Many lovers of our region envy us "natives" as we are lucky enough to live a few miles from a wealth of historic, architectural and natural landmarks unparalleled anywhere else. Sometimes, though, living in a postcard-picture region has a long list of drawbacks that can turn your life into a nightmare. Ask the residents of the many towns and villages that are touched from mass tourism for reference. The arrival of hordes of tourists makes that many of the historic shops downtown are replaced by restaurants, bars, ice cream and souvenir shops overflowing with all sorts of tacky knick-knacks that have nothing to do with the products of our land. Lured by the prospects of renting to tourists, many landlords turn their flats into bed and breakfasts or places to offer on AirBnB. The locals, sooner or later, move away, starting a vicious cycle that in a few short years turns a vibrant community in a desert that comes to life only during the summer months. More and more towns are therefore turned into open air museums, where the most vital members of the community are slowly cast aside. Looking for the lowest common denominator to lure tourists have pushed local governments to cast aside centuries old traditions to try to reinvent themselves as beacons of "high culture". The events they organize sometimes lure wealthier tourists but have nothing to do with our real culture. How can we make sure that Tuscany isn't turned into a sort of "Renaissance Disneyland"? As far as we're concerned, we should go back to our centuries-old traditions. Our popular culture has nothing "low" about it, we should stop being ashamed of it. Tuscany lovers from all over the world would be thankful for it. What is your take on it? Are you aware of events and initiatives that are trying to recover old traditions in towns and cities in your area? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.nove.firenze.it/jazz-and-wine-in-montalcino-la-musica-conquista-le-terre-del-vino.htm
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/grosseto/cronaca/2021/06/13/news/feste-paesane-sagre-palii-marinari-e-non-il-covid-impone-un-altra-estate-di-rinunce-1.40385833
https://www.sienanews.it/toscana/siena/monteriggioni-inaugura-piazza-dante-barbero-si-puo-fare-cultura-anche-fuori-dalle-metropoli-qui-ce-lesempio/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=monteriggioni-inaugura-piazza-dante-barbero-si-puo-fare-cultura-anche-fuori-dalle-metropoli-qui-ce-lesempio
https://www.sienanews.it/in-evidenza/antonio-carapelli-tartuca-continuate-a-voler-bene-alle-contrade-sono-determinanti-per-la-citta/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=antonio-carapelli-tartuca-continuate-a-voler-bene-alle-contrade-sono-determinanti-per-la-citta
https://firenze.repubblica.it/tempo-libero/articoli/arte-e-fotografia/2021/06/12/news/cavriglia_parco_arte_museo_opere_arezzo-305756021/?rss
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/06/15/news/fino-al-25-giugno-volterra-e-esoterica-1.40394749
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/06/12/news/ottimismo-per-il-grande-ritorno-del-teatro-del-silenzio-a-lajatico-1.40384394
https://www.nove.firenze.it/perche-a-new-york-non-costruiscono-un-bellalbergo-nel-central-park.htm

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Children of the Son
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental