Port Festival

ISCHIA HARBOR FESTIVAL, ALL PROGRAM INFO: WAIT FOR WATER SHOW

On Monday, September 23, the municipality of Ischia will celebrate the Festa del Porto to mark the 170th anniversary of the opening of what was once the ancient Lago de Bagni. On September 17, 1854, Ischia opened its port thanks to the intuition of King Ferdinand II of Bourbon. Work began in July 1853, and many men from the Bourbon prisons of the Aragonese Castle took part in the construction. The opening of the port represents a crucial moment in the history and economic development of the island. The main evening of the finally formalized program has been set for September 23 instead of September 17 (date of the anniversary) because adverse weather conditions threaten the water level and therefore the practicability especially of the Riva Destra and in general the port of Ischia. In the days leading up to the final celebration, however, the Administration led by Enzo Ferrandino – in collaboration with Ischia Risorsa Mare – has devised a program involving economic activities and associations with the aim of providing Ischitans and the many tourists who choose Ischia in September with an event to be remembered for a long time. The first initiative is that of the Pithecusa Trophy, which began these days and will continue until September 23. The Italian Naval League Section Island of Ischia together with the ‘Association of Nautical Clubs of Campania, the Ethnographic Museum of the Sea and the Cristoforo Mennella Institute, on the occasion of the 170th anniversary of the opening of the Port of Ischia, have organized an exhibition/competition of static modeling. The theme of the exhibition is “Boats and Ships in the History of Southern Italy.” The exhibition is set up at the Sala Antiche terme Comunali of Ischia and is accessible Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The second event is scheduled for Sept. 15 with a regatta dedicated to the anniversary of the Port of Ischia. On Sept. 17, however, the traditional moments of the flag-raising in Piazza Antica Reggia (10:00 a.m.) remain confirmed, followed by the Holy Mass scheduled at 10:30 a.m. at the church of Santa Maria di Portosalvo, which will be followed by the laying of the laurel wreath in the port. Thanks to the fruitful collaboration with local port area venues and local associations, the program also includes tours, experiences and entertainment for tourists and islanders. On Thursday, September 19, the “Musical Urban Walk” will be staged: from the Pagoda to the Royal Palace amid music and storytelling. Meet at the upper gardens of the “Pagoda,” left bank of the Port of Ischia. Free participation. The event is curated by PAN Cultural Association, AIParC Ischia, Circolo LaAV Isola d’Ischia. And again, on Sunday (the eve of the festival), the operators of the Riva Destra will offer appetizers and dishes in the Bourbon theme to the rhythm of popular music.   Finally, we come to the main day, that of Monday, September 23. The Port of Ischia, starting at 6 p.m. will be completely emptied of boats (there will be variations on sea connections to and from the mainland) reviving the atmosphere of that September of 1854. The entrance of King Ferdinand II will be staged with the historical procession among the ancient crafts from the Olympic quay to the Royal Palace and then continue with the King’s walk through the streets of the center. At 8 p.m. in the Piazza Antica Reggia there will be the traditional spaghetti for all present while waiting for the most anticipated moment: the water show “The Poem of the Fourth Element.” The Port of Ischia, at 9:30 p.m., will be transformed into a real stage on which the artists of the “Festi Group,” an event production center established in Italy in 1982, will perform. The company has groups of artists working in different business segments: creation of en plein air shows for cities, realization of large celebratory events, light installations, playful installations. In addition to collaborations with the most famous composers and conductors with whom it has designed and created light sets and events that visually illustrate music, Festi Group represents Italy in foreign countries, with ceremonies dedicated to thousands of spectators, for institutional events that have as their object the relations between Italy and the foreign country. Examples are: the Opening Ceremony in Tokyo for the Italian Year in Japan; the Opening Ceremony in Beijing for the Italian Year in China; the Opening Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro for the “Italy/Brazil Moment”; the central event in Kenya for the collaborative relationship between the Ministry of the Environment and Unesco on the theme of water but also the Shanghai and Milan Expos along with many other cultural and sporting events. The performance will involve the entire port area and will therefore be visible from all shores. At the end of the performance the unfailing pyromusical fires will be set off, bringing the curtain down on what will be an unforgettable edition. At 11 p.m. the port of Ischia will reopen, returning to welcome the many boats that populate it. It is a program full of events and novelties that has been possible to set up thanks to the fruitful collaboration with the operators of the Riva Destra and several associations of the area that should be dutifully thanked for their availability and commitment.   THE PROGRAM September10-23 Pithecusa Trophy1st edition – Static model ship exhibition/competition on the naval history of the Mezzogiorno (Ancient Municipal Baths). Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Sept.15Anniversary Regatta of the Port of Ischia-TheFerdinand II of Bourbon Two SiciliesTrophy  Tuesday, Sept. 17 10 a.m. Flag-raising (Piazza Antica Reggia) 10:30 a.m. Solemn Mass and wreath-laying in the port of Ischia  Thursday, Sept. 19 5:30 p.m. Musical Urban Walk-From the Pagoda to the Royal Palace amid music and storytelling. Meet at the upper gardens of the “Pagoda,” left bank of the Port of Ischia. Free participation.  

Sunday, Sept. 22Waiting forthe festival … on the riva Neapolitan knowledge and flavors at the time of the Bourbons Operators of the Riva Destra will offer appetizers and dishes in the Bourbon theme to the rhythm of popular music  

Monday, Sept. 23 5:00 p.m. Prize-giving of the harbor regatta King Ferdinand II Trophy 6:00 p.m. Closing of the harbor and simulation of the ancient lake 6:15 p.m. Port entrance King Ferdinand II of Bourbon and historical procession among the ancient crafts from the Olympic dock to the Royal Palace 7 p.m:00 Historical walk of King Ferdinand II through the streets of the municipality with the City of Ischia Musical Band 8:00 pm King Ferdinand II’s Spaghettata (Piazza Antica Reggia) 9:30 pm Show on the water “The Poem of the Fourth Element” followed by pyromusical fires 11:00 pm Reopening of the port to its normal activity   IN COLLABORATION WITH Italian Navy, Italian Naval League Island of Ischia, the Ethnographic Museum of the Sea, IIC Cristofaro Mennella, IPS Telese and the Association of Boating Clubs of Campania, Villa dei Bagni Committee, Cultural Association Pro Sant’Alessandro, Associazione Largo dei Naviganti, ANMI Ischia – Attilio Messina Group, PAN Cultural Association, AIParC Ischia, Circolo LaAV Isola d’Ischia, Associazione Il Palmento – Villa Campagnano, Operatori del Porto di Ischia, Banda Musicale Città di Ischia