A few weeks after hosting the prestigious Premio Terzani, Udine will again be at the epicentre of culture in Friuli Venezia Giulia and Italy for a few days.

From 29 June to 1 July, the Friulian capital will be the venue for the third edition of Conoscenza in Festa (A Festival of Knowledge), organised by the University of Udine in collaboration with other institutions. The festival will be an opportunity to explore the themes of culture in consumer society and the great economic and social transformations.

The guidelines of the event will revolve around the UNESCO Education for All declaration, a document that encourages all countries around the world to engage in policies that promote culture for all. For some years now there has been a strong link between UNESCO and Friuli Venezia Giulia, as there are four World Heritage Sites in our region: Aquileia, Cividale del Friuli for the Longobards, the Friulian Dolomites and finally Palù di Livenza for its prehistoric site, one of the most important in the Alpine range.

But let’s get back to Udine and the Festival of Knowledge.

The event will be divided into several sections open to all, and will take place in some of the city’s symbolic locations, the ones that once seen will remain forever in the heart.

The splendid Piazza Matteotti, formerly the heart of trade and home to the vegetable and courtyard animals market, will host both the opening concert of the festival and the “l’Arena del Sapere”.

One of the symbolic buildings of the city, the Loggia del Lionello, will be the venue for the “Loggia dell’innovazione", a place for sharing the world of science and business realities.

Right in front of the Loggia del Lionello there is a steep paved road  that passes the Arco Bollani and leads to the Castle, today the seat of the town’s museums. From the space in front of the ancient residence you can admire a splendid 360-degree panorama of the city. Above the roofs stand the bell tower of the cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata, the copper dome of the Tempio Ossario and some lofts hosting artists’ studios.

Udine is a city on a human scale. Welcoming and warm, it lends itself to slow and sustainable tourism. It is to be tasted at small doses, strolling through the narrow cobbled alleys of the old town, admiring the façades of the palaces, lingering in front of shop windows and craft workshops, visiting art galleries, sipping a glass of wine in one of the typical inns.

It is in this family context that the “Botteghe del Sapere” will be set up. For the occasion, twenty-two shops will become special listening and learning locations, where university lecturers will share their experiences with citizens regarding their innovative research and teaching.

Udine awaits you and is ready to seduce you with its charm!

Some useful information:

Conoscenza in festa 2017 http://www.conoscenzainfesta.eu/

Università degli Studi di Udine https://www.uniud.it/

UDINebike is the public bicycle service (bike sharing) for those moving around town. Rental bikes are located in the city's strategic points, and can be easily combined with the use of a car left in a car park, of a bus or train.