A land of famous people Reggio and its territory is the birthplace of many who have distinguished themselves in various fields. To name a few: the poets Ludovico Ariosto and Matteo Maria Boiardo, the scientist Lazzaro Spallanzani, the painter Antonio Allegri known as “Correggio”, musicians and personalities engaged in culture like Romolo Valli, Serge Reggiani, Cesare Zavattini, the Ferruccio Tagliavini, the mezzosoprano Sonia Ganassi, and the flutist Andrea Griminelli, politicians such as Giuseppe Dossetti, one of the fathers of the Italian Constitution, the former president of the European commission Romano Prodi and many others that would be impossible to list here. IN "go to Canossa" The expression “go to Canossa”, used in at least thirty national languages, originated from the historic meeting between Pope Gregorius VII and the excommunicated Emperor Henry IV of Invitation Germany. The encounter took place in 1077 at Canossa, which was the most important castle in Reggio Emilia’s defensive TO reggio network. It was constructed by the powerful Countess Matilda. Her reign extended from Mantua to Lucca and , up to emilia the mouth of the river Po, and also included estates in Lorraine. the city OF The city with aterballetto the "world's finest preschools" Reggio Emilia is known worldwide for “Reggio Children”, the remarkable experience in the education of children started in the 1960s: a network of nursery schools and preschools inspired by the pedagogical thoughts of Loris Malaguzzi and renamed by Americans as “Reggio Approach”. The legendary Don Camillo and Peppone were from Reggio Emilia Brescello, a small village on the banks of the Po River, is famous throughout the world thanks to the movies inspired by the stories of Giovanni Guareschi and his characters Don Camillo and Peppone. Fernandel and Gino Cervi starred in the movies Compagnia Aterballetto and the Fondazione Nazionale della Danza were that were made here in the 1950s and 1960s. The documents established in Reggio Emilia, a welcoming town in . of the time are preserved in the local museum but the entire Founded by the Romans, Reggio Emilia’s past has been marked by great village is a cinematographic itinerary: every year the talking personalities and historical events. The city has always combined civil crucifix, the big bell and the statues of the two characters recall ideals with an intellectual, artistic and industrious liveliness, as well tourists from all over Europe. as good living and the pleasures of good cuisine. It is a delightful city Easy to reach from all directions to visit: it features ancient but newly renovated squares and avenues, Located in the heart of Emilia Romagna, Reggio Emilia is an open-air spaces, museums, art galleries, and public places that can easily important hub between northern and southern Italy and the be reached by foot or bicycle. The network of bicycle lanes is widespread rest of Europe: can be reached in an hour and a half, and leads to parks and natural areas. Reggio Emilia is a university town, Rome in three hours and a half. It is near the airports of Parma, with schools of all kinds, theater companies, music groups, artists, and a and Verona, and to the main international routes. network of libraries with the highest number of loans in Italy. The Adriatic coast, famous for its beaches, is at an hour Medieval re-enactments and festivals dedicated to traditions and local Fondazione Nazionale della Danza and a half’s distance. products are organized in the castles and fortresses throughout its Aterballetto The Apennines and the province. It is also called the “the City of the Tricolor” because on 7 via della Costituzione, 39 January 1797 the adopted a flag that later became banks of the Po River 42124 Reggio Emilia :: Italy can be reached in the Italian national flag. Today the eighteenth century “Sala del Tricolore” 45 minutes. (Tricolor Hall) is still regarded as a symbol of Reggio Emilia and Italy. tel. +39 0522 273011 The high speed railway line passes Reggio Emilia ranks among the top cities for the quality of living. fax +39 0522 924189 by Reggio Emilia. It also offers beautiful natural landscapes: its territory extends from the [email protected] Po River, the longest in Italy, to the mountain tops of the Apennines, which are part of the National Park of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. www.aterballetto.it Many churches and masterpieces Church domes and bell towers stand out in the city’s outline and among the distinctive red and ocher roofs, palaces and arcades. These churches, full of precious artwork, were built throughout the centuries and commissioned by illuminated men.

