“Italia in Villa”, a three-day festival entirely dedicated to Italy, transformed the historic Villa Decius in Kraków into a true corner of the Bel Paese in the heart of Poland, from 25 to 27 July. For three days, the villa and its park provided the setting for wine and food masterclasses, culinary workshops, concerts, exhibitions, tastings, Italian language lessons, creative labs, and gala dinners.
The event was organised by the Italian Cultural Institute of Kraków, in collaboration with Willa Decjusza, the Honorary Consulate of Italy in Kraków, and Wine Atelier, under the High Patronage of the Embassy of Italy in Warsaw, and with the participation of the Consortium for the Protection of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG as strategic partner.
“In an era often dominated by hectic rhythms and individual alienation, ‘Italia in Villa’ reminds us of the value of slowness, of an appreciation for beauty, and of conviviality,” noted the Ambassador of Italy, Luca Franchetti Pardo, in his welcome message for the occasion. “The commercial promotion of quality Italian products is thus closely intertwined with cultural promotion, offering a glimpse into the deeper meaning of the Italian lifestyle”.
Reflecting this philosophy, the festival brought together wine tastings, food workshops, and a gala dinner under the stars curated by starred chefs Andrea Camastra (NUTA, Warsaw), Luca Dal Col (Osteria di Collalbrigo, Conegliano), and Marcin Filipkiewicz (Stary Niedźwiedź, Zakopane), alongside the chance to drive two of Italy’s most iconic vehicles – the Piaggio Vespa and a Ferrari – all complemented by three major expressions of Italian art. These included: the opening of the photographic exhibition “Italia Giardino del Mondo: Where Nature meets Art, Craft and Design”, a stunning visual journey celebrating the heritage of classical and contemporary Italian gardens; the inaugural concert “Un Insolito Trio”, featuring piano and two cellos, performed by the talented young musicians Viviana Velardi, Giacomo Furlanetto, and Dylan Baraldi, with works by Barrière, Popper, Piatti, and Menotti; “Rhythm of Life”, a contemporary dance performance by Italian dancer Paola Sannino, choreographed by Mariacira Iacomino; “Bella Regina”, a suite of elegant Renaissance dances in the Italian style, inspired by the original treatises of Fabrizio Caroso and Cesare Negri, dance masters of the 16th century, with costumes reflecting the artistry of their contemporary, Santi Gucci.
“Promoting Italian culture today means showing how our historical heritage can engage with the present, and how tradition serves as a constant source of innovation,” concluded Matteo Ogliari, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute of Kraków, at the opening of the festival. “Italia in Villa is proof that culture doesn’t live only in museums or concert halls, but in our ability to create authentic moments of connection”.
