"Machines for Peace" in Brussels: Italian shoulder-carried machines on display

On April 22, 2026 an exhibition titled "Machines for Peace" opened at the Italian Cultural Institute in Brussels to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the network of Italian shoulder-carried machines recognized by UNESCO. The event highlights the cultural, religious and identity value of these popular traditions.

The exhibition features photographs and multimedia content that explain the history and significance of several emblematic shoulder-carried machines. It stresses how these rituals act as tools of social cohesion and intergenerational cultural transmission.

• Macchina di Santa Rosa (Viterbo) – a religious procession involving the carrying of a monumental structure on the shoulders of the faithful.
• Faradda dei Candelieri (Sassari) – a tradition rooted in community practices with long-standing local meanings.
• Gigli di Nola (Campania) – machines and popular songs that reflect historical forms of civic participation.
• Varia di Palmi (Calabria) – a tradition noted for its strong local identity and symbolic importance.

The exhibition emphasizes that these events are living practices preserving collective memories, promoting regional identity and supporting the international visibility of Italy's intangible heritage.

Speakers at the opening highlighted the role of institutional support in promoting these traditions abroad and the need to protect and make known UNESCO-recognized practices.

Practical info: the exhibition opened on April 22, 2026 at the Italian Cultural Institute in Brussels. Visitors should check the Institute's official channels for updated visiting hours and related events.