264 open-air, free events in 12 months, open to everyone not only in terms of accessibility but for their inclusive and participatory spirit. On the back of these numbers, BAM – the Milan Library of Trees – has entered its fifth year. It will offer action-packed and diverse events and cultural initiatives with a common denominator: its 4 pillars, namely #openairculture, #nature, #wellness, and #education. A new “sunny season” in the green heart of Portanuova that involves its community in a stimulating and inventive schedule designed by Francesca Colombo, BAM’s Cultural Activity Manager.
The BAM season opened on 19 March with the traditional “BAM Season Day: arriva la Primavera!” (here comes the spring!), one of the 4 special days to celebrate the changes of seasons on the spring and autumn equinoxes and the summer and winter solstices. The festive days paying tribute to outdoor life and nature will continue on 18 June with Hello Summer, a profusion of classical, jazz and pop notes included in a harp concert at breakfast, a musical picnic in good company, and a mind-blowing rock music sunset. With the arrival of autumn, BAM will turn (on Sunday 24 September) into a big stage glowing with colours along an introspective path of rendezvous, open-air lectures and workshops for kids and adults. Sunday 17 December will end the quartet of Season Days with an event dedicated to winter and the soft hues of nature retreating and slowing down.
Along with the 4 events astride the seasons, from 10 May to 4 October the 2023 BAM schedule will be enriched by the 5 Dialoghi per l'Ambiente (environmental talks). This year’s topic will be “Food Planet. Nurturing Humanity and Respecting the World.” in a partnership with the Corriere della Sera foundation.
Following the success of 2022, perhaps the most awaited attraction will return from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 May: the 2nd edition of the BAM Circus - the Festival of Wonders at the Park, featuring events to keep children and adults on the edges of their seats through street drama and contemporary circus as celebrations of verticality, air, gravity, and balance. Don’t miss out on the spectacular tightrope walk between Bosco Verticale and the UniCredit Tower by Andrea Loreni (a spine-tingling feat retracing the legendary Philippe Petit who walked between the Twin Towers of New York in 1974), followed by aerial silks performances paying tribute to the 80th anniversary of The Little Prince and the première of BAUCI, based on Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino on the writer’s 100th anniversary.
The Back to the City Concert - La grande musica classica nel parco (great classical music in the park), held on Sunday 17 September, is a must for returning vacationers and one of the most awaited events, featuring the Orchestra Giovanile Luigi Cherubini founded by Riccardo Muti and also starring cello player Giovanni Sollima.
Lest we forget, BAM offers weekly events dedicated to nature (BAM Walks - Design, Architecture and Nature, Botanical Treasure Hunts for families, BAM Workshops for Kids and Adults, and Vegetable Garden Workshops) and wellness (BAM YOGA Open Air, Senior Fitness, BAM Workout Bootcamps, and training sessions for BAMFriend with our Wellness Partner, Nike), always outdoors.
Moreover, summer Thursdays will dance to the beat of BOOM BAM! Sunset Music in the Park, thanks to a partnership with Saturnino and friends. These events will feature a large variety of music genres and BAM will serve as a launchpad for young artists.
Once again, BAM is a unique model for access to culture in Italy: a harmonic mix of music, art and reflection giving life to moments of discussion, sharing, and fun.
BAM’s attention to its community of BAMFRIEND continues and finds new expressions through benefits and promotions at Portanuova shops, restaurants, and cafés, and with Milan’s cultural institutions. Moreover, starting in April BAMFRIEND will have exclusive access to three weekly training sessions that Nike – BAM’s Wellness Partner – will organize on the lawn of the Library of Trees.
“BAM is designed to improve people’s quality of life in the city and offers extraordinary cultural experiences among the urban greenery.”
Kelly Russell Catella, Managing Director of the Riccardo Catella foundation
See the full BAM 2023 event schedule at: https://bam.milano.it/