Bologna, capital of Emilia-Romagna, lies between the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and the Po Valley, in a strategic position that connects North and South, East and West. From here, cities such as Venice, Florence, Milan and Rome, as well as the Adriatic coast, are easily reachable, making it an ideal base for an international community of dancers.
The city offers an intense cultural life: cinema, museums, exhibitions, festivals, theatres and live music fill the calendar throughout the year. Art and culture are part of the everyday urban landscape, creating a stimulating environment for research, creation and performance.
Bologna is famous for its 40+ km of porticoes – the longest in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – that shelter the city’s lively social life.
It has one of Europe’s largest and best-preserved medieval historic centres, packed with restaurants, taverns, bars and independent shops where students, artists and locals meet daily.
Known as “The Learned” for its ancient University (the oldest in the Western world) and “The Fat” for its world-renowned food tradition, Bologna is also a UNESCO Creative City of Music.
This unique blend of academic energy, culinary excellence and artistic experimentation makes the city exceptionally welcoming for young dancers training at BACH.
Generations of artists have called Bologna home: Giorgio Morandi, Guido Reni, the Carraccis, Guercino and Aspertini, among others.
The city has inspired Mozart, Carducci, Dante, Rossini and Nobel laureate Guglielmo Marconi, blending a rich artistic heritage with contemporary creative energy – perfect for AFI participants.