On the agenda: What's happening in Italy this week
From heavy traffic and a rail strike to a city clean-up in Rome, here’s what you can expect in Italy this week. Monday
Italy’s ‘Little Easter’
In Italy, Easter Monday is officially known as Lunedì dell'Angelo (literally 'Angel Monday') in reference to the angel that, according to Catholic tradition, appeared at Jesus's grave and told the women gathered there that he had risen from the dead.
That said, most people in Italy refer to the day as Pasquetta, literally 'little Easter'.
Unlike Good Friday (or Venerdì Santo), Easter Monday is a national public holiday, meaning you’ll get a day off work for it.
Many Italians like to take a trip out of town with friends on the day (the so-called gita fuori porta) and spend time outdoors.
Heavy traffic expected on Italian roads
According to forecasts from Italy’s State Police, the whole of Easter Monday will be marked by intense, and possibly critical, traffic on Italian roads.
As previously mentioned, many people will take a trip out of town on the day, which is likely to result in heavy congestion on many routes, especially roads connecting big cities to popular seaside or countryside locations.
READ ALSO: TRAFFIC: The busiest times to drive in Italy over Easter weekend
Pasquetta also officially closes the Easter holidays, which means that many of those who spent the long weekend away from home will be making the journey back on Monday afternoon or evening.
This may result in heavy traffic on motorways connecting the south of the country to the north, especially the A1 motorway, which connects Naples to Milan, and the A14, linking Taranto to Bologna.
Italy's motorways rarely see much in the way of heavy traffic but that usually changes around public holidays, including Easter. Photo by Jean-Philippe KSIAZEK / AFPTuesday
Arts festival in Milan
The popular Milano ArtWeek, a week-long celebration of modern and contemporary art, will return to Lombardy’s capital on Tuesday, April 11th.
From special exhibitions to live performances to guest talks, the festival will feature over eighty events this year, giving national and international audiences a chance to discover the best of today’s creative world.
A map of all museums and exhibition venues involved in the festival is available here and the full events programme can be found here.
Thursday
Graffiti festival in Venice
Urbs Scripta, a four-day festival entirely dedicated to Venice’s historical graffiti, will begin on Thursday, April 13th.
The festival will give you a chance to discover first-hand the ancient paintings and writings covering Venice’s walls and explore the stories behind them, which, in some cases, date as far back as the late 1300s.
READ ALSO: SEVEN famous events in Italy you don't want to miss this spring
Planned events include a special visit to the city’s iconic Palazzo Ducale and a guided tour of the Lazzaretto Nuovo island, in the northern part of the lagoon.
All events are free of charge, though some require booking in advance. The full programme is available here.
Friday
Train strike
Staff at Trenitalia, the main train operator in Italy, will take part in a nationwide eight-hour strike on Friday, April 14th, with the walkout scheduled to start at 9am and end at 5pm.
It's not yet known how much disruption the strike will cause on the day – much will depend on the number of staff taking part in the walkout.
READ ALSO: Calendar: The transport strikes to expect in Italy this spring
Trenitalia has said it will provide minimum transport services during the strike.
The demonstration was called by Italian unions in protest against unsatisfactory working conditions at Trenitalia and partner companies.
Waiting for a train in Milan. (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP)Saturday
Cleanup in Rome
For the second year, Rome residents will be invited to take part in the conservation and upkeep of the city on Saturday, April 15th.
The 'Roma Cura Roma' event includes projects ranging from community litter collection to grounds maintenance (pruning, mowing, landscaping, etc.)
Citizens can also set up their own initiatives by filling out the following online form and submitting it by the end of Tuesday, April 11th. All tools needed to carry out the planned work will be provided by AMA, Rome’s waste collection and management company. Further info is available here.
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Monday
Italy’s ‘Little Easter’
In Italy, Easter Monday is officially known as Lunedì dell'Angelo (literally 'Angel Monday') in reference to the angel that, according to Catholic tradition, appeared at Jesus's grave and told the women gathered there that he had risen from the dead.
That said, most people in Italy refer to the day as Pasquetta, literally 'little Easter'.
Unlike Good Friday (or Venerdì Santo), Easter Monday is a national public holiday, meaning you’ll get a day off work for it.
Many Italians like to take a trip out of town with friends on the day (the so-called gita fuori porta) and spend time outdoors.
Heavy traffic expected on Italian roads
According to forecasts from Italy’s State Police, the whole of Easter Monday will be marked by intense, and possibly critical, traffic on Italian roads.
As previously mentioned, many people will take a trip out of town on the day, which is likely to result in heavy congestion on many routes, especially roads connecting big cities to popular seaside or countryside locations.
READ ALSO: TRAFFIC: The busiest times to drive in Italy over Easter weekend
Pasquetta also officially closes the Easter holidays, which means that many of those who spent the long weekend away from home will be making the journey back on Monday afternoon or evening.
This may result in heavy traffic on motorways connecting the south of the country to the north, especially the A1 motorway, which connects Naples to Milan, and the A14, linking Taranto to Bologna.
Tuesday
Arts festival in Milan
The popular Milano ArtWeek, a week-long celebration of modern and contemporary art, will return to Lombardy’s capital on Tuesday, April 11th.
From special exhibitions to live performances to guest talks, the festival will feature over eighty events this year, giving national and international audiences a chance to discover the best of today’s creative world.
A map of all museums and exhibition venues involved in the festival is available here and the full events programme can be found here.
Thursday
Graffiti festival in Venice
Urbs Scripta, a four-day festival entirely dedicated to Venice’s historical graffiti, will begin on Thursday, April 13th.
The festival will give you a chance to discover first-hand the ancient paintings and writings covering Venice’s walls and explore the stories behind them, which, in some cases, date as far back as the late 1300s.
READ ALSO: SEVEN famous events in Italy you don't want to miss this spring
Planned events include a special visit to the city’s iconic Palazzo Ducale and a guided tour of the Lazzaretto Nuovo island, in the northern part of the lagoon.
All events are free of charge, though some require booking in advance. The full programme is available here.
Friday
Train strike
Staff at Trenitalia, the main train operator in Italy, will take part in a nationwide eight-hour strike on Friday, April 14th, with the walkout scheduled to start at 9am and end at 5pm.
It's not yet known how much disruption the strike will cause on the day – much will depend on the number of staff taking part in the walkout.
READ ALSO: Calendar: The transport strikes to expect in Italy this spring
Trenitalia has said it will provide minimum transport services during the strike.
The demonstration was called by Italian unions in protest against unsatisfactory working conditions at Trenitalia and partner companies.
Saturday
Cleanup in Rome
For the second year, Rome residents will be invited to take part in the conservation and upkeep of the city on Saturday, April 15th.
The 'Roma Cura Roma' event includes projects ranging from community litter collection to grounds maintenance (pruning, mowing, landscaping, etc.)
Citizens can also set up their own initiatives by filling out the following online form and submitting it by the end of Tuesday, April 11th. All tools needed to carry out the planned work will be provided by AMA, Rome’s waste collection and management company. Further info is available here.
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