Abruzzo News: 24 March 2000

For two months L'Aquila and surrounding places will be the natural filming set for a film on Padre Pio, which will be broadcast by year's end. The friar from Pietralcina is dear to the hearts of all Italians. Director Pasquale Squitieri, starring Michele Placido. The old abandoned hospital will be used for the scenes with the old hospital in Apulia, and the ancient palaces will simulate the Vatican. Outdoor scenes at Calascio. This will be the latest in a long series of films shot in the area: Continuavano a chiamarlo Trinità, Ladyhawke, Fellini's La Strada, King David, Liliana Cavani's Milarepa and Francesco, La piovra, Occhiopinocchio, Il sole anche di notte.

From 2 to 9 April a "Museo diffuso" project will be enacted with guided tours to archeological sites, ancient towns and museums throughout Abruzzo. Bus tickets at a special price of 8000 Lire, guided tour free. Featured destinations: 2 april Castel di Sangro, Alfedena and Pescasseroli; 3 april Sulmona; 4 april, Peltuinum (Prata d'Ansidonia) and Amiternum; 5 april Campli and Teramo, Mostra sui Piceni; 6 april Vasto; 7 april Lanciano and Crecchio; 8 april Guardiagrele, Lama dei Peligni, Juvanum; 9 aprile Schiavi d'Abruzzo and Monte Pallano. Bookings tel: 0871/331668-330955.

At 15.30 tomorrow in Pescasseroli the 7th edition of "Il Parco in fiore". New green areas will be inaugurated, a butterfly garden, a nature center gazebo. This year also a green center in the Valle del Giovenco at Ortona dei Marsi will be opened for botanics and ecological gardening.