with
Paolo Roberto Pianezza & Francesca Alinovi

GUEST STAR
Mirko Casadei

The Ocarina Festival is gearing up for a thrilling grand finale: Lovesick takes the stage and, for this special closing, welcomes an exceptional guest star, Mirko Casadei! It’s a close encounter between the international country-rock of the Bolognese duo and the radiant energy of a true icon of Italian music.

Paolo Roberto Pianezza and Francesca Alinovi bring to life the atmospheres of Remember My Name, the album recorded in Los Angeles, blending ’40s swing, western vibes, and authentic rock’n’roll. Mirko Casadei’s participation adds a fresh spark to the show, merging the tradition of his homeland with the electric and acoustic sound of Lovesick.

With lap steel solos, the unmistakable rhythm of brush-played double bass, and vocal harmonies that have won over stages across Europe, the evening celebrates the very best of live music. After collaborations with Ben Harper and Zucchero, Paolo and Francesca join Mirko to bid farewell to the Festival audience with a powerful and original musical dialogue.

See you under the stage to celebrate the Festival’s closing!

With the boys and girls from the Backstage program

Behind every spotlight that turns on, there is an invisible world made of coordination, care, and heartbeats. It is here, within the walls of the Torri dell’Acqua, that the young participants of the Fondazione Entroterre ETS Backstage Project have learned to give shape to dreams: from the effort of technical organization to the magic of programming.

Today, that journey blossoms in Il respiro dell’ocarina – Lo spirito della musica, the final outcome that sees the participants move from “behind the scenes” into the spotlight. On stage, a duet of ocarinas and a solo voice will tell the story of a community coming together.

There is Greta’s emotion, who sought connection with others; Elisa’s passion, who has been playing the ocarina for seven years and now trembles slightly at her debut; and Pietro’s curiosity, who wanted to peek behind the secrets of the theatrical machine. Together with Imen and all the others, they invite the citizens of Budrio to join—a call to share an authentic moment of life, where every note is the breath of a new generation.

MUSICAL PROGRAM

Inno alla gioia
Magica Favola – Arisa
Always With Me – Joe Hisaishi
Gabriel’s Oboe – Ennio Morricone
Piazza Grande – Lucio Dalla

from and with the Studio del Movimento Danza school
followed by Ocarina Ensemble Budrio

An evocative multi-part performance inspired by the famous hypnotic crescendo of Maurice Ravel. On stage, the choreographic collective A/M Project, joined by the students of the Studio del Movimento Danza school, will embody over fifteen minutes of obsessive repetition. The choreography explores the subtle boundary between the formal discipline of technique and the instinct of improvisation, translating into movement the rigorous and overwhelming structure of Ravel’s masterpiece.

Following this, the stage will be taken by the musical excellence of the Ocarina Ensemble Budrio (OEBU). The prestigious ensemble from Budrio will offer a performance dedicated to the unique sounds of clay, bringing to the stage the mastery of an instrument that stands as a symbol of tradition and international sonic research.

Two distinct moments united by the same artistic rigor: from the physicality of contemporary dance to the purity of breath, in a journey that celebrates the power of rhythm and the beauty of choral melody.

presentation with the author David Ramos

Classically trained musician, David Erick Ramos has been playing the ocarina since 2006. He discovered the instrument through Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and has since built one of the largest platforms dedicated to the ocarina in the world. Through his YouTube channel, he has surpassed 100 million views with musical performances, tutorials, and educational content.

As an author, David wrote How to Play Ocarina, a comprehensive method designed to make the instrument accessible to beginners while maintaining a solid technical foundation. The book has become a key resource for students and teachers worldwide.

His upcoming publication, The Ocarina Through Time, is an ambitious illustrated historical volume documenting the evolution of the modern ocarina and the makers who shaped its development. Based on his personal collection and years of research, the book aims to preserve and organize the global history of the instrument for future generations.

Through his performances, teaching, writing, and digital content, David continues to promote clarity, historical rigor, and artistic growth within the ocarina community.

With the Ocarina Ensemble of the G.B. Martini Conservatory of Bologna
Special guest, Gent Hoxha multi-instrumentalist from Kosovo

followed by
screening of the documentary Ocarina of Runik

This event is born as a gesture of gratitude and reciprocity: a meeting that honors the invitation received from the Ocarina Ensemble of the G.B. Martini Conservatory of Bologna on the occasion of the event dedicated to the ocarina in Kosovo. Today, the Festival returns the hospitality, in turn hosting the sounds and traditions of that land.

The evening will open with a performance by the Ocarina Ensemble, followed by the special guest Gent Hoxha. A multi-instrumentalist of extraordinary talent, Hoxha will guide the audience in discovering ancestral instruments such as the Fyell (folk flute) and the Çiftelia (a two-string instrument), performing traditional songs that traverse the landscapes of Albania and Kosovo.

