Learn Italian in Auckland
This year’s Festival Italiano Concert will feature Flautist Luca Manghi and pianist David Kelly with a selection of music by Casella, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Malipiero, Rota, and a special homage to Ennio Morricone. The concert will be followed by an Italian aperitivo. Due to Covid Alert 2 in Auckland the event will be limited to 100 people (including musicians and staff).
Cash at the door only, entry $25,
Dante members $20, Students $10.
Sunday 27 September, 5pm start
St Luke’s Church
Remuera, Auckland 1050
Our annual Dante Raffle is back! We may not be able to travel to Italy this year, but we have some amazing prizes for you, to make the most of the dolce vita here in New Zealand!
Win a long weekend for 6 at Bombardino Chalet in Ohakune, with welcoming Italian dinner!
Our first prize this year is an Italian style experience here in wonderful New Zealand! Bombardino Chalet is a modern holiday home in Ohakune, complete with Spa, mountain views, and located within walking distance from shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Prize pack includes two nights for 6 people and welcoming Italian dinner by hosts Simona and Massimo, to be enjoyed between November 2020 e March 2021 (date to be arranged with hosts, dependant on availability, public holidays excluded). Prize pack valued at approx. $1000 +
Learn to make fresh pasta like they do it in Bologna! Win a basic pasta class for two at Pasta & Cuore in Mt Eden, valued at $220
Pasta & Cuore is an Italian Restaurant and Pastificio in the heart of Mt Eden, open from lunch through to dinner Tuesday to Saturday. They specialise in handmade fresh pasta using quality ingredients and traditional methods, and run pasta and gnocchi classes at different levels.
Winning tickets will be drawn from a barrel on 8 November, 4.30pm on Stage at Festival Italiano, Osborne Lane, Newmarket, Auckland. Results will be notified publicly on www.dante.org.nz on 10 November 2020. In case of event of cancellation the draw will be done one week after the Festival date. The winners, if not present, will be notified by phone.
Studio Italia Cinema Italiano opening at the Bridgeway Cinema in Auckland - cool and safe meeting up with masks to enjoy the hilarious comedy An Almost Ordinary Summer - Croce e Delizia - plus there were yummy goodie bags for everyone!!!Grazie Cinema Italiano Festival for bringing a lit Italian flair to Auckland: the Italian Festival Season in Auckland is now officially open!
Cinema Italiano Festival is coming to Auckland! Click here to download and print the full programme!
Italian Festival Season in Auckland: 17 September – 29 November, Auckland-wide
The largest Italian Festival in New Zealand is returning in Auckland, with the highlight being the popular Festival Italiano street event in Newmarket on Sunday 8 November.
The Italian Festival Season in Auckland will open officially on 17 September with Cinema Italiano Festival, followed by a series of Italian events including the international art exhibition Illustrators for Gianni Rodari, in New Zealand for the first time.
The season will continue until 27 November with a host of Italian-themed events in the city, plus the Week of Italian Language and the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World. For an updated list of events check out our Festival Calendar.
The apex of the Italian Season will be the Festival Italiano on Sunday 8 November, in Newmarket’s Osborne St, Kent St, Rialto Centre and Lumsden Green. Italian restaurants and food stalls will set up in the streets together with a pop-up Italian bar and a market, plus more free activities inside Rialto Centre.
Live music and entertainment, art and books for children, a special Italian products degustation area, workshops and exhibits will be happening alongside displays of Italian cars and scooters, spot prizes, and special guests.
Sir John Kirwan, President of the Dante Alighieri Italian Society of Auckland, the main player behind the Festival, commented:
“2020 has been a challenging year, and the future is still uncertain, but at the Dante Alighieri Italian Society we want to be positive, forward looking, and offer everyone a chance to experience Italy right here in New Zealand.
“Naturally the decision to hold a Festival came with many new challenges and with much diminished finances, so I would like to acknowledge all those volunteers who work tirelessly to make this event possible, our sponsors big and small, and the public who every year turn up, rain or shine, to celebrate with us in numbers.”
This year there will be changes to the event to adhere to new Ministry of Health and Auckland Council guidelines and to keep the public safe. All updates will be published in our website and shared through our media and social channels.
Festival Italiano is a not-for-profit event organised by the volunteers of the Dante Alighieri Society of Auckland in collaboration with Newmarket., with the generous support of the Waitematā Local Board and under the patronage of the Italian Embassy in Wellington. The major corporate sponsor and partner for 2020 is Rialto Centre.
