12th International Festival of Sand Sculpture

From 21 June 2009 to 31 July 2009

Dantes Inferno :theme for the 12th International Festival of Sand SculptureAfter having selected the Olympics for its theme, this years International Sand Sculpture has chosen Dante to give body to its works. Abandon all hope, all ye who enter here (Inferno, Canto III, vv. 1-9): these are the words which Dante saw engraved above the gates of Hell when he stood on the threshold of the world of the damned, a world which is full of vivid images perfectly suited to the art form of sand sculpture.

The 20 artists gathered together by Richard Varano reproduce the atmosphere, mythological figures and famous personalities from this most famous and beautiful of books, rich in spectacular scenery.

From such an apparently evanescent material as sand come forth magisterial works, full of detail: the figures of the boatman Charon, of the doomed lovers Paolo and Francesa, the terrible Cerberus, the sublimely tragic figure of Ugolino and many more. A voyage through the infernal regions, culminating in the final exit, when the poet saw the stars once more.

This event, already a tradition and pleasure, will certainly enrich your summers experience in the region.