Fiera delle Grazie 2025 in Curtatone: 600 years of Madonnara art and spirituality

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Carlo Bottani - Mayor - Municipality of Curtatone
The 600th anniversary of the Fiera delle Grazie, celebrated by the Madonnari, in one of Italy's most beautiful villages, with the Santuario delle Grazie, the Heavenly Mother awaits you, not only because small and great graces happen here every day, but because this village, this oasis of well-being, deserves to be seen by a jury of Madonnari, this year at an even higher level, with President Giordano Bruno Guerri and the awarding of the Fiore di Lotto prize to the President of the Garda Community, Mariastella Gelmini.
Don Giovanni Lucchi - Rector - Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Grace
This sanctuary is particularly dear to pilgrims from Mantua because it is linked to the presence of Mary, and so many people come here to pray and ask for graces. The ancient Fiera delle Grazie (Fair of Graces) harmonises with the celebration of the Feast of the Assumption, precisely because it is a place where Marian spirituality grows, strengthens and becomes more meaningful through the help of prayer, contemplation and meditation, which are particularly felt and encouraged in this place.
Kurt Wenner - Artist
It's always complicated to coordinate artists, that's for sure. However, we're talking about
people we've known for many years and who are all very good at their jobs, because they're all masters who have won twice, which means they've won the Grazie competition six or five times, so they work very well. I came here for the first time 40 years ago, more than 40 years ago, 41 years ago, and in the second year we filmed the National Geographic documentary.
This gave rise to other events such as Grazie, and these other events
created new Madonnari all over the world, and these new Madonnari return to Grazie to win and be recognised as either professionals or masters.
Paolo Bertelli - Art Historian
Madonnara art is an ancient tradition, with roots dating back to 1973, a fateful year, because it was here in Grazie that the first national meeting of Madonnari artists was held, giving rise to this tradition, which has become the oldest of its kind, as Grazie is the world's first venue for Madonnari festivals and has since become a benchmark that has inspired many other places around the world, from South America to North America. The “Per Grazia ricevuta” (By Grace Received) project sees the Madonnari competing to depict a selection of the most important Marian icons in the world. On the other hand, there is the Ianua Coeli project, meaning “Gate of Heaven”, given that we are in a jubilee context, so this design that we are creating with these 13 Madonnari masters working together becomes a holy door in itself.
Paola Artoni - Director - Madonnari Museum
The Madonnari Museum represents the Madonnari in Grazie all year round, providing a permanent way to consider this art form as part of the community.
Grazie is the home of the Madonnari, and the museum is both spread throughout the streets of the village and permanently located in this museum area. The Madonnari Museum aims to be a point of reference for street artists of Madonnara art from all over the world because this art has the characteristic of not being permanent, and we want to pass on its history, preserve it over time and tell it to those who will come after us.
Mariastella Gelmini - President - Comunità del Garda
This day at the Fiera delle Grazie is a great pleasure for me because, thanks to the mayor, I have had the opportunity to enjoy these experiences at a fair that has been held in this area for 600 years and during a national meeting of Madonnari, the 51st.
Certainly, the attention of the municipalities of Curtatone, Volta Mantovana, Castiglione delle Stiviere, Medole, Ponti sul Mincio, Mantua and the province represents
represent the desire of this area not to engage in parochialism of any kind but to encourage dialogue between the municipalities on the shores of Lake Garda and the Benaco hinterland. I think that all this is a moment for the people, for the community, that is, for being together, but it is also a spiritual occasion.
Giordano Bruno Guerri - President - Vittoriale degli Italiani
It was a surprise because, first of all, I didn't expect so much work, under the sun, at dawn, at night. It was also a satisfaction and a surprise because of the quality of the works. In fact, the jury had no doubts in choosing the most beautiful ones, of which there were many, but even those who did not win did some beautiful work. And then there was the enthusiasm of the people. We combined celebration, art, tourism and joy, socialising... what more could you want?

The Fiera delle Grazie in Curtatone celebrates its 600th anniversary, confirming its status as one of Italy's most evocative events. In the heart of the village of Grazie di Curtatone, recognised as one of Italy's most beautiful villages, the art of the Madonnari comes to life in front of the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Grace, a place of faith and pilgrimage.

From the international Madonnari competition, which attracts artists from all over the world, to the Madonnari Museum, which preserves the memory of this unique tradition, the Fair combines art, spirituality and popular culture. The jury, led by personalities such as Giordano Bruno Guerri, awarded prizes to the best works, while the prestigious Fiore di Lotto Prize was awarded to Mariastella Gelmini, president of the Garda Community.

An event that is not only a spectacle, but also an opportunity for community, tourism and promotion of the Mantua area, with the participation of local institutions and the support of the Municipality of Curtatone. The Fiera delle Grazie continues to be an international reference point for those who love Italian art, devotion and traditions.