09.25.07
The White Night
Many cities in Italy have started a new event called La Notte Bianca, The White Night. Usually held right before school begins, this event attracts tons of people. Stores stay open late. Museums are open, and often have free admission. The street markets are usually set up in the piazzas. Stages are set up for free concerts all over the place. My kids were amazed by a group of breakdancers that had set up a makeshift area to perform in.
We got to enjoy Ancona’s Notte Bianca a while back, and it was just great. I was amazed to see how many people were crowding the streets so late at night. The activities wrapped up around 5 AM the next day, though we were in bed long before that!
It made me think: how many community events are there in the states where so many people attend until the wee hours of the morning? How many people would get the kids ready to leave the house after dinner just to see what’s going on in the center? I think it’s a part of life that’s really missing from American culture.