The Ottobrata in Montenero – 3rd edition

The OTTOBRATA returns to Montenero, an itinerant artistic procession dedicated to the Madonna, 3rd edition in the afternoon of Sunday, October 5th. Sunday, October 5th, 2025, the “Ottobrata” event dedicated to the Madonna of Montenero will take place in Montenero. In the historical tradition of the city of Livorno, the “Ottobrata” has certainly been one of the most representative events for having combined the irreverent character of the city with the theme of the sacred, around the figure of the Madonna of Montenero. After all, the Madonna has always been a religious figure above all parties, considered the mother of all, who reconciles with her welcome, human diversities and fragilities. In the history of Livorno, and not only, the Madonna of Montenero is positioned, proclaimed patroness of Tuscany in 1946, celebrated every year on September 8th.

The “Ottobrata” was the celebration reserved exclusively for the people of Livorno, and it was held on the first Monday of October. The idea is to trace back the “Ottobrata” festival in a contemporary key with the intention of uniting the city with the Montenero district, which will be the absolute protagonist of the evening. The Madonna of Montenero, over the centuries, has always been invoked and honored in difficult times by the people of Livorno, just visit the ex-votos to witness, and that’s why it seems necessary and significant to gather the community, and dedicate a day of celebrations, as in tradition. The festival will take place within a route that starts from piazza delle Carrozze, where the unveiling of the PGR work (for a received grace) takes place until you reach the square of Montenero, an itinerary made up of multidisciplinary artistic interventions (singing, music, dance and theater, about 60 presences on stage), which will converge, at sunset, in piazza del Santuario with the finale in the Church. The evening will end with a convivial gathering in the square with cutting boards and wine, typical of the “Ottobrata”. The “Ottobrata” event, curated by Fabrizio Brandi, is organized by the ViviMontenero association with the participation of the Municipality of Livorno, under the patronage of the Diocese of Livorno and At Tuscany bus lines, with the support of the Misericordia of Montenero, and the support of the young new merchants of the square of Montenero. The Unicoop Etruria Livorno members section has produced the “Cuore dell’Ottobrata” sweets. ViviMontenero, proud of all the participants involved, invites the citizens to participate. The detailed program with the schedules is attached to the poster. The Funicolare will be open and free until 8:00 pm In case of rain, the event will take place inside the marian hall.

The program for Sunday, October 5th

4:00pm – Meeting in piazza delle Carrozze

5:30pm – Arrival in piazza del Santuario

Itinerant artistic procession with:
– The Wandering Narrators: Michele Crestacci, Marco Azzurrini, Luca Barsottelli, Fabrizio Brandi, Lorenzo Sansoni
– Choir: Goccia di Voci
– Nicolò Ximenes
– Zoe Notartomaso and the Livornese Dancers
– Dimitri Grechi Espinoza and the Banda Orchestrino

6:30pm – Aperitif in the square in the spirit of the ancient Ottobrate at LA MADONNINA and PIZZERIA da GREG. The sweet “Cuore dell’Ottobrata” thanks to Unicoop Etruria

Free Funicolare open until 8:00 pm.