Imagine a huge extent of green that fades gently into the blue of lake Trasimeno, framed all around by the rolling Umbrian hills. Imagine that, raising your head skywards, your gaze is met by the splendid spectacle of hundreds of kites, an array of interwoven colours dancing across the sky like butterflies. Just a dream? No, this is “Coloriamo I Cieli”, one of the most important kite and hot air balloon festivals which is organized during Springtime in Umbria at Castiglione del Lago every year at the town’s disused airfield, now a national park. Extending over an area of ten hectares of unspoilt green land, this year the XVII edition of the festival will be held from 30 April to 4 May, and once again promises a range of attractions, dedicated to the theme of kites and hot air balloons, but not only. In recent years the festival has been more and more associated with respect and protection of the environment, the promotion of peace and the beauty of the local area and its produce, and thus has involved local schools and organizations. The festival has its roots in the 1980’s, and came about in 1982 as the result of a meeting between Oliviero Oliveri, president of the Italian kite Association,  the Comune of Castiglione del Lago, and the tourist agencies of Castiglione del Lago. In 1984 the event went “international” capable of pulling around fifty thousand visitors and hundreds of kite enthusiasts from around Italy and the world, above all from northern Europe. Last year’s edition saw enthusiasts from as far a field as China, Lebanon, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Germany, France, Turkey . . . In particular we have to remember the Englishman Peter Waldron, Yves Laforest from Canada, Tom Pratt and Malcom Goodman. The hot air ballooners, most of them also “internationals” make their presence felt, adding colour and grace, as well as the possibility of a ride. This year there will also be a group of mini hot air balloons, real artistic hand painted masterpieces. About 20,000 kites are built by school children in and around the territory of Umbria and Tuscany and work gets underway well before the start date of the festival. Once again the official presentation of the festival will be held on 22 February in Milan at the “Borsa International del Turismo”, winding its way through a series of appointments, from the green expanse of the park area to art exhibitions in the centre of Castiglione del Lago  - one of the centrepieces of the “Città Slow” organization, and the “Borghi più Belli d’Italia”.  The event opens officially on 15 March when the Palazzo della Corgna hosts the exhibition dedicated to the history of kite flying On the 24 April there will be the inauguration of the photo exhibiton entitled “Sulle ali... della memoria” documenting the history of the ex-military airport from the late 1800’s to the after war period. From the 30 April to 4 May there will also be numerous initiatives to promote local produce and specialities, such as the show market “Qualità Trasimeno”, tastings, initiatives involving local schools, kite exhibitions, toy / play/ freetime workshops, cinema dedicated to nature which last year saw the participation of Folco Quilici, the release of birds of prey into the wild by “Lipu” Trasimeno and also the “Ludobus” poetry, the chance of a ride in a hot air balloon, environment fayre for young people, artistic and many other itineries. There are also some important new features this year. On the 2 May there will be a meeting to present the “Carta di qualità” of the exhibition, with the aim of adding quality and recognition to the many sagras and smaller festivals that take place in and around the territory. On the 2 and 3 May there will be the presentation  of the “Borsa del turismo per ragazzi”: a new touristic initiative promoted and organized by the Tourism Promotion Office of Umbria. Also, experts in environmetal issues will meet on 3 May for a rural development plan. The closing ceremony takes place on 4 May when there will be a sneak preview of the Trasimeno Blues festival, with a concert by Gegè Telesforo & Groovinators. Last but not least there will be the prize giving for the lottery which takes place during the event – all the information about the event, its sponsors, the local territory and lots more being contained in a free magazine which will be distributed. Having been some days in preparation, a splendid time is guaranteed for all....