Strega Nona is an award-winning series of children's books written and illustrated by American-Italian author Tomie dePaola (1934-2020). Set in Calabria, in southern Italy, the books tell the stories of Strega Nona or “Grandma Witch”. She is known throughout her home village for her numerous, magical remedies. Strega Nona is getting old, so she hires […]

Benvenuto Presidente! (1993) is an Italian comedy written by Fabio Bonifacci and Nicola Giuliano and directed by Riccardo Milani and starring Claudio Bisio. Elections are held for the President of the Republic, but political leaders cannot reach an agreement. As a result, main party leaders all chose to vote for a historical figure as a […]

Strega Nona is an award-winning series of children's books written and illustrated by American-Italian author Tomie dePaola (1934-2020). Set in Calabria, in southern Italy, the books tell the stories of Strega Nona or “Grandma Witch”. She is known throughout her home village for her numerous, magical remedies. Strega Nona is getting old, so she hires […]

Join comedian Joe Cacchione as he hosts Italian Week’s first Trivia Night, Italian style! Are you a trivia buff? Do you like all things Italian? Test your knowledge on pop culture, food, history, art and more in this fun game of Questions and Answers.  Brush up on your Italian information (you do not have to […]

Donnie Brasco (1997) is an Oscar-nominated film loosely based on the true story of Joseph D. Pistone (played by Johnny Depp), an FBI undercover agent who infiltrated the Bonanno crime family in New York City during the 1970s, under the alias Donnie Brasco. Brasco maneuvers his way into the confidence of an aging Mafia hitman, […]

Join the Chair of the Festival’s Board of Directors, Alessio Monterosso, live from Preston Street on Sunday night. We'll wrap up our digital festival by announcing the winners of our 2020 art contest, sharing some festival highlights, and answering any questions through a live Q+A!

Join us for the official launch of Italian Week 2021!

Tullio and his brother have not spoken for over twenty years due to a dispute over land inheritance in Italy. To create the appearance of a man of leisure, Tullio turns the business over to his sons, putting Massimo, the younger, educated, favourite son in charge. Joe, who has worked alongside his father in the dirt, is shunned. Massimo makes a fatal business error which puts the family company in jeopardy. The whole thing explodes in a family war between father and sons that wrecks not only the family garden, but forever changes the dynamics within the family.

THE CHAIN play was a critically acclaimed box office smash thirty years ago and again in 2019.

A favourite Italian tradition is the aperitivo, a pre-meal cocktail drink that takes place at the end of a workday ahead of dinner, otherwise known as the Italian happy hour.

In this interactive virtual masterclass, Mati Ottawa's Marty Pineault will guide participants in preparing their own traditional aperitivo. Participants will learn about the rich history of aperitivo, specialties and traditions of different Italian regions, and varieties of Italian cocktails.

Italian-Canadian comedian Joe Cacchione returns for an entertaining evening of Italian trivia, comedy, prizes and more!

Note: You don't need a team, but we encourage you to invite friends to join the fun!

Italian Week's Stefano Bianco will take you on a brief historical tour of the traditional procession route that follows the annual outdoor Mass. Starting from the steps of St. Anthony’s of Padua Church in Ottawa, Stefano will travel the procession route on a vespa, stopping at prominent sites in Little Italy to speak with members of the Italian community.

Strega Nona returns by popular demand and in collaboration with the Dante Alighieri Society. Join Canadian theatre director, producer, and writer Jessica Ruano for an exciting new adventure with Strega Nona Meets Her Match (read in English).

Strega Nona is a beloved children’s series featuring elements of Italian culture. Appropriate for all ages.

In this interactive hands-on virtual masterclass, participants will follow holistic chef and TV host of Simply Cooking by Mmm Chef Daniela Crocco, to learn how to make pasta dough by hand from a few simple ingredients.

No equipment needed.

Strega Nona returns by popular demand and in collaboration with the Dante Alighieri Society. Join actress, art director, and producer Marinella Montanari for an exciting new adventure with Strega Nona: Her Story (read in English).

Strega Nona is a beloved children’s series featuring elements of Italian culture. Appropriate for all ages.

Join Emma Terrell, The Urban Botanist, for a one-hour interactive virtual lesson where you can learn how to grow your green thumb. We will be talking all things tomatoes, herbs, soil, fertilizers, and more!

Learn how to plant, prune, stake, and fertilize your tomatoes. Up your garden game this summer with lots of helpful tips and tricks from Ottawa’s own Urban Botanist.

Strega Nona returns by popular demand and in collaboration with the Dante Alighieri Society. Join Canadian actor, playwright, and director Eleanor Crowder for an exciting new adventure with Big Anthony: His Story (read in English).

Strega Nona is a beloved children’s series featuring elements of Italian culture. Appropriate for all ages.

Dante's Perspective is a multidisciplinary event to appreciate Dante's poetry from three different perspectives: politics, nature, and love.

Princeton Professor and author Simone Marchesi will guide the audience in new approaches to Dante, and the artists from Jobel Art for Earth will bring to life some of the most famous and beautiful of Dante's verses. Woven throughout will be a storyline tracing some of the more mysterious aspects of Dante’s life.

Think you know Little Italy and Italian culture? Prove it!

Join our very first Italian Week Scavenger Hunt, powered by Escape Manor. Solve riddles, answer trivia, find hidden items, and perform fun and humourous tasks on social media (if you want to), all from the comfort of your own home.

Amazing prizes!

Think you know Little Italy and Italian culture? Prove it!

Join the Italian Puzzle Quest, powered by Lockdown Ottawa. Solve riddles, answer trivia, find hidden items, and perform fun and humourous tasks on social media (if you want to).

Amazing prizes to be won, valued at over $4000!

Enjoy the fresh air and bring the whole family for a special outdoor screening of the 2019 version of Pinocchio co-written, starring, and directed by Roberto Benigni!

Join this annual event to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony which includes an outdoor mass on the steps of St. Anthony’s Church, followed by a procession.

Join us for this literary event featuring prose and poetry read by local authors.

Join award-winning Chef Pino Posteraro as he leads you through the unique Italian tradition of creating beautiful charcuterie.

Kids love the Strega Nona stories! Join for an exciting new travel adventure with Strega Nona (read in English).

Strega Nona is a beloved children’s series featuring elements of Italian culture. Appropriate for all ages.

Make focaccia art using vegetables to create idyllic scenes! Host Rebecca Drent will take you through this fun activity!

Kids love the Strega Nona stories! Learn about gardening with Strega Nona and Big Anthony (read in English).

Strega Nona is a beloved children’s series featuring elements of Italian culture. Appropriate for all ages.

Experience Italy through the eyes of world-renowned sommelier Veronique Rivest and increase your knowledge of Italian wines!

Italian Week Ottawa's Grand Finale Weekend includes comedy, music, performances, and more. Sponsored by the Preston Street BIA.

Join us as at our AGM as we look back at the 2022 Festival, review our financials, elect new board members, and take a sneak peek at the 2023 Festival line-up! The meeting is open to the public, but only active members can vote. You can become a member by visiting our registration page, registering, […]