Artistic residency: Bamberg at Risonanze
June 17–22, Malborghetto
The Val Canale belonged for approximately 750 years (1007–1759) to the principality of the Bishopric of Bamberg, representing a rare example of German territory in what is now Italian soil. In 1007, Emperor Henry II, originally from Franconia, donated the Val Canale (including Tarvisio and surrounding areas) to the Bishop of Bamberg. The purpose was to provide the new bishopric with revenues and territories beyond Bavaria, while controlling a key transit route between the Germanic world and the Adriatic (today’s Pontebbana road). Politically, the Val Canale remained an enclave of the ecclesiastical principality of Bamberg until the 18th century. The Bishops of Bamberg exercised feudal and fiscal jurisdiction over the valley, albeit with significant local autonomy. Culturally and linguistically, the area developed a mixed German-Slovene-Italian character, shaped by its role as a crossroads and encouraged by princely migrations. In 1759, the last prince-bishop of Bamberg sold his territorial rights in Carinthia and the Val Canale to Austria (Maria Theresa). From that point, the Val Canale entered the stable Austrian orbit until its annexation to Italy in 1919 (Treaty of Saint-Germain).
During the Bamberg period, Malborghetto (originally Bamborghet) became one of the local administrative centres of the principality. Bamberg’s influence brought the German language to the area (used in administration and worship), ecclesiastical organisation modelled on German patterns, and intense colonisation and trade activity along the Tarvisio route connecting Germany to the Adriatic. Even today, strong ties persist between the city of Bamberg and the entire Val Canale.
In 2026, the Municipality of Malborghetto – Valbruna, in collaboration with the Kanaltaler Kulturverein, brings to the Risonanze festival a large delegation from the city of Bamberg: city administrators, the gardeners—always a historic city institution—professors, and young talents from the Bamberg School of Music. The residency will be an opportunity to strengthen ties between Bamberg and the Val Canale: the German guests will be able to explore the territory while fully experiencing the Risonanze festival in all its activities and facets. Professors and young musicians will have the chance to perform at the festival, engage with Italian and international artists, and discover our resonance wood and the luthiers who work it.
