After Provence last year, Pirmasens will soon have Italy as a guest. “Bella Italia” is the name of the event under the auspices of the marketing association, which wants to deepen the Italian-style Schlossplatz from June 10 to July 3. Project manager Martina Sonnenrein has put together a great program with a budget of 25,000 euros, announces department manager Denis Claauer. Not only culinary but also musical. And the Protestant service of Dean Ralph Krieger will be moved from Luther Church outside to Schlossplatz. Together with choir leader Wolf-Rüdiger Schreiweis, the dean wants to develop a program that does the style of the urban event justice. Their goal: to celebrate the lightness and joy of life in Italy in the service.
The only constant in the square is the Zweibrücken showman family Jäkel, who this time want to pamper guests with pizza bratwurst, Italian salsiccia and caprese. Another catering business is Mekans Pizza from Saarlouis. Mekan Kolosinac and Yvonne Roos take on the role of pizza and pasta.
Twelve times music in the castle square
“This year, the city event will no longer be fenced in,” announces project manager Sonnenrein. No construction fences, no bars – the square will be accessible from all sides. “We will work with parasols and drape deck chairs by the fountain,” promises the project manager. Everything is decorated in Italian national colors. The music program is also colorful. Sonnenrein managed to find musicians for all four weekends. There will be twelve performances at Schlossplatz – “it’s extraordinary”, she says.
“Trio Finale” presents Italian classics such as “Marina”, “Azzuro” and “Americano” with accordion, bass and guitar. But there are also teardrops like “O Sole mio”, promises Sonnenrein. Barbara Wesely, Michael Wrack and Andrea Tognoli play as a “trio final” June 10 and July 3 at. 16.00 and 19.00 at Schlossplatz.
Invitation to dance
Antonio Siena is on stage for the first time in Pirmasens, accompanied by Nils Becker on guitar. With her performance, Siena wants to follow the inhabitants of Pirmasens through Italy’s musical geography, but not only make music, but tell stories, arouse emotions and share experiences from the land of longing. “Italian Job” is the name of the two musicians who will perform on Saturdays 11 June and 2 July from 19.00.
Also included is “Happy Dance” with evergreens and hits as well as Rico Aston, whose voice is said to be reminiscent of Joe Cocker. Steffen Schmitt (keyboard / vocals), head of Pirmasen’s regulatory office, will perform on the main stage with his two-man band «Two Big». They play music from the 70s to the 90s. There are also “3 of us”, “Double Z” with Elias and Michael Zobeley and “Perfect Imperfection” with Dieter Geisinger and Michael Frits. There will be music in a box twice. DJ Freddy spins Italian cult hits that Pirmasen’s people can dance to, because this year Sonnenrein has planned a dance floor in front of the stage.
A special program for children
The project manager also wants to try something completely new this time. She invited Vespa drivers from all over the Palatinate to the pedestrian area. It was quite difficult at first because of the permits, she says, but: “For me, Vespas are as much a part of Italy as pizza and pasta.” Sonnenrein has already received more than 50 commitments.
The children are also treated royally. The little ones can pan for gold and dig for gems with Thomy the globetrotter, which performs on Sunday 12 June. On June 26, Thomy has a paint sling in her luggage. This should be used to paint a wall. There are also magic tricks and balloons with Toni Balloni from Waldfischbach-Burgalben on Sunday 3 July.
Another special feature: The marketing association has designed its own cocktail for “Bella Italia”.
The summer festival ends with shopping Sunday 3 July.