Colors of Perugia - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

A growing number of tourists heads to Perugia during every next ethnic fest and national holiday as every local festival is a unique event featuring many original cultural celebrations. The Umbria Jazz Festival is of great interest and pleasure for genuine music fans. The festival is held each year in July. The music fest was first held in 1973 and since that time the grand music show engages more and more renowned singers and famous performers. Among them the festival visitors have enjoyed listening to B. B. King, Chet Baker, Ornette Coleman, Keith Jarrett and Dizzy Gillespie. For many renowned performers and singers the Umbria Jazz Festival has become a launch pad in music and singing career. Even now the festival engages gifted young people to perform their talents within the show.

One of the most waited Perugia holidays among foreign guests is the Eurochocolate Festival. The festival was first held in 1994. The sweet holiday takes place in October. For the last several years the festival has been visited by more than a million of foreign guests. The event engages more than 150 world renowned companies and chocolate producers. The main event of the festival is still a tasting of sweet products of world leading sweets companies.

Central streets of the city of Perugia are equipped with specialized concession stalls which offer dainty chocolate treats not only for tasting but also for sale. Everybody can buy a box of desired sweets as a memorable gift. Many events held within the festival take place in exhibition centers. Candy makers and confectioners present to the attention of festival visitors genuine masterpieces made of chocolate. Many engaging contests and exhibitions are held within the festival to entertain the public. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

One of the most original and remarkable festive events of Perugia is the Fiera dei Morti meaning Fair of Dead. The celebration of the holiday fall in the first week of November. The fest starts with the celebration of the All Hallows’ Day. According to historical records the first event of that kind took place as far back as in the 13th century. The celebration of the All Hallows’ Day attracted merchants and farmers from all over the suburbs of the city. For a week the city witnessed various entertaining shows and fairs in the streets. For the period of the festival peasants were free from work.

The jolly fest was celebrated in the city till the 16th century. The action was followed with folks’ entertainments and performances. Later on the festival turned less significant. It was reborn only in the 19th century. At present a major part of the events of the ethnic holiday takes place at the foot of the Perugian Hill. During the festival the area features numerous attractions for kids, concert stages, circus pavilions and numerous concession stalls.