Banksy to Mudec in Milan. Nature documentaries at the Sondrio Festival. The World Forum Urban Forest in Mantua and an 18th-century livestock fair in Codogno. For a flavour of Christmas, try Como Città dei Balocchi and Festa del Torrone in Cremona. What’s on in Lombardy from 16 to 30 November.

THE ART OF BANKSY. A VISUAL PROTEST
Milan | 21 November 2018 - 14 April 2019
It wasn’t planned, but the Banksy exhibition opens just over one month after the artist became front page news by creating a work that shredded itself moments after being auctioned for £1 million. Creative act or a marketing stunt? The mysterious street artist became a pop icon by drawing secret messages of peace and protest on walls that have been seen around the world. The Mudec is the first public museum to stage a personal exhibition. This unauthorised monograph includes more than 70 works comprising paintings, sculptures and prints. It ranges from stencils to Modifies Oils, in which the Bristol-based artist points fun at the Great Masters. Murals will be presented by means of photographs and videos taken in the works’ original locations. Find out why his works have been so successful and take up the invitation to let your heart soar
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SONDRIO FESTIVAL
Sondrio | Until 25 November 2018
The secret life of eagles, the most famous tiger in the world, the last white walls of the Arctic. All this plus the aurora dance in Tasmania and the smallest mountain chain on the planet. The subjects of these documentaries, selected from among the best in the world, are a show in themselves. If you love nature, even on the screen, it’s really worth planning a long weekend in Valtellina.  The international Sondrio Festival is one of a kind.  Practically all the works are nature documentaries shot in parks and protected areas around the world. The 32nd Festival showcases 13. Enjoy exploring faraway places in comfort and let yourself be inspired by tales recounted by the documentary-makers, naturalists and rangers who flock to Sondrio. 
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FESTA DEL TORRONE
Cremona | 17 - 25 November 2018
The air in Cremona is fragrant with almonds and honey. The Festa del Torrone (aka nougat) will take place from 17 to 25 with the usual events and entertainment. The theme of this year's Festival is the 20th century and the focus is on Mina, the Italian singer once dubbed the Tiger of Cremona. She will be celebrated by concerts, events and a giant sweet sculpture. Legend has it that torrone nougat was created here, in the town of Torrazzo, to mark the wedding of Bianca Maria Visconti and Francesco Sforza. This wedding, celebrated with great fanfare, will be recreated on Sunday 18 November in a historical parade of great ladies, knights, acrobats, musicians and flag-bearers. On the same day, the festival’s guest of honour will be the pastry chef Damiano Carrara, the face of Bake Off Italia. Make your way between the stalls in the old town centre and choose a slab of toothsome nougat: classic, chocolate flavoured, with pistachios, with hazelnuts and more…
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CITTÀ DEI BALOCCHI
Como | 24 November 2018 - 6 January 2019
Christmas is arriving early on the River Lario too: 24 November will see the return of Como Città dei Balocchi [City of Toys], an event beloved of children and families that promises its usual delights. From Piazza Cavour to Piazza Duomo, the city will be transformed into an enchanted village with the wooden houses of Christmas markets piled high with delicacies, sweets and gifts This year too, adults and children can have fun skating (or taking their first wobbly steps) around the ice skating rink, one of the very few to boast a lake view. In the late afternoon, a play of light and colours brings back the magic, evoking fairytale landscapes on building facades. 
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CODOGNO AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Codogno | 20 – 21 November 2018
The Codogno agricultural Fair is something to be experienced at least once in your life. It is the most important livestock fair in the Lodi area, established in1791 “by royal appointment” to promote trade in the Province. Now it covers an area of 45,000 m², where farmers show off their prize animals. Cattle, pigs and goats can be seen, together with agricultural machinery and local food products. The programme also includes guided tours for schools, milk processing demonstrations, historical farm cart parades and pony riding. Entrance cost: 3 euro.
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MANTOVA WORLD FORUM URBAN FOREST
Mantua | 28 November 2018 - 1 December 2018
The World Forum on Urban Forests chose Mantua for its first event. Discussions will take place about how to make our cities greener, healthier and happy places. The speakers will include architects, landscape designers, urban wild place designers, researchers and visionaries. The lectures will be for experts but also open to the public: the forum website has reopened for registrations to attend one or more days (the three-day ticket costs €160, including lunches and coffee breaks).
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Photo: akeem.eu