The warm reception of Qui Italia 2008, an event that overcame the difficulties of being the first of its kind and the bad weather, has prompted organisers to hold a repeat performance.

The goal is to give Italy’s friends the opportunity to meet in a setting that follows the long-established traditions of Italian festivities, which has found wide support and approval.
Qui Italia 2009 will use the format tested in previous years, targeting the public at large with cultural, artistic, musical and culinary events. The location is also the same - the summer stage of the Borissovata Gradina park, a picturesque spot just off the Orlov Most (Eagles’ Bridge) intersection. The timing, however, has been changed to June to allow use of the longer summer days and to follow up on the "month of Italy" that started with the Italian festival, organised by the Sofia office of the Italian  Institute for foreign trade ICE.

In this oasis of Italy, organisers have pledged to recreate the music, colours and aroma of the authentic spirit of Italy.

The programme:

Wednesday, June 17, 8.30pm. Opening ceremony, featuring Antonio Castrignano and the Gruppo popolare dal Salento. The region of Pulia offers an evening of music filled with the folk rhythms of the Salento peninsula, birthplace of the pizzica and tarantella dances, among others. Antonio Castrignano’s music is a paean to the daily struggle, toil, love and disappointment, passions and joy of the countryside as told in the oral tradition.

Thursday, June 18, 8.30pm. Second concert by Antonio Castrignano and the Gruppo popolare dal Salento

Friday, June 19, 8.30pm. Half a century of Italian fashion under moonlight. An evening of retrospection featuring a retro couture show of the biggest Italian fashion icons, screenings and live music with the Larry Franco jazz quartet. The collection of clothes was kindly provided by the Sartirana foundation museum from Pavia.

Saturday, June 20, 5pm. Laura Kibel’s teatro dei piedi .A puppet-based theatre in that the "puppets" are flesh and blood: the leading characters of Laura Kibel’s shows are played by her feet, knees, hands and legs, which she transforms into audience-charming fantastic beings. An indescribable technique that has deservedly enjoyed success throughout the world, a show with no words, but plenty of music and emotion.

Saturday, June 20, 7pm. Concerto for electric bass, by maestros Gaetano Ferrara and Tiziano De Angelis. The virtuoso and original performances include everything: from Bach to jazz, from progressive rock to the acoustic pop of Beatles. All of that with two electric bass guitars and a unique arrangement, proof that music is universal and transcends instruments, eras, genres and geography.

Saturday, June 20, 9pm. Party time – music aplenty.

Sunday, June 21, 4pm. Abracadabra boys theatre show
A performance for the benefit of the orphanage in Totleben, with the support of the non-profit foundation Amici dei Bambini and the Committee of Italian Entrepreneurs in Bulgaria, recognising the work of Italian volunteers to help the helpless.

Sunday, June 21, 6pm. Repeat performance by Laura Kibel’s teatro dei piedi

Sunday, June 21, 8pm. Repeat performance by Gaetano Ferrara and Tiziano De Angelis

Monday, June 22, 8pm. Concert by Prima Visione mandolin orchestra. The name, the instruments and the songs are Italian, but the performers are Bulgarians. A homage paid by an outstanding Bulgarian orchestra, conducted by Silvia Statkova, to the famous musical instrument from Naples.

Tuesday, June 23, 8pm. Concert by Capone&BungtBangt
To describe this Naples band as original would not do them justice. Playing on instruments built exclusively from recycled materials, their music is borne from refuse, but their message is for protecting the environment and against waste.

Tuesday, June 23, 10pm. Closing ceremony and fireworks.
Throughout the entire week of Qui Italia 2009, booths will be offering delicacies from different regions of Italy, including authentic pizzas and pastas, sweets and ice-cream, as well as tastings of Italian wines.