The Enchantment of Liberty on Lake Maggiore
Positioned between the beautiful waters of Lake Maggiore and the majestic Alps, the town of Stresa hosts one of Italy’s most fascinating cultural events: Stresa Liberty. Whether you are a fan of the Bridgerton series or simply love the elegance and romanticism of the Regency era, this lakeside event is not to be missed. Art Nouveau, with its sophisticated fashion, floral motifs, and timeless elegance, finds a perfect setting in Stresa, a town already enchanting with its natural beauty.
Stresa Liberty offers a wide range of events and activities that allow visitors to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the period, making every moment memorable and fascinating. This year, a weekend in July was organized, featuring a rich and varied program on both Saturday and Sunday. The 2024 program includes:
- Concours d’Elegance and Carriage Parade along the Lake: even the youngest children can engage with Art Nouveau through creative workshops and educational activities that stimulate their curiosity and creativity.
- Historical Dances: actors in period costume bring the early 1900s back to life, parading through the streets and performing typical dances, evoking the elegant and refined society of that time.
- Antiques Exhibitions: markets featuring antiques and collectibles allow visitors to learn more about Art Nouveau. Lectures by art historians and architects offer an in-depth look at this style and its influence in Italy and around the world.
- Picnic in the Gardens and Golf Exhibition: all strictly in period clothing!
My afternoon began with a parade of carriages drawn by elegant horses, during which the best coachmen and escorts were awarded prizes. Afterwards, we were seated in the lobby of the Regina Palace Hotel, a place that alone deserves a visit for its magnificence. Here, the actors further enriched the atmosphere by playing the piano and gracefully bidding farewell to the ladies, who waved their fans. I swear, at times it didn’t feel like 2024! As evening approached and hunger set in, we chose a place along the lake to enjoy a meal while watching the sunset. Before heading home, we took a stroll around the town square, where there were historical dances, ice cream parlors, and various souvenir shops.
Who knows what will be on next summer’s program? What I can tell you is to check the social media pages a few months beforehand to book, for example, the picnic in the gardens, which requires a reservation and probably also period-appropriate attire, while everything else is free and open to the public.
You don’t have to dress in period clothing; you can simply stroll around the magnificent setting in your favorite clothes, take photos with the actors who embody the past, and enjoy a romantic meal by the lake.
Today, it is amazing to think how much our habits have changed. In an age when practicality often prevails over form, it is fascinating to see how much time and dedication were devoted to personal appearance in the past. Who would have imagined that while we shop for groceries in sweatpants and comfortable shoes today, people of that time walked the streets with impeccable elegance, as if every day were a fashion show?
But it is precisely this contrast that makes the experience at Stresa Liberty so powerful. It invites you to reflect on how much the world has changed and how, despite the passing years, the charm of the past continues to inspire us.
