45th Cervia Kite Festival returns with Indonesia as guest of honor

The 45th edition of the Festival dell'Aquilone (Kite Festival) will take place on the beach of Pinarella di Cervia from April 24 to May 4, 2025. Organized by Artevento, it is the world's longest-running kite festival, originating in China about 2,500 years ago. Last year's edition attracted 250 guest artists, 2,000 participants from 50 countries, 600,000 visitors, and 107,659 hotel stays. This year's guest of honor is Indonesia, with the largest-ever delegation from Eastern countries including Cambodia, China, Korea, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Special guests include fisherman Vito Fiorino, rescuer of 47 Eritrean refugees; the Orchestra del Mare led by Arnoldo Mosca Mondadori (recipients of the Special Prize for Flight Merit 2025); Connor Donar, America's Got Talent finalist; a Maori delegation from New Zealand; and the Mutoid Waste Company. The festival will screen the documentary 'A nord di Lampedusa' by Davide Demichelis and Alessandro Rocca, with discussions by NGOs ResQ People Saving People and Mediterranea. The program includes art kite flying, giant 3D air sculptures, acrobatic performances, the Giardini del Vento (wind gardens), educational workshops, environmental installations, the Fiera del vento market, night shows, and the Cervia's Cup Italian Acrobatic Flight Championship (May 2-4). Admission is free.