May 2010 Newsletter
Umbria Jazz
Each July, Perugia becomes the place to be for music lovers. Attracting thousands of spectators from across the globe and over 500 performers each year, the festival is one of the most important musical meetings in Europe. Famous names including Miles Davis, BB King and Elton John have all performed at the open-air concerts and this year will not be a disappointment. Mark Knopfler is the headline act, performing on 12 July, the line-up also includes jazz saxophonist, Sonny Rollins, guitarist, Pat Metheny and pianist Chick Corea.
The event lasts for just over a week and when acts are not on stage, you can still feel the vibes throughout the city with jazz, blues, rock and RnB pouring from every café, restaurant and shop. For these few days, the city is transformed, the pasticcerie (bakeries) make musically-themed cakes and biscuits, museums are filled with photos and paintings of jazz musicians and the artists walk the streets with their instruments strapped to their backs.
Green Heart Italy will be putting together some special packages for any music lovers to sample this magical festival in the heart of Umbria. Tickets go on sale now and are snapped up quickly, so if you are interested, please let us know as soon as you can!
Sagre – the taste of local Umbria
Throughout the summer months, Umbria is alive with sagre that is local festivals involving food, music and, of course, wine! Traditionally celebrations of the bounties that nature provides, these festivals are a real taste of the rural way of life. You will see the colourful posters all over the region advertising perhaps sagra del gelato (ice cream festival) or sagra degli asparagi di bosco (wild asparagus festival!).
These get togethers are the true spirit of Italy, toddlers, grandmas and young couples all celebrate together as a community and there is always a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. It also typifies the attitude of Italians towards nature and food with fresh ingredients often hand-picked from the local forests, freshly cooked in the marquees during the evening and at prices affordable for all.
Wild Asparagus
From early March, wild asparagus is an important part of the Italian diet – hence the sagra degli asparagi di bosco, literally ‘asparagus from the woods’. Like mushrooms, people like to pick asparagus from the local forests – a great source of essential vitamins for free on your doorstep, plus you get some exercise to boot!
Okay, so they’re not the most attractive vegetable in the world, but their uses are almost limitless: risotto with wild asparagus, bruschette with asparagus puree, asparagus frittata (omelette), asparagus lasagne…