The Basilica della Ghiara is one of the most interesting examples of Italian baroque and a genuine anthology of seventeenth century Emilian painting. It contains works by Guercino, Ludovico Carracci, Alessandro Tiarini, and Lelio Orsi. A visit to the church and the sight of these newly restored masterpieces will leave anyone speechless. The critique Federico Zeri defined it “the most important example of Emilian Mannerism”. photo :: The cathedral, situated next to the Baptistry, was Dario Lasagni built in the ninth century but underwent various Fotostudio 13 changes over the centuries. It contains important Paola De Pietri sculptures by Prospero Sogari, known as “Clemente”, Bartolomeo Spani, Prospero and Francesco Pacchioni, as well as paintings by Guercino, Palma il Giovane, An internationally renowned theatrical tradition Pomarancio and other renowned artists. A visit to the The province of Reggio Emilia features one of the largest networks of active theaters in Italy. In the seventeenth newly restored crypt, built in the twelfth or thirteenth century, Reggio Emilia was part of the circuit of the great virtuosos of the “bel canto”. In 1801, Beethoven dedicated century, is a stirring experience. The cathedral also to Countess Giulietta Guicciardi, whom he had fallen in love with, the renowned “Moonlight” Piano Sonata. contains a collection of works by contemporary artists There are three major theaters in the city. They all overlook the same square: the Municipal Theater “Romolo Parmiggiani, Nagasawa, Kounellis, Spalletti, and Pompili. Valli”, built in 1857, is the most impressive and one of the most beautiful in Italy; the “Teatro Ariosto”, named after The San Prospero Basilica, among the oldest in the the author of the Orlando Furioso; and the Teatro Cavallerizza “Cesare Zavattini”. The theaters’ programs include city, has an eighteenth century facade which strongly festivals, drama, dance performances, concerts, and international level operas. Luciano Pavarotti’s debut in 1961 contrasts the seventeenth century octagonal bell tower at the Teatro Valli was a memorable event. The Teatro Valli also hosts the International String Quartet competition constructed according to revised drawings by Giulio “Premio Paolo Borciani”, dedicated to the violinist from Reggio Emilia who founded the renowned Quartetto Italiano Romano. The interior contains works of Tiarini, Carracci, in 1945. Procaccini, Talami, and Sogari. Contemporary art and architecture > Reggio Emilia’s dynamism is expressed today by its new skyline. It is dominated by Santiago Calatrava’s project Reggio Emilia - the hometown of good cuisine and includes three stunning bridges. The central one imposingly towers above the “Autostrada del Sole” highway Reggio Emilia is the place of origin of what has been like an arch in the horizon. The High-speed Mediopadana Station, which is still under construction, was also called “the best cheese in the world”, the Parmigiano- designed by Calatrava. It will open in 2013 and will be a sort of “open-air museum”. Reggiano”. The traditional balsamic vinegar is also a > “Invito a” is a contemporary art project that has enriched four public places with works commissioned to must, as well as the “erbazzone”, the “cappelletti” in international artists: Morris, Fabro, Sol Lewitt, and Mattiacci. The latter’s work is close to the headquarters of the broth, the pumpkin filled “tortelli” and all the pork-based Fondazione Nazionale della Danza, the seat of Aterballetto. The foundation is housed in a restored foundry and is products. The sparkling red Lambrusco is the world’s an example of industrial archeology. It has become a vital center of art and culture and is one of the finest dance best selling wine. In recent decades it has developed a studios in Italy. distinctive personality and is highly appreciated. > Reggio Emilia is also the city of Luigi Ghirri, who is considered the most important Italian photographer. “Fotografia Europea”, a festival that has become a reference point for Italian and international photography, takes place in Reggio Emilia every year between the end of April and the beginning of May and includes hundreds of events. Renowned artists as well as emerging young photographers have exhibited their work within the festival. Among the artists that have displayed their work in recent years: Franco Fontana, Ferdinando Scianna and Stanislao Farri, Gabriele Basilico, Michael Kenna, Bettina Rheims, and Emily Allchurch. > The leading company of the prêt-à-porter Max-Mara is now located in a modern building designed by the English architect Andrew Hapgood. Its former and historical headquarters is used today as an exhibition area for the “Maramotti Collection”, a refined and unique selection of contemporary art from America, Europe and Italy including Mario Schifano, Claudio Parmiggiani, Osvaldo Licini, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Hansel Kiefer, Francis Bacon, Jean Micheal Basquiat, Julian Schnabel, and also Arakawa, Boetti, Burri, Fautrier, Manzoni, Mattiacci, and Moore. The collection regularly hosts young international talents. > Palazzo Magnani, the “Officina delle arti” and the new “Spazio Gerra” are also very active. Spazio Gerra was opened in a remarkable building in the city center shortly after its renovation.