Say ciao to Italian culture at LisAmore!

PASTA, pizza and prosecco will be in abundance in Lismore as the city prepares for the return of LisAmore! — an annual festival celebrating all things Italian.

Festivities kick off early this year with a hands-on Italian cooking class at the Lismore Showground on Saturday June 28. Chefs Sabrina and Daniele Vitelli, from La Romana in Ballina, will guide participants through the art of making traditional gnocchi and sweet maritozzi pastries, followed by a shared lunch.

Daniele Vitelli will co-host an Italian cooking class in the lead-up to LisAmore! festival. Photo: EVANNA KELLY

On Sunday, June 29, the Italian Film Festival takes over the Nimbin Bush Theatre, featuring screenings of two classic films. The 1966 Australian-Italian comedy They’re a Weird Mob tells the story of an Italian immigrant navigating life, language and love in Sydney, while The Great Beauty explores the reflections of a Roman socialite seeking deeper meaning beyond the city’s nightlife after his 65th birthday.

A free Italian language workshop will be held at Lismore Library from 10am to 12.30pm on Saturday July 5, hosted by the Creative Language Academy. That evening the LisAmore! Festival Dinner, which was previously an invite-only VIP event, will make its public debut at Invercauld House.

Festival-goers dance at LisAmore!, Lismore’s annual celebration of Italian culture. PHOTO: LISAGPHOTOGRAPHY

The main celebration takes place at Lismore Turf Club from 10am to 3pm on Sunday July 6. Highlights include live performances by Domenico and the Latin Mafia Band and classically trained soprano Lisa Genovese. Visitors can also enjoy street theatre, food stalls, cultural exhibits and a friendly tug-of-war competition.

An Italian car and motorcycle showcase will feature Ferraris, Ducatis and Vespas, while younger festival-goers can explore Piccoli Amici, the kids’ zone offering chess, soccer, crafts, games and a spaghetti-eating contest at 11am. Founded in 2016 by a group of volunteers, LisAmore! aims to strengthen ties with Lismore’s friendship cities — Conegliano and Vittorio Veneto in northern Italy — and to honour the contributions of the local Italian community in the Northern Rivers region.

Classic Italian cars on show at LisAmore! PHOTO: LISAGPHOTOGRAPHY

“As LisAmore! continues to grow, so does the energy and enthusiasm it brings to our city,” festival manager Allison Kelly said. “It’s more than just a festival – it’s a joyful weekend where our community comes together to celebrate culture, connection and the heart of Lismore.”

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