Learn Italian and Folklore in Tuscany - Weekly Lessons:

An ambitious and exclusive project sponsored by Lucignano’s municipality, Pieve Vecchia’s parish and the town’s Folklore Group, which has been planned to support the teaching of the Italian language and the Tuscan folklore of the Valdichiana.

AMBITIOUS: Our aim, besides the teaching of the language and Folklore of our area, is to promote contact among people coming from different cultures.

EXCLUSIVE: Only a maximum of 30 people will be allowed to enrol at the courses which will be held in June and July: 15 males and 15 females coming from as many parts of the world as possible, aged between 21 and 45 years.

Please note: we will not allow more than six people coming from the same country to participate to the project.

A UNIQUE CHANCE TO LEARN ITALIAN AND THE MOST ANCIENT TRADITIONS OF THIS COUNTRY WHILE HAVING FUN IN TUSCANY!

Daily courses are: in the morning, two hours lessons focusing on Italian language and culture, taught by native speakers, followed by an hour of practice in the afternoon…

… during which our guests will have to make contact and share life directly with the people of this wonderful village.

The courses are held in the Town Hall’s assembly room with wonderful frescos, with was completely restored at the end of the 90s.

The courses consist of two hours of theory and practice and are led directly by the members of Lucignano’s Folklore Group. All these activities take place an night in the most picturesque of the town.

For more info click here!

Learn Italian and Folklore in Tuscany - Monthly Lessons:

Overlooking the Chiana Valley (Valdichiana), Lucignano is a small hilltop town in the south of Tuscany, whose medieval urban plan was based on a series of concentric elliptical rings, which have remained perfectly intact and preserved throughout the intervening centuries. Wandering through this incredible maze of narrow medieval streets, you will eventually reach the highest point of the town, which opens out into a square featuring the Town Hall, the Church of St. Francis and the Collegiate Church.

Thanks to the citizens of Lucignano and in cooperation with the local authorities, a unique project has been set up, with the aim of promoting the teaching of Italian as a foreign language, together with the teaching of traditional Chiana Valley (Valdichiana) folk dancing. The main objective of this venture is to encourage group encounters, where like-minded people from diverse cultures can come together.

It provides a unique opportunity to have fun learning Italian and becoming acquainted with some of our old cultural traditions in greater depth. Month-long classes will be organized in June and July for a maximum of 30 participants per month. 

ITALIAN CLASSES: Native-speaker teachers of Italian will hold two-hour Italian language and culture classes every morning. In the afternoon, one hour will be spent in direct contact with the locals of Lucignano. Classes will be held in the magnificent council chambers of the Town Hall, whose walls are adorned with frescoes, all of which have recently been fully restored. Your teachers:

Donella Carosi Italian Teacher: Graduated at the Magistrale Institute Giuseppe Toniolo in Radicondoli. Postgraduate of the Provveditorato agli Studi di Arezzo in 1991. She attended the conference: “ Aree educative ed orientamenti” in 1987, with special mention by the Provveditore (Superintendent).

Vanna Bufalini Italian Teacher: She has obtained several degrees and master’s degrees during her long career as a school teacher. She has also been a member of the Gruppo Folkloristico di Lucignano (the Folklore Group of Lucignano) for many years.

FOLK DANCING CLASSES: Two-hour theory and practice classes will be held every evening, led by the organizers of the Gruppo Folcloristico di Lucignano (Folklore Group of Lucignano). All these lessons will be conducted outdoors in the public squares of Lucignano and other nearby villages.

Leading names in the Gruppo Folcloristico di Lucignano (Folklore Group of Lucignano).

Alberto Nocentini: Artistic Director of the Gruppo Folcloristico di Lucignano (Folklore Group of Lucignano). Professor of Linguistics at the University of Florence, he continues to conduct research into the many local traditions, particularly traditional song and dance.

Pier Luigi Stendardi: Secretary of the Folklore Group. In charge of national and international public relations. Director of the International Folklore Festival, which is held annually in the third week of July.

Elvio Bufalini: President of the Association. Senior, long-standing member of the group. In addition to his institutional role, he is an active member of the group, both as dancer and musician.

Mario Datteroni: Vice President. In charge of the training of new dancers and theday-to-day running of the dance department.

FREE TIME: There will be no lessons on Thursdays and Sundays, so that you have the chance to relax, go shopping or explore the natural, artistic and architectural heritage of our beautiful country!

MEALS AND ACCOMMODATION: Course participants will benefit from discounts in some local restaurants.

Course participants may choose to be accommodated in the local rectory, the Canonica di S.Biagio, in shared rooms sleeping a maximum of 6 people.

Or you may prefer a different style of local accommodation, in which case we suggest you take a look at our villas and apartments on the following websites:

http://www.intuscany.net/villas/villas.html

http://www.intuscany.net/apartments/apartments.html

For more info click here!