Italy On Our Radar | February
This week’s Italian heritage and cultural news moves across regions, disciplines, and generations. From contemporary art in Milan to historic hospitality in Valtellina and Rome, from urban folklore in Bologna to fashion and culinary craftsmanship abroad, legacy continues to evolve rather than stand still.
Here is what we are watching now.
Debora Hirsch’s Vanishing Trees at Palazzo Citterio, Milan
At Palazzo Citterio in Milan, Debora Hirsch presents Vanishing Trees, a digital installation that explores endangered species through art, science, and technology.
On view through April 15, 2026, within the Grande Brera complex, the exhibition merges artistic research with scientific collaboration. Hirsch draws from Plant Humanities to examine how images can hold the living world as evidence rather than replacement. Through AI-generated imagery and immersive video, endangered trees speak in the first person, shifting perspective away from human dominance and toward ecological interdependence.
In Milan, contemporary art becomes both meditation and inquiry. The exhibition invites visitors to reconsider their relationship with the plant world that sustains them.
A Historic Valtellina Landmark Enters a New Chapter
In Sondrio, Grand Hotel della Posta continues its 19th-century legacy with a new affiliation under the WorldHotels Distinctive collection.
Located in Piazza Garibaldi and welcoming travelers since 1862, the property blends frescoed ceilings and historic architecture with contemporary comfort. Positioned between Alpine passes and Lake Como, it serves as a year-round gateway to Valtellina’s culinary and outdoor traditions.
As Lombardy’s international profile evolves, the hotel remains rooted in place while modernizing with care.
Stay tuned for our upcoming “Chat with Sara Digiesi” in our March Festa della Donna edition, where we will explore leadership and the evolving vision behind BWH Hotels in Italy.
In Rome, a Fifth Generation Shapes Hospitality’s Future
At Bettoja Hotels in Rome, Stefania Bettoja helps guide one of the city’s longest-running family hospitality groups into its next era.
Founded in 1875 and spanning Hotel Massimo d’Azeglio, Hotel Mediterraneo, and Hotel Atlantico, the group balances preservation with renewal. Bettoja refined the culinary direction toward seasonality and ingredient quality while maintaining beloved classics. Through L’Angolo del Piemonte, she honors the family’s northern Italian origins and connects guests to lineage through flavor.
An 18-month renovation cycle launching in Spring 2026 will update interiors and guest spaces while protecting the architectural identity that defines the group.
Bologna’s “Singles’ Bridge” Reimagines a Modern Ritual
In Bologna’s historic center, a small overlook along the Reno Canal has hosted a quiet tradition since 2007. Known as the “Singles’ Bridge,” the site became associated with padlocks inspired by Rome’s Ponte Milvio. Over time, the symbolism expanded beyond romance to include dreams, memory, and personal wishes.
Journalist and performer Rossella Regina recently revealed herself as the creator of the initiative and announced a collaboration with digital storyteller Stefania Reccia to launch a digital fairy tale inspired by the bridge’s imagined origins.
What began as a spontaneous gesture now evolves into layered urban folklore. In Bologna, even small rituals carry narrative weight.
Sergio Soldano Revives a Historic Italian House
Founded in 1968 and celebrated for geometric silhouettes and vibrant color, Sergio Soldano returns with a Fall/Winter 2026–2027 collection presented in New York.
Under co-creative directors Giovanni Premoli and Dario Di Bella, the house reinterprets its legacy rather than replicate it. The collection draws inspiration from Genoa, the birthplace of Maestro Sergio Soldano, and translates architectural memory into contemporary form through painterly prints and structured silhouettes.
The revival signals renewed confidence in Italian craftsmanship. Heritage speaks again in a modern language.
From Southern Italy to South Florida: Renato Viola Expands His Craft
Chef Renato Viola began his journey in Southern Italy, apprenticing with master pizzaioli before establishing Mister O1 in Miami Beach. His approach centers on slow fermentation, premium Italian ingredients, and precise technique.
Now expanding into Dania Pointe in South Florida, Viola carries forward a philosophy shaped in Italy. Signature star-shaped pizzas balance creativity with tradition, reflecting craft rather than trend.
Italian culinary identity continues to travel, adapting to new communities while retaining its roots.
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