(ANSA) - TURIN - Art, folklore and a series of live shows are lined up for Turin's Natale coi Fiocchi ('Chrismas with Snowflakes') festival, including a unique opportunity to admire Michelangelo's Madonna with Child, in a rare showing.

''This year we have prepared a series of absolutely top-quality initiatives, which seek to blend tradition and the avant-garde'', commented Turin Culture Councillor Maurizio Braccialarghe. ''The residents, just like the tourists who are arriving in our city in ever greater numbers, will be able to enjoy a city steeped in an extraordinary atmosphere''.

Natale coi Fiocchi is the umbrella name selected by the administration for a host of events, including exhibitions; popular, classical and religious music concerts; gospel choirs; classical dance and street dance; street singers; poets; pipers; buskers; jazz virtuousos; jugglers clowns; illusionsists and stilt-walkers. One of the biggest events of the season will be a concert led by Renzo Arbore with his Italian Orchestra in Piazza San Carlo.

The Michelangelo masterpiece will be on display at Piazza Madama from December 7 until February 19, while Piazza Castello will host the charming Emanuele Luzzati Nativity Scene as of December 1, featuring 90 carved wooden figures. Those wandering through the old streets of the historic city centre will be treated to an outdoor exhibition, 'Luci d'Artista', a series of light installations created by some of the best known names from contemporary art world. Arrivals to the Porta Nuova train station will be greeted by Christmas carollers. The Umberto I, Subalpina and San Federico Galleries will allow visitors to enjoy the rehearsal concerts for the Europa Cantat music festival, with singers from the Teatro Regio and pupils from the Civic School of Musical Training.

The Medieval Town will resound with Renaissance music, providing a backdrop to the Noel exhibition, offering a unique perspective on ancient Christmas musical traditions through films, instruments and explanatory panels.

Piazza Carlo Alberto will host an ice-rink, with a traditional Christmas market in Borgo Dora, with 140 exhibitors from across Europe, while the shopping streets will be decorated with window prints provided by the local authorities.

An entire segment of Natale coi Fiocchi is devoted to folklore and tradition. The nativity tale will be presented at the Cavallerizza on January 6 and 7, in a piece entitled ''Terra Cometa - Storie di Magi, viaggi e omaggi'' (Coment Land - Stories of Wise Men, Voyages and Tributes). This year is also the anniversary of 150 years of Italian Unification, in celebration of which Turin is exploring the values, traditions and art from across the country's different regions. This means that visitors to the city may encounter any range of activities, from Sardinian shepherds' songs to poetry competitions typical of central Italy, to street musicians complete with horn and drums, or cheerful marching bands such as the Quintetti d'Ottone.

Music will be the link between Turin's various spiritual cultural events, offering a universal language that unites different faiths and different areas. Eleven churches, together with the Valdese Temple, will host concerts and readings, while the Mole Antonelliana Temple Hall will present a special Hanukkah celebration on December 21. The Taiba Cultural Centre and the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in San Salvario will stage performances by the mysterious dervishes of Sam'A, celebrating the Sufi Muslim faith. On December 26, the Orthodox Christian community will ceberate in Piazzale Valdo Fusi with two large-scale choirs, while the Church of Via Accademia Albertina will stage an exhibition of icons.

There will of course also be dozens of initiaves for children, starting with the brightly coloured trains that will wend their way through the historic centre in search of Toret, the city's new icon, who will be dressed as Santa Claus. The Valentino Park will host life-sized dinosaurs from December 2 to February 5, with an excavation area designed to introduce children to archaeology. From December 8 until January 8, Piazzale Valdo Fusi will give younger visitors the chance to create original Christmas tree decorations from recycled materials. (ANSA).