The White Night of Bientina (Notte Bianca)

The "White Night" is an occasion for the shops to be opened all night. This event comes once a year, in June. The purpose of this event is to show and sell the products, it's like an incentive for the people to buy, seeing the dramatic situation that we are living in our country at the moment. In my town, Bientina, this occasion presents a different theme every year: 


               Two years ago the theme was Hawaiian,

last year the theme was Western, 

instead this year the theme was Ancient Rome.

 

This occasion isn't only celebrated in the city center, but along every street of the town. Seeing that it's a themed night, everybody takes part in the theme dressing up. The buildings are decorated with lights, music and various decorations, in this way the occasion takes colour! Everybody is welcome to participate to buy products and taste the traditional foods of Tuscany that every shop has to offer on their stands outside every shop. It really feels as if travelling back in time and to live the ancient civilization. The nice thing about it is that every year it's a surprise for everybody, because the theme is announced a few days before, so that the shopkeepers and the citizens can prepare themselves in time. You never know what to expect until that day.

 Benedetta Perotti