Brescia and Bergamo were selected for their unique cultural wealth, which is to be discovered in a year of unmissable events, such as exhibitions, concerts, festivals and theatrical performances.

As Procida passes on the baton this year, Bergamo and Brescia are all ready to share the title of Italian Capital of Culture 2023. A long summer of pop will celebrate the grand fest with hundreds of events in Bergamo and Brescia to fill the summer days and nights with life, music and colour.

According to a press statement, the two Lombardy provincial capitals are taking the lead in the desire for revival through the La Città Illuminata or Illuminated City project, which aims to relaunch the territory by placing the focus on culture. One of the key aims of this establishment has been to support, encourage and foster the cities’ autonomous planning and implementation capabilities, so that the value of cultural leverage for social cohesion, integration, creativity, innovation, growth and economic development is increasingly perceived.

The Harlequin’s Cloak, a theatre and participatory art festival by Bergamo’s Teatro Tascabile, with performances until September 30, will feature international artists like Kaarina Kaikkonen and Vero Cendoya, says the statement, adding that the Centro Teatrale Bresciano marks the centenary of Italo Calvino’s birth with The invisible cities. The future is a duty, where 20 artists will perform from June 27 to July 9 in a visionary show.

It adds that thousands of local artists will take part in Festa della Music in Bergamo from June 21 and Brescia from June 24. Bergamo hosts Lazzaretto Estate 2023, fifteen evenings from June 27 to July 30 starring great artists such as Madame, Snarky Puppy, Pat Metheny, Francesca Michielin, Jethro Tull. The Cipiesse review will bring to Brescia Mr Rain, Coma Cose and Dardast, Steve Hackett.

International artists will perform in Brescia’s Festival Jazz on the road from July 10 to 14, like Jonathan Coel & Artchipel Orchestra, Dave Holland “New Quartet”, Bill Frisell “Four”, Serena Brancale Quartet. Also, the Sub Limen festival that is to be held from July 21 in both cities offer 6 contemporary performances between electronic, pop and experimental music, says the statement.

It goes on to add that art takes centre stage from June 23 in Bergamo at GAMeC with Rachel Whiteread… And the animals were sold, where the celebrated English artist examines relationships between present and past and Vivian Suter. Home, the first exhibition by the Argentinian artist in an Italian museum. Meanwhile, Accademia Carrara is staging Peaks of light. Naoki Ishikawa on the Bergamesque Alps, displaying 19th century paintings and contemporary photographs.