The sun-drenched region of Puglia has long since been at the top of my bucket list of places to visit in Italy.
From discovering the bucolic charm of the countryside and exploring the region’s many medieval villages and quietly-grand cities, to joining the brass-bands which joyfully parade around town centres during the summer’s food and music festivals – there are a myriad of draws to spending the good part of one’s summer in this region…
Which is why, I was thrilled to hear of a new travelling exhibition in London this weekend (15 & 16 June) which promises an immersive taste of Puglia’s vast cultural and culinary itineraries, before it moves onto three more European cities – Paris, Wien and Müenchen.
The exhibit is free to enter, and offers a wonderful opportunity to sample local food and drinks, as well as to discover local artists (including Iginio Iurilli and Federica Soldani). Rather intriguingly, the exhibition will also be screening a new film by celebrated Italian Director Alessandro Piva, who’s cult film “My Head is Spinning”; “Black Pasta” (2011) won an award at the Venice Film Festival. Pita says of the film:
“It takes a certain effect to bring a film based on the slow path and the inspirational journey all around Europe, but in past centuries the Grand Tour – of which Italy was a fundamental step – was considered an important training course for those who want to consolidate their own intellectual growth.
Today we realise that in a some kind of striking short circuit between the past and the modern we’re launching, so to speak, a rear-wheel drive Grand Tour.”
Short of hopping on the next flight over to Puglia, it looks like I’ll certainly be Walking The Ancient Trails In Southern Italy this weekend in London!
The exhibition will be open to the public from 15th – 16th June: 10am – 5pm daily
Website: https://www.gxgallery.com/exhibitions/96/overview/
Location: GX Gallery – 43 Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8RS (nearest station: Denmark Hill Overland – direct trains from Victoria (9 min), London Blackfriars (11 min), and Clapham Junction (13 min)