Alassio and the English – Since 1875

When Alassio Spoke English

There is a chapter in the history of Alassio (Province of Savona) that smells of tea, botanical gardens, and a British accent. It all began in 1875, when the Scotsman George Henderson Gibb and General William Montagu Scott McMurdo discovered this bay on the Riviera di Ponente and turned it into a refined Victorian holiday resort. McMurdo created Villa della Pergola, today one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy, and the town became a favorite refuge for English nobles and intellectuals. The festival Alassio and the English – Since 1875 celebrates this heritage with a whole month of scattered events.

An All-British May

The program intertwines historical memory and entertainment: historical-naturalistic walks with Professor Bruno Schivo, screenings of the "Bibliomovie Made in England" film festival at the civic library, tributes to David Bowie and Elton John, the "English May Wednesday Cup" golf tournament, tennis with English Tea Time, and bridge tournaments. The common thread is Alassio's English soul, told through music, sport, cinema, and traditions.

The Elgar International Music Festival

The musical heart of the festival is the Elgar International Music Festival (May 21-24), hosted in the evocative former Anglican church. Under the artistic direction of Sasha Grynyuk and with the coordination of Patrizia Zanardi together with the London Music Fund, the evening concerts bring young talents from the most prestigious British institutions to the city, from the Royal College of Music to the Royal Academy of Music, from the Guildhall School to the Yehudi Menuhin School.

A Heritage to Cherish

2026 marks twenty years since the rescue of Villa della Pergola by Silvia and Antonio Ricci, a conservation effort recognized internationally as a virtuous model. The festival is promoted by the Municipality of Alassio together with Alassio Destination Network, the Liguria Region, and the Local Tourism Committee.