12th Memorial Swim for Pippa Bacca on Lake Garda

The twelfth memorial for artist Pippa Bacca (1974–2008) will take place on August 17, 2019, in Salò, Italy. Organized by her family and supported by the municipality, the event invites the public to swim across the lake's branch, a beloved activity of the artist. Participants gather at 5:30 PM on the beach opposite Salò cemetery, receive a green balloon, and enter the water at 6 PM, swimming together to Piazza della Serenissima. The non-competitive act commemorates Bacca's message of peace and trust. Bacca, born Giuseppina Pasqualino di Marineo, was a performer and granddaughter of Piero Manzoni. She died during her performance 'Brides on Tour,' in which she hitchhiked through eleven conflict-ridden countries wearing a wedding dress to promote peace. After traveling through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, and Bulgaria with artist Silvia Moro, she separated from Moro in Istanbul and was raped and murdered by a driver. Her death sparked debate on violence against women in Italy and Turkey. Her story is the subject of a book by Giulia Morello titled 'Sono innamorata di Pippa Bacca. Chiedimi perché!'