Events in Cento
Visit Cento at any time of year to enjoy the many cultural and recreational events held in the area.
Il Rogo delle Befane e dei Befanoni The Witches' Bonfire(January 5-6 and 16-17)
Bonfires are lit in the piazzas of Cento and the surrounding villages and giant witches and warlocks (Vciòn) are burnt before the delighted eyes of the children, as they enjoy biscuits and traditional local sweets.
Crafts market (third Saturday of every month)
Held in the evocative setting of Piazza Guercino.
CENTO EUROPEAN CARNIVAL (5 Sundays from January to March)
In 1615 the painter Guercino immortalised the carnival celebrations held in the piazza in Cento in a fresco in the Pannini home.
Almost four centuries later, the people of Cento still celebrate their carnival for five Sundays in a row of music and dancing.
Six carnival societies vie for first place in a parade of enormous papier-mâché floats up to 20 metres high, while wild groups of figures in costume accompany the parade, pouring gifts and prizes onto the public from the top of the floats. In addition to the Sunday parades, the city comes alive every day during carnival, with artistic itineraries, wine and food tastings, games, dramatic performances, concerts, arts and crafts workshops and exhibitions, in a truly unique celebration.
Patron Saint's Festival (February 3)
The people of Cento celebrate the day of Saint Blaise or San Biagio, protec-tor of wool carders and "helpful" saint invoked to protect the throat. Religious celebrations and the ritual of the blessed cord are accompanied by a fair of local foods and crafts.
Musica Coelesis (April to May)
A concert series held in one of Cento's most beautiful churches, with the participation of famous soloists and internationally renowned chamber music ensembles.
Culture Week (May) A whole week dedicated to the discovery of Cento's artistic heritage: guided tours of palaces and archives which are normally closed to the public, thematic itineraries, debates and conferences, presentation of new studies and discoveries.
IL PALIO DI CENTO (MEDIEVAL RE-ENACTMENT) (May-June)
June 8, 1443, the eve of Pentecost: the battle rages on the ramparts of the Fortress. Just as the Cento army is about to surrender in the heroic battle to defend its lands against the iscount's troops led by Luigi Dal Verne, Michael the Archangel appears, reviving the
courage of the fighters for Cento and leading them to victory. The Palio of Cento goes on for an entire weekend in memory of this miraculous event. The evocative re-enactment includes historical games, street performers, displays of arms, costumed parades, traditional dances, narration of historical events and a traditional reenactment of the armed assault on the Fortress.
Sogni d'Estate Summerdreams (June and July)
A series of open-air performances is held in Cento's historical courtyards and piazzas.
August holidays in the land of Guercino (August)
A cycling tour with stops to try local food and wines in traditional restaurants.
SETTEMBRE CENTESE (September)
A month of culture, sports, folklore and shows. At the heart of it all, the historical Fair that the people of Cento have held in connection with the celebrations of Mary on September 8 for more than 400 years. The Fair now lasts five days and is above all a presentation of the area's typical produce, cuisine and crafts. It closes with a magnificent night of fireworks.
Lungo le Strade dell'Alto Ferrarese Along the roads of the upper Ferrara countryside (September)
A historical and artistic itinerary for discovery of Cento and the surrounding area, culminating in an international exhibition and exchange of collectors' sugar packets. Italian flag-throwing choreography championships (second Sunday in October) Italy's most important historical flag-throwers come together for competitions of great choreographic complexity, throwing their flags and forming figures and combinations in synchrony with the rhythmic accompaniment of the drums.
Theatre season (October to May)
A packed calendar of events of various different genres: Cabaret, Prose, Operetta, Musical, Dance and Ballet, Opera and Symphony, Theatre in Dialect, Shows for children. Every Saturday afternoon, "Momenti Musicali": free concerts in the Theatre Foyer.
Arte e Bacco Art and Bacchus (November)
A series of interesting visits to artists' studios and wine-tastings, scheduled to coincide with the opening of the new wine.
"Far salotto in Galleria" art appreciation sessions (December to May)
Evenings of art and ideas in the Modern Art Gallery. Key figures on Cento's cultural scene offer their highly personal reading of a work and a theme, involving the public in an exercise in interpretation.
Cassa di Risparmio di Cento Foundation International Children's Literature Award (December)
A competition for writers and illustrators combined with a series of encounters aimed at encouraging children to read.
Christmas in Cento (December)
A month of shows for children, Christmas crafts markets, concerts and Christmas music, and an important exhibition of artistic and mechanical Christmas crèches (Biennale dei Presepi).