and the Covid pandemic. 

In recent years the Palio has been the subject of protest from animal rights groups who state that the horses suffer during the competition. Preliminary investigations into a defamation trial began at the start of June this year, after Walter Caporale, the national president of animal rights group Animalisti Italiani (Italian Animalists) was accused of defining the event’s organisers as “sadistic and uncivilised.” The next hearing is set for February 28th 2025. 

The final race this year was supposed to take place on Friday, 16th August but it was cancelled due to heavy rain.

Watch the Palio di Siena live on television or via streaming on Italian channel LA7 from 4.45pm on Saturday.

Are you tuning in to the Palio di Siena? Let us know what you think about it in the comments below.

SHOW COMMENTS