The Pordenone Civic Museums are preparing to welcome residents and visitors with a packed programme of events for the month of February, which will include the opening of two new photography exhibitions, themed guided tours, celebrations to mark ‘Darwin Day’, as well as family workshops and the return of special days dedicated to primary school children during the Carnival festivities.
THE PROGRAM
The month kicks off on Sunday 1 February with two events. At 3.30 pm, the Museo Archeologico del Friuli Occidentale presents ‘Imperium: the villa of Pordenone’, a themed guided tour that will take visitors on a journey of discovery through the artefacts of the Roman villa, with captivating stories that bring the grandeur of the Empire back to life, revealing the natural setting in which it was built, the materials used and other interesting facts. Also on Sunday 1 February, at 5.00 pm at the Museo di storia Naturale “Silvia Zenari”, “Discovering the Sky” will take place – a special afternoon organised in collaboration with local astronomy associations, featuring stargazing through telescopes, an activity open to the public of all ages. Booking is required by 11.00 am on Friday 30 January.
On Saturday 7 February at 5.00 pm, the Museo di storia Naturale “Silvia Zenari” will host the opening of the photographic exhibition “Images from the New World: Biodiversity of Latin American Fauna” by Patrizio Maniero, organised in collaboration with SOMSI, Società Operaia di Mutuo Soccorso di Pordenone. This is not merely a photographic exhibition, but a journey in its own right, showcasing the extraordinary biological richness of Central and South America through spectacular images of hunting scenes and unique adaptation strategies. The exhibition will be open until 3 May on Thursdays and Fridays from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 1.00 pm to 7.00 pm.
On Sunday 8 February at 3.30 pm, the Galleria Bertoia is hosting a guided tour of the exhibition “Robert Doisneau. The Gaze That Tells a Story”, an opportunity to immerse oneself in the photographs of the French master who immortalised the Ville Lumière like no other, the creator of the famous “Baiser de l’Hôtel de Ville”, that black-and-white kiss which has become a universal icon. Over a hundred photographs chronicle his immense career amidst cobbled streets, smoky cafés and working-class neighbourhoods.
On Thursday 12 February at 4.30 pm, the Museo di Storia Naturale is celebrating ‘Darwin Day’ with the themed tour ‘Beautiful by Nature! Animal Strategies for Winning Love’, a fascinating, interactive tour dedicated to Charles Darwin and his revolutionary theories of evolution. How did his insights change our understanding of life on Earth? What strategies do animals use to attract a mate? What does beauty mean to animals, and what drives them to choose one partner over another? Together with the guide, visitors will seek answers to these and many other questions.
On Saturday 14 February, to round off the ‘Sul Leggere’ exhibition programme, which forms part of the Verso Pordenone 2027 programme, the Museo Civico d'Arte - Palazzo Ricchieri will host the opening of an exhibition by the Austrian photographer Stefanie Moshammer: a highly personal exploration of the culture of family memory and the value of everyday objects. The artist will be in attendance.
On Saturday 14 February, from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm at the Museo di Storia Naturale, the monthly event “Saturday at the Museum: Let’s…” returns. This family workshop, held on the second Saturday of every month, offers young and old alike the chance to explore different themes and discover the treasures of the permanent collections. This month’s theme is ‘…a Carnival party at the bottom of the sea!’, exploring how certain marine animals manage to blend into the seabed. During the hands-on activity, children and families will recreate their own seabed scene populated by these colourful creatures.
On Sunday 15 February at 3.30 pm, to mark Carnival, the Museo d'Arte is hosting ‘Little and Big Carnival Designers’, a family workshop celebrating imagination, colour and fun. Whether using fine or simple fabrics, distinctive designs, or bright or subtle colours: what meanings might these have, and which are most suited to a Carnival mask? Inspired by some of the collection’s key works, participants will create a unique Carnival costume design.
The programme concludes on Sunday 22 February at 3.30 pm at the Museo di Storia Naturale with a guided tour of the photographic exhibition “Images from the New World: Biodiversity of Latin American Fauna” by Patrizio Maniero. The photographs and exhibits will show the public the hunting and adaptation strategies of numerous animals from Central and South America, providing food for thought on the fate of some of these animals.
CARNIVAL AT THE MUSEUM: THREE DAYS OF ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN (AGES 6–10)
To mark the Carnival celebrations, when schools are closed, the Civic Museums will be hosting three special days designed for children aged 6 to 10, focusing on art, nature and history. The themed activities will take place from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm each day at a different museum: Monday 16 February at the Museo di Storia Naturale, Tuesday 17 February at the Museo d'Arte, and Wednesday 18 February at the Museo Archeologico di Torre. Three days to have fun together and learn a few more interesting facts about the treasures each museum holds. Each morning will focus on a different theme, with creative activities, guided tours and in-depth sessions designed to make learning fun.
INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS FOR “CARNIVAL AT THE MUSEUM”
The activities taking place from 16 to 18 February, known as “Carnevale al Museo”, are subject to a fee of 30 euros for all three mornings. Registration is open until Monday 9 February, and it is also possible to take part on individual days. For information and bookings: prenotazionimusei@comune.pordenone.it or 380 4614951 (Monday to Friday, 9.00 am–12.00 pm, and on Tuesdays also from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm).
INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS FOR ACTIVITIES
Booking is recommended by the Thursday before the date of the activity. All activities, organised by the Mondo Delfino Cooperative, are included in the price of the admission ticket, and there is no additional charge for taking part in guided tours or workshops. For information and bookings: prenotazionimusei@comune.pordenone.it or 380 4614951 (Monday to Friday, 9.00 am–12.00 pm, and on Tuesdays also from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm).