Civic Arena of Milan, viale Giorgio Byron, 2 (Parco Sempione) May 14, 2011
From 10.00 to 22.00 on Saturday May, 14 2011, Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI) made an appointment for adults and children at the Arena Civica in Milan, where the “Air Festival” was staged: a day of leisure and fun with free admission, to celebrate the air, a precious and fragile element, essential for our life.
On that occasion, thanks to FAI, the hot air balloons returned to animate the sky above the Civic Arena, just as they did in the nineteenth century: the audience was able to experience the thrill of getting on board the basket where passengers are hosted carrying out special restricted flights (from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 18.00 to 20.00) and admire, from about 21.00, suggestive night performances that featured colorful balloons specially illuminated.
But it was not just the balloons that flew: during the event there were in fact amusing shows of acrobatic kites, interesting falconry demonstrations – during which it was possible to get to know closely and see some of the most known predators of the air – and original shows with actors and soap bubbles, while all the children were given lots of balloons.
The day was also enlivened by the presence of Bersaglieri fanfare and the Air Force fanfare and musical performances of wind instruments. In addition, for the little ones, playful-educational workshops have been organized to learn how to build kites and a special falconry and environmental education course.
Furthermore, from 11.00 to 17.00, it was possible to have a special postmark placed on the two postcards celebrating the event, specially prepared in a box by Poste Italiane.
A big party open to all, with which FAI also wanted to “put the spotlight” on the Arena Civica with its Palazzina (since 2010 the seat of FAI Lombardia and FAI Delegation of Milan and famous for the hall of honor a wonderful monochrome frieze attributed to Appiani) in order to promote the recovery and restoration of this imposing neoclassical complex designed and built in 1806 by the architect Luigi Canonica and inaugurated by Napoleon Bonaparte on December 17, 1807. Below is the detailed program of the event .
DAY PROGRAM
Hot air balloons
Tied flights: 10.00-12.00 / 18.00-20.00
Night show: 21.30-22.00
Flying kites
Construction workshops: 10.00–14.00 / 15.00–19.00
Monofilament performances: 11.00-11.30 / 19.00-19.30
Edy Angelino exhibition: 16.00-17.00
Falconers and environmental education courses
Flight shows: 14.30-15.30 / 17.00-18.00
Didactic activity: 11.00–13.00 / 14.00–19.00
Soap bubbles
In the morning from 10.30 to 14.00, approximately every 30 minutes
In the afternoon from 15.30 to 20.00, every hour
And then…
Performances by Bersaglieri fanfare and Air Force fanfare, guided visits to the Appiani Palace from 10.00 to 19.00 every 30 minutes, possibility of having a special postmark affixed on postcards celebrating the event from 11.00 to 17.00, distribution of cheerful balloons for everyone. Here you can browse the very rich photo album, which illustrates the various events of the event.
