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Combining Italian Art, Food & Thangka in Venice and Tuscany

Venice
If you’ve never visited Venice and you’re an art lover, I would strongly advice you to go there, as the city itself is a masterpiece! So what better place to organize a thangka course? This combination offers the best of both worlds, and that’s why I offer classes every year.

This time the group of students consisted of Italians, Germans, pople from Czech Republic, Austrians, Hungarians and Dutch people (like myself). We all enjoyed the most beautiful city of Italy, the gorgeous art of the Italian masters, the food, and each other’s company.

The course is held in a typical, old ‘Venetian Palazzo’, set on one of the many canals. Giovanna Carraro of the Shang Shung Institute of Namkhai Norbu organizes it, and they work hard to promote and preserve the old art forms of Tibet.

The ‘Palazzo’ is run by Gabriela & Enrico, who create a wonderful atmosphere and the most tasty lunches with typical Italian and Venetian dishes.

> View more pictures of the Thangka classes in Venice

> Even more pictures of the Venice art classes can be found here

Volterra
The subsequent weekend I was invited to teach in Volterra, Tuscany. When I arrived I saw a beautiful mansion with swimming pool (though it was too cold to swim!). It was set on a hill top, in between ancient olive trees and the typical Tuscan cipresses. The place is called Agriturismo Filettro and it is owned by Silvia Malacarne, who produces her own jam from her prune and apricot trees on the compound, as well as her own olive oil. She also bakes her own bread and offers cooking lessons. The compound houses 4 apartments which can be rented, something I would recommend.

> Check here the next Buddhist Art Classes in Italy