 Introduction
History and Culture
A natural opening to the sea for many Central European countries, the region is traversed by the major transport routes between the east and west of southern Europe.
Apart from Italian, the Friulian language is spoken throughout the region; there is also a sizeable Slovenian and a small German minority.
Much of the region was ravaged by a series of earthquakes in 1976 in which more than 1,000 people lost their lives, and many valuable works of art and architecture as well as complete villages were destroyed. In many places many houses, streets, castles and palaces have since been rebuilt or restored.
Of the 1.2 million inhabitans of the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia some 520,000 are Friulians (in Italian “Friulani”, in Friulian “Furlani”), the descendants of Rhaetians who were Romanised at an early date. They speak Friulian, a Rhaeto-Romanic dialect. The economy is traditionally based on agriculture (including viticulture), but many Friulians now find employment in other parts of Italy in building or other trades.
Places in the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia
In the mountains the opening up of new skiing areas has made tourism an increasingly important element in the economy of the region. The favorite winter sports resorts are Piancavallo, Forni di Sopra, Ravascletto, Sella Nevea and the area around Tarvisio. In Sella Nevea there is a summer ski-school. On the Adriatic coast there are a great number of popular seaside resorts, including Grado in the province of Gorizia which is the favourite of many tourists, where nearby bird's nesting areas (lagoon) and small fishing islands can be found, and Lignano Sabbiardoro, with a wide beach.
Events
The musical fortunes of Friuli-Venezia Giulia are closely tied to its political fortunes over the course of centuries, all having to do with proximity to the great maritime Republic of Venice as well as to the Austro-Hungarian empire and the vicissitudes of being a heavily contested area during the first World War. Having said that, it is important to note that the vast comings and goings of various ethnic groups through this section of Italy have led to cultural and musical variety and a tolerance for diversity.
The most prominent musical theater in the region was built in 1801 in Trieste and was named the Teatro Giuseppe Verdi in 1901. The ciy is the site of the Giuseppe Tartini music conservatory. It is also the home base for the internationally acclaimed Trieste Trio chamber music ensemble.
Elsewhere in the region, the province of Gorizia has at least five spacious auditoriums and hosts a number of music events during the year, including the international Rudolfo Lipizer violin competition as well as various popular music festivals. The province of Pordenone hosts an international organ festival and competition as well as sponsoring an event dedicated to the Renaissance organ. Various musical associations in Pordenone include:
the Vincenzo Colombo Association for Sacred Music;
the Institute for Music of the Pedemontana;
the Farandola Cultural Association.
An additional music conservatory, named for Jacopo Tomadini, is located in the city of Udine.
Events
San Daniele del Friuli: Prosciutto Festival (last week of August)
Pracchiuso (Udine): St. Valentine's Day (February)
Muggia, Masarolis, Montefosca, Servola, Nimis, Udine, Pordenone: Carnival Pageants (February)
Forni Avoltri: St. Joseph's Eve (March)
Cordovado: Historical Pageant and Parade (1st Sunday in September)
Erto, Ciconicco di Fagagna, Rivignano: Passion Pageants (Good Friday)
Barbana: Historical Boat Parade Through the Lagoon (1st Sunday in July)
Palmanova: Historical Pageant and Parade (2nd Sunday in July)
Zuglio: “Kiss The Cross” Pageant and Procession to the mountainside church of S. Pietro (May)
Fagagna: Historical Donkey Race and Horse Race (1st Sunday in September)
Marano Lagunare: Medieval Procession and Boat Parade (1st Sunday after June and August)
San Zuan: Mac Festival (June)
Cormons: Renaissance Pageant and Parade (1st Sunday in September)
Grape Harvest Festivities (2nd Sunday in September)
Resia: Smarnamissa (August)
Sacile: Osei Hunters' Festival (August)
Spilimbergo: Demonstrations of Local Folklore (July)
Monrupino (and many other towns in the Carsia Valley): Nozze Carsiche Historical 3-Day Wedding Ceremony, culminating in a real wedding followed by a town feast (late August)
Gorizia, San Leonardo: San Rocco Festival, featuring antique bell concert (August)
Pordenone: Virgin Mary's Birthday (September)
Historical Re-enactment of the Turkish Invasion (last Sunday in September)
Costumed Kangaroo Court (February)
Tarcento: Pignarul Giant Bonfire Festival (January)
Cividale: Historical Pageant and Costume Parade (January)
Gemona: Messa del Tallero Medieval Pageant (January)
Medieval Games, Pageant, Parade and Concerts (1st half of August)
Historical Crafts Fair (2nd Sunday in October)
Porcia: Historical Re-enactment of Charlemagne's Arrival in the City, with a costumed parade around the castle and a donkey race (August)
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Friuli Venezia Giulia Travel Guide
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