Water is the natural material par excellence which cover over the 70% of our planet, form the 90% of our body and is by far the most popular beverage in the world.
What better theme, then, for the creation of a new great event in Umbria the region that, paradoxically, is one of the few in the Italian Peninsula not bordered by the sea but which is at the same time the container of many places where water is the protagonist .
One need only consider rivers, lakes, waterfalls, thermal baths, hydroelectric plants, dams, fountainheads, wells or waterworks of various times.
So here come the spontaneous idea to celebrate this raw material through an event that tackles a topic of unquestioning importance in a very modern way, by the ironic claim: “Acqua in bocca!”.
The idea is to put together all the Umbria places where water is already leading and with it the nature that surrounds us, where we find ourselves rediscovering our human dimension.
Moreover, in this context fits the important consideration of United Nations to place the Headquarters of the World Water Assessment Programme just in Perugia, from 2008.
The purposes of the event, in its 1st Edition, want to be the following:
- Involving a target of families, tourists, fans and professionals, reaching some 100.000 attendances;
- Involving actively the regional territory throughout specific actions for each location;
- Making the industrial companies in the sector who have the economic capacity to support the event through the sponsorship proposals ad hoc, protagonist;
- Involving the regional schools in focusing on cultural content, but in a playful and captivating way;
- Increasing the length of tourist stays through the motivational tourism boost which combine an holiday in the Green Hearth of Italy with the cultural and entertainment event;
- Contributing to qualify even more the image of Umbria as the ideal stage for great events;
- Characterizing the event as an annual appointment that anticipates the summer season with a theme linked to the water despite the absence of the sea;
- Generating a significant media visibility of the "Umbria" brand, through a planned and strategic action of the press office at local and national level.
Umbria Region, Perugia District, Terni District, Perugia Chamber of Commerce, Terni Chamber of Commerce.
Sedicieventi Agency
The event will be divided into several thematic areas aimed at different target users, all exhibition areas of the event will be open to the public free of charge, only some activities will provide an admission fee.
The thematic areas of the event, as detailed below, will be the following:
A) Sport Area
B) Healthy Spa-Area
C) Renewable Energy and Meteorological Area
D) Entertainment Area and "Aquatic" Attractions
E) Landscape Area, Art, History and Culture of Water
F) Meetings Area
G) Cultural and Learning Area for School
H) Gardening and Agriculture Area
I) Sales and Tasting Area
L) Cooking and Gastronomy Area
M) International Area
Sports initiatives will form a considerable part in the event calendar: courses and competitions for sailing, windsurfing and kite surfing will be available on Trasimeno lake. On the other hand, the more adventurous can try rafting and kayaking in the Corno river, or tackle hydrospeed and canyoning on the Nera river, or downstream of the Marmore waterfalls, to experience and discover nature through fun!
Trasimeno Lake, Corbara Lake, Alviano dam, Tevere river, Nera river and other important waterway such as Chiascio and Topino host sessions of sport fishing for fishermen of all ages.
In this context, it also provides for the involvement of public swimming pools for "official" Swimming days, Aqua gym, Aqua spinning, etc.. that allow even those who stays in town to enjoy the healing powers of water.
The Umbria substratum is rich of mineral thermal waters: from C
ittà di Castello to San Gemini, travelling through Spello and Assisi, Umbria Spa offer many opportunities to take care of your body and your health.
Umbria Water Festival provides the public with a dip into relaxation and wellness in order to get to know and experience the health effects of water in the centers of excellence of Umbria region.
Thematic routes and guided tours will be created at t
he Galleto plant, built in 1929 and able to produce electricity with a power of about 530 MW and Piediluco Lake that serves as a water tank for the plant, which together form one of the largest hydroelectric units of Europe.
Next to water as a driving force to provide "clean" energy, will be dedicated a wide space also to the other renewable energy sources, in particular to the wind force: many areas of Umbria are very windy and it urges, with increasing interest, citizens and institutions to assess the feasibility of a windpower system.
An interesting area will be dedicated to meteorology, water is just a key element of control of the Earth's climate.
The important issue of climate change, will be analyzed both in the global phenomena that in the aspects related to the local area.
Special events which turn in watershows through forays into the world of theater, music, dance and 3D projections.
During performances artists, actors, musicians and performers from different sectors of the art world will have to confront themselves, each with their own tools, with the water element.
Umbria Water Festival audience can also become witness of a special free film show which will suggest the general public themed films including: The Perfect Storm, Lady Water, Ocean World, The Water diviner, One Water, Water War and for a little kids audience, animated films like Finding Nemo and Little Mermaid.
Even classic literature related to marine and underwater world, will be protagonist in a series of reading meetings.
Exhibitions, thematic tours, guided tours, photo safaris and much more to show the side, not at all known, of the nature that surrounds the water and also its social and cultural implications.
The four days of Umbria Water Festival will involve the three Umbrian National Parks: Monte Cucco Park, Monte Subasio Park and Monti Sibillini Park, which together to the Colfiorito Park will host activities for all ages, such as guided tours, trekking group, birdwatching and photography workshops, aimed at enhancing knowledge and natural environment of its territory and to emphasize the importance of values related to nature conservation.
For those who remain in the city will be organized walks to discover the historic fountains and aqueducts, following a path that shows how the water in Umbria is everywhere, even where it is not so obvious!
A place of honor will be reserved to the Roman Aqueduct and to the famous Etruscan Wells in Perugia and Orvieto, which will tell the story and the unique architectural features.
A series of meetings with industry experts in the field to deal with topics ranging from the last frontiers of hydraulic engineering, to the presentations of the latest data on water consumption in Italy, through the important topic of water birth about which umbrian hospitals have always been promoters.
It requires the involvement of schools of all class and level, and of the University of Perugia, with specific initiatives to be enjoyed not only during the event, but to carry on throughout the school year with special training projects.
Essential element for the growth of plants, flowers and garden products, water will also allow to delve into issues related to the cultivation of the green.
For this purpose during the four day of the event will be organized tours around the medieval and botanic garden of the University of Perugia, the Villa Fidelia park in Spello and the water plant garden on the Polvese island.
Moreover will be organized courses of gardening during which some experts in the field will reveal all the secrets about plant care: from the watering to the pruning and the flower arrangement. A special area will be devoted to flowers and aquatic plants: water lilies, daffodils, thalias and lotus flowers will be protagonists of a themed exhibition enriched with workshops held by experts and aimed at all the lovers of gardening.
Following a trend in vogue during the recent years,
couldn’t miss during Umbria Water Festival a large emporium of mineral waters where you can choose from hundreds and hundreds of product references.
Moreover, a special section will be reserved for classes and tastings, which will place an official qualification as a "Mineral Waters Taster" and that will put special attention to the improvement of water miles.
Cooking classes for lovers and professionals will highlight the leadin
g role that the water takes in kitchen: expert cooks will reveal to the aspirant chefs the secrets of steaming and immersion cooking skills, to create great dishes while preserving the nutritional proprieties of food.
At the end of the course all who love cooking can also taste fresh-cooked dishes, created for the occasion by the best Umbrian chefs.
Almost universally identified as a vital element by the various people of the earth, the water has given birth to many spiritual traditions.
To explore this fascinating water-related issue, Umbria Water Festival will host an international area within which the public will be led on a journey through time and space through the discover of water as a symbol of life and death, of eternal youth, of sin and purification and of the deepest part of personality.
