Festivals in Udine

Udine, located in Northern Italy, is a beautiful city full of picturesque architecture and wonderful works of art. Near the Adriatic Sea, Udine is a great place to relax with a glass of wine, enjoy wonderful Italian cooking, and see some of the history of this very important part of the world. Udine is a very active town, with many attractions occurring each year. Jazz and film festivals, carnivals, food and wine festivals, can all be found in this Italian city, making it a trip well worth taking almost any time of the year.

Far East Film Festival

First organized in 1998, the Far East Film Festival is a showcase of some of Asia's most promising up-and-coming films. The 2009 program stretched over 9 days, including films such as Ong Bak 2 , a high-flying martial arts movie from Thailand, and the Chinese If You Are The One , a romantic comedy directed by Feng Xiaogang. Other films come in from Japan, Indonesia, and all over Asia. The Far East Film Festival has an average attendance of over 50,000 people, and films show all over the city. The hub of the action occurs at the Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine, named after the famous artist Giovanni da Udine, which with a capacity of 1230 is the largest theater in the city.

Udine Jazz Festival

Occurring every summer, the Udine Jazz Festival is a great time for the jazz lover to soak up great music in the idyllic setting of northern Italy. Originally a small affair, the jazz festival has blossomed into a world-class gathering, showcasing jazz legends such as Ornette Coleman, the innovative American saxophonist, trumpeter and composer. Other performers in the 2009 festival included Ravi Coltrane, Mistico Mediterraneo, and the FVG Gospel Choir. Performances take place around Udine and in neighboring towns.

Other Festivals

Udine is an active tourist town, and you can find street fairs and activities going on regularly throughout the year. The town throws a traditional European Carnevale every February and is active on most of the major holidays, particularly Easter and Christmas. Wine is also a great attraction, with tours and festivals held in Udine and neighboring towns. The Friuli Venezia Giulia region, which Udine is a part of, is well known as a producer of high quality wine. For the gastronomically inclined, visit Udine in September to catch the Mushroom Festival, a sure-fire culinary sensation.