Gran Ballo dell'Unità d'Italia. Il salotto diventa giardino

On Saturday May 16, 2026, in Piazza Carducci, the 30th edition of the Grand Ball of the Unification of Italy will take place, a traditional event organized by 8cento APS.

The 2026 historical reenactment project is inspired by the theme of greenery and focuses on 19th-century public and private gardens in Bologna—places of gathering, socializing, and entertainment, where salons extended outdoors and green spaces became stages for social life. The event is held in collaboration with the Civic Museum of the Risorgimento of Bologna.

This year, the initiative also benefits from new collaborations with Casa Carducci and the IU Rusconi Ghigi Foundation, and is part of the program of the Diverdeinverde festival, now in its 12th edition.

The Monumental Garden of Casa Carducci will provide the natural backdrop for the reenactment: one hundred dancers from 8cento APS, dressed in historical costumes, will animate the square with waltzes, polkas, contra dances, and quadrilles. The dances will alternate with a historical narrative led by Tita Ruggeri, portraying Louise Colet, a French writer visiting Bologna in the summer of 1860. Through her eyes, episodes, figures, and events of the city’s Risorgimento will come to life.

On the occasion of the Grand Ball of the Unification of Italy, the Civic Museum of the Risorgimento and Casa Carducci will remain open until 9:00 PM, with free admission starting at 3:30 PM.

In case of rain, the Grand Ball will be postponed to Sunday, May 17 at 6:00 PM.
All events during these days are free of charge.

Program:

Saturday May 16

• 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM: guided tours of the Monumental Garden
  The guided tours of the Monumental Garden of Casa Carducci are part of the Diverdeinverde festival program and are free of charge. Reservations can be made on the official website.
• 4:00 PM: guided tour of the Civic Museum of the Risorgimento
• 5:15 PM: joint presentation of the Monumental Garden with Ivan Bisetti and Mirtide Gavelli
• 6:00 PM: historical reenactment of the Grand Ball in Piazza Carducci (seating for 200 people, no reservation required)
• 8:00 PM: guided tour of the Civic Museum of the Risorgimento

Sunday May 17

• 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM: guided tours of the Monumental Garden
  The guided tours of the Monumental Garden of Casa Carducci are part of the Diverdeinverde festival program and are free of charge. Reservations can be made on the official website.