September has arrived and there is a lively excitement in the air that can be felt only in this month of the year. It’s the excitement for Settembre, twenty days of events around the historic celebration for the city, the 8th of September. But it’s not only this.
This guide is designed to inform Pratesi and visitors about what they can expect during the 30 days of September. There are many interesting things, all being held in the historical centre of the city and its surrounding areas, continuously changing and with each day, becoming more and more focused on the real core of city life. Finally.
Not to be missed events in September
Concert
Let’s start with Settembre’s biggest concerts. Above all, we strongly recommend the final one with Air and Public Service Broadcasting performing on Piazza Duomo’s stage. This suggestion is not about showing off , it’s about making the most of an opportunity to catch two big international bands meeting on stage in Prato, who we very rarely get to see live.
If you can’t choose between Gianna Nannini, Carmen Consoli, Goran Bregovic, Elio e le Storie Tese and Verdena+ Marlene Kuntz (also a first time together on stage) opt for this last big September concert.
Another event not to be missed that we would like to suggest is the traditional concert of Camerata Strumentale in Piazza Duomo, next Wed 7 September. The local orchestra will perform on stage (free entrance) representing the classical prelude to the city celebration on the following day (Corteggio Storico).
The independent florentine scene is alive and fights with us in Prato. For the second year in a row the independent label “Santa Valvola” reminds us with the “Santa Valvola Fest”, a two day event of independent music (10-11 September) that will welcome the Chinese band Hiperson.
Live and eat in the city centre
For those arriving from outside we suggest you take a slow walk around the city centre, in the afternoon. You will discover a city full of interesting things to see – Palazzo Pretorio, the Dome, the Textile Museum, the Municipal library Lazzerini, just to mention a few – and full of a variety of people sitting in the streets enjoying aperitivo at their favourite bar.
There is a huge variety: from the one dedicated only to cocktails to the one only for craft beer, from the Irish pub to the German one to the first cat cafè in Tuscany; international food (Etiopian, Mexican, Pakistan, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese), lots of pizzerias, and many others where you can taste panini, cold cuts and traditional local food. You just need to choose, have a look to our section “eating in Prato”. Some of these places created a tailored menu inspired by the artists performing in piazza Duomo – just to give you an idea of the enthusiasm that Settembre creates. And if you show your ticket for one of the concerts in one of these restaurants you can get some great discounts (read all the agreements).
If you lose your mind everytime you hear the word “arrosticini”, (traditional lamb skewers from Abruzzo) do not miss the Finger Food Festival. If you choose to have an aperitivo, we suggest you have a look at these twelve bars that we selected last spring inside and outside the city centre.
Want something really sweet? Then you need to use your car (or catch a taxi) and get to the 40th sagra del fico (fig festival) in Bacchereto.
And if you are looking for an aperitivo that can combine the real taste of Prato and handcrafting tradition, you might be interested in “Aperitivi in bottega“, (aperitivo in labs), one of the side events of Settembre. From 2 to 6, you can take a hamper with local products, you can choose the artisan you prefer and have aperitivo in the lab.
Kids
Probably the most original and interesting event of “Settembre 2016”: a square dedicated to kids with performances, workshops, concerts and entertainment from 2 to 11 September. Have a look, you can find many interesting things, including an urban garden.
From a recreational point of you, parents and kids who find themselves in Prato on 17 and 18 September should not miss the new edition of Prato Comics+ Play: this year focusing more on “plays” than on “comics” with an edition entirely dedicated to board games, role- playing games, cosplaying and much more. At Officina Giovani
Tradition
On 8 September Prato celebrates its historical festival with the medieval parade through the city streets, the exposition of the Holy Belt in Piazza Duomo and fireworks at the Emperor’s Castle. If you have never seen this, we strongly encourage you to be there, even if you don’t have a passion for this kind of event.
Although we can’t talk about a centennial tradition, the game of Palla Grossa tries to chase the legend and to understand this you just need to have a look the size of the arena in Piazza Mercatale, where the four districts of the city will play from the 10th of September. We don’t want to make comparisons with most famous and most violent “Calcio Storico Fiorentino” (Florentine Historical Soccer) but Palla Grossa on the right evenings can allow even the most skeptical audience to have fun.
Chinatown
If you ask around about how to get there, you might receive a strange look. . But we are sure you can feel – and even the most skeptical Pratesi do – the attraction that Macrolotto Zero (the area where Chinese community live) raises.
While it’s a district with some social and urban problems,, it’s also one of the most dynamic areas of the city, where the hectic Chinese businesses mix together with cultural and educational spaces. We encourage you to have a look around especially in the afternoon. Go to Piazza dell’Immaginario and have a break in one of the new, recently opened bars or have dinner in one of the many Chinese restaurants along via Pistoiese and via Filzi. If you get there at the end of this month, there are some not to be missed events. The opening (30 Sept) of the exhibition “Wabi- Sabi” by Martina della Valle for InnerCode at DryPhoto, historical contemporary art association right in the heart of Macrolotto Zero. On the same day, in via Pistoiese, there will be the closing evening of the first edition of “Slideluck Prato“, an event that combines photography and food with international participants. The closing evening of Slideluck will be held at Chi-Na, one of the most active associations in the area.
Transports
Get to Prato by train, if you can. But if you are coming for the evening concerts and you are not staying in the city overnight, you will need to come by car, in which you’ll need to pay particular attention to Prato’s streets if you’re not familiar with them.
The historical centre will be unaccessible. You can get closer but leave your car outside the city walls (see the map for alternative route), if you are lucky to find a parking. Of you own a ticket for one of the concerts you will be able to have discounts. In general you will need to understand that is better to walk a bit instead of being stuck in the traffic. But if you are not from Prato, you probably already know this.
Enjoy!
(Translation: Mariagiulia Da Riva)