To crown the journey, the documentary “Ocarina of Runik” will be screened. The work celebrates the Neolithic prototype of our beloved wind instrument, discovered in the region, recounting its revival thanks to the dedication of master Shaqir Hoti. Through his work of study and reconstruction, the ocarina has returned to being a living symbol, capable of raising awareness among new generations about the importance of preserving a millenary cultural and spiritual heritage that unites us all.

Curated byDiapason Progetti Musicali APS Association
with
the pupils of music courses: 1st Year, Intermedio and SenzatempO

the students of Public Schools:
IC16 Bologna OcarinOrchestra
Scuola di Musica “M. Mascagni” di Medicina
IC Statale di Taglio di Po, Ariano nel Polesine e Corbola – Plesso “E. Maestri”
IC Statale n. 1 Imola
eL’Isola dei Piccoli Passi APS Association

and the duet from Japan
Flowers of Hiroshima

The final performance of Ocarinando celebrates this unique instrument as a true bridge between cultures, capable of starting from the deep roots of Budrio and ideally embracing the entire planet. The sonic journey unfolds through a constant dialogue between different traditions: from Italian folk melodies to the repertoires of continental Europe, reaching as far as evocative international influences. In this context, the ocarina confirms itself as a universal voice, able to interpret with the same intensity Emilian liscio, European folk, and overseas sounds, demonstrating a versatility that transcends every geographical barrier.

The ocarina at the center of the ensemble

Alongside its international scope, great emphasis is placed on the educational value of the project. The ocarina ceases to be merely a traditional instrument and becomes the cornerstone of innovative learning paths, where ensemble music blends with continuous technical growth. The audience will be able to experience engaging performances in which students and teachers share the stage, giving life to an artistic exchange that combines the joy of play with the precision of execution. This closing event is not just a concert, but a testament to how musical learning can transform a historical tradition into a modern, vibrant, and accessible language for all.

Curated by Associazione Diapason Progetti Musicali APS

The Ocarinando project continues with its second phase, bringing the stage to life with the enthusiasm of over 200 young musicians. This key stage, organized by the Diapason Progetti Musicali APS Association, expands its reach to include not only the Budrio Educational Directorate but also the Primary and Lower Secondary Schools of the State Comprehensive Institute. The goal remains the same: to entrust the historical and artistic value of the ocarina to the new generation, making the students active participants in local culture.

The event unfolds in two engaging sessions.
The first session features a large group of over 100 students, combining the voices and instruments of the fourth- and fifth-grade students from Vedrana and Mezzolara Primary Schools with those from the secondary school.
The second session showcases 85 students from the Budrio Educational Directorate, from classes 4°D, 4°E, 5°D, and 5°E.

Together, these young musicians create a collective narrative across different age groups, demonstrating how the ocarina tradition remains a living language, capable of uniting the entire school district in a single, vibrant community project.

4th and 5th grade students from the Budrio School District
Curated by Diapason Progetti Musicali APS Association

The Ocarinando project, a cornerstone of local music education, will dedicate this first session entirely to the fourth- and fifth-grade classes of the Budrio Educational Directorate. Organized by the Diapason Progetti Musicali APS Association, the initiative aims to teach new generations the historical and artistic value of the ocarina, turning students into young ambassadors of the city’s tradition.

The event involves 143 students from the fourth and fifth grades, ready to pass on the historical and artistic significance of the city’s symbolic instrument.

1st Session (Performance: 10:00–10:45)
The first group includes 68 students from classes 4°A, 4°F, 5°B, and 5°C.

2nd Session (Performance: 12:00–12:45)
The second session involves 75 students from classes 4°B, 4°C, 5°A, and 5°F.

This event sets the tone for the official celebrations, marking the first step in integrating the school community into the city’s cultural identity and the Festival program.

The OCALAB project is a high-level educational and cultural initiative organized by the Diapason Progetti Musicali APS Association of Budrio, created to celebrate the ocarina as the beating heart of local tradition. Through a playful and hands-on approach, the workshop aims to make the city’s iconic instrument accessible to children aged 9 to 11.

Participation is open to everyone and requires no prior musical experience, promoting an inclusive environment focused on the joy of discovering sound. Activities take place at the Budrio Municipal Auditorium, where the Association provides ocarinas on free loan to support learning and ensure an engaging experience.

Curated by Diapason Progetti Musicali APS

The guided tour of the Ocarina Museum in Budrio is the perfect cultural complement to the hands-on workshop, offering an in-depth experience for anyone wishing to discover the magic of this instrument. Designed to engage families and the wider community, the tour highlights the local historical heritage while passionately conveying the significance and evolution of the ocarina over time.

The visit unfolds as a journey through music and history, bringing the instrument’s origins to life through a highly interactive approach. Led by experts, the explanations avoid rigid theory in favor of an engaging method that sparks curiosity. A highlight of the one-hour tour is the live sound demonstration, providing a unique opportunity to appreciate the ocarina’s musical nuances and versatility—a simple yet extraordinary object capable of transforming clay into pure melody.