Atmospheric Italian town travels back 100 years for a festival weekend

European organ grinders perform en masse in stunning Italian castle-town

Festival of mechanical music turns historic centre into an outdoor theatre with music and magical visions taking visitors into a merry festive nineteenth century atmosphere

Nowhere could be better than atmospheric Longiano, a ‘Best Small Italian Town’ to create a unique Belle Époque setting for the 11th edition of the unique International Festival of Mechanical Music.

For one autumn weekend, Longiano was temporarily inhabited by one hundred mechanical music performers from eight European countries – Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, England, Slovenia, Czech Republic, and Switzerland – who, with their ancient and precious instruments, created a party from the past, with music, dances and performances.

The streets were lined with barrel organs, performing their merry tunes, the squares were filled with a non-stop line up of spectacles.

A great market set up in the main square selling all sorts of historic and contemporary mechanical musical instruments from wind-up gramophones, through musical boxes big and small to barrel-organs, hurdy-gurdys and mechanical-music pianos.

Organ and choir performances took place in Longiano’s churches, whilst in the streets and squares, fun-loving locals and visitors dressed the part and waltzed to the cheery music afternoon and night.

An interesting little gem was the performance of "Longiano d’amare", an original song and score for barrel organ that will be played during the festival in collaboration with the 3MontiBand.

And naturally – during the Festival, the Pro Loco of Longiano took over a whole square to present delicious specialties from Romagna, while restaurateurs opened their doors to welcome tourists with the food and wine delights of the area.

Maybe the star of the show, though, as dusk fell, a grand piano played by a clown, began its progress along the town’s main street. In a vision of life imitating art imitating life, as the piano played and continued its journey a beautiful ballerina performed on its lid, dancing to the music. The enchanting performance leaving a romantic memory in the hearts of the audience. Just like a real live, beautiful musical box.

This edition of the unique festival was organized by the municipality of Longiano and the Italian Association of Mechanical Music, and supported by the Senate of the Republic, the Emilia-Romagna Region, EXPO Emilia-Romagna and Italia Pavillion.

Further info: Facebook site

Valere Tjolle

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