EVENT LOG: CARMAGNOLA BRICKS AND FRIENDS 2025

 CARMAGNOLA BRICKS AND FRIENDS

On May 17–18, 2025, Carmagnola hosted the third edition of Bricks & Friends, a free festival dedicated to the LEGO® universe, transforming the city center into a vibrant exhibition and play area. The event took place across six iconic locations: the Town Hall, Church of San Rocco, Civic Library, Antichi Bastioni, the school gym on Via Marconi, and Piazza Bobba, covering over 2,000 square meters of exhibition space.

Event Highlights:

• Spectacular Exhibits: More than 100 exhibitors showcased extraordinary creations, including dioramas of iconic monuments such as the Mole Antonelliana, the Lighthouse of Genoa, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

• Contemporary Art Exhibit: Roman artist Stefano Bolcato presented original works that reinterpreted famous portraits from art history in LEGO® minifigure style, hosted at the Celeghini Art Gallery.

• Inclusive Workshops: The association “Io mi slego” organized creative activities for children and teens, promoting inclusion and active participation.

• Themed Areas: The festival featured zones dedicated to robotics, remote-controlled models, LEGO® set trading and sales, as well as a new talk area for insights and curiosities.

• Family Activities: Highlights included the “Builders of Tomorrow” contest, a themed concert by the Carmagnola Philharmonic Society, and the “Bricks & Friends Passport,” a leaflet for collecting stamps at each event location.

The event was a great success, attracting visitors of all ages and confirming its status as one of the most anticipated events in Piedmont for LEGO® enthusiasts.

As The Bricks Box, we had the pleasure of visiting the event, and what follows is what we were able to see during our Sunday morning visit.

I'd like to start with the highlight of our visit: a deconsecrated little church, beautifully transformed into a truly spectacular exhibition space for the occasion. Inside, some of the most famous and iconic creations of the entire event were on display. Among them stood out incredibly detailed LEGO® reproductions of some of Italy’s most renowned architectural landmarks: the Hunting Lodge of Stupinigi (by Piemonte Brick Lug), the Mole Antonelliana (by Marco and Luca Giannitti), the Lighthouse of Genoa (By Liguria Brick), and the ever-iconic Tower Bell of Pisa (Orange Team Lug), just to name a few. A stunning showcase of creativity and craftsmanship that left visitors of all ages in awe.

By Liguria Brick

By Marco and Luca Giannitti

By Piemonte Brick Lug

By Orange Team Lug

By Liguria Brick

Unfortunately, not having much time during our visit, I missed Stefano Bolcato’s exhibition, which I would have loved to see in person. Therefore, I will now continue with the narration of what impressed me most among the displayed works.

First of all, I saw Silvio Giovetti’s 1920s diorama, which was further expanded for the occasion, showcasing even more details and offering a deeper immersion into the atmosphere of those years. His imaginary Gothic cathedral captivated the audience with its grandeur and meticulous attention to detail.

By Silvio Giovetti

Right after, I stopped to admire the medieval diorama created by Sandro Damiano, an artwork that instantly transported you to a small village from times long past. Among its most charming features were a watermill perfectly integrated into the landscape, a river flowing through the scene, and a delightful stone bridge connecting the two banks. A richly atmospheric composition, crafted with meticulous attention to every detail.

By Sandro Damiano

Among the works that impressed me the most was definitely the Pala Baskin by Michele Cocco. A truly original model, it depicts a gymnasium set up for baskin—an inclusive sport that allows players with and without disabilities to compete together on the same team. The attention to detail was remarkable: bleachers filled with spectators, a meticulously crafted playing field, and an overall setting that perfectly conveyed the message of inclusion and sportsmanship. A creation that combines technique, creativity, and meaningful values.

Pala Baskin by Michele Cocco

Another noteworthy creation was the agricultural diorama by Maurizio Cresto, a highly detailed and realistic representation of rural life. The model featured perfectly reconstructed greenhouses, an area dedicated to beekeeping with miniature hives and bees, neatly arranged crop fields, and lush orchards. Each section of the diorama told a different story of agricultural work, with extraordinary care given to layout and overall atmosphere. A passionate tribute to the land and its traditions.

The greenhouse by Maurizio Cresto

Among the most original and narrative-driven creations was the work of Alfonso Parmeggiani, known for his unique style of telling stories through LEGO® bricks by visually interpreting well-known songs. Each of his builds feels like a “three-dimensional album cover,” bringing musical lyrics to life. This time, he presented his personal rendition of “Samarcanda”, a song by the Italian singer-songwriter Roberto Vecchioni, transforming its lyrics into a touching and evocative scene. The diorama fully captured the intense and symbolic atmosphere of the song, with characters and settings that looked as if they had stepped straight out of the story. A perfect example of how LEGO® bricks can become poetic storytelling tools.

One of 4 moc dedicated to Samarcanda by Alfonso Parmeggiani

Matteo Grassi presented a series of highly diverse creations, each with its own unique style and charm. Among them stood out a pirate watchtower, solid and imposing, overlooking a treacherous stretch of coastline, complete with barrels, cannons, and furled sails, instantly evoking the atmosphere of a swashbuckling adventure. In contrast, a delicate Japanese scene featured a bright red torii gate, carefully arranged vegetation, and a small stone path, capturing the serenity and aesthetic precision of traditional Japanese culture. Finally, a vibrant and colorful medieval bacchanal, filled with festive characters, lavish banquets, and music, rounded out his display with a touch of humor and historical vitality. A trilogy of perfectly distinct worlds, all united by the same artisanal craftsmanship.

The path by Matteo Grassi

Fabio Ghillani brought two truly evocative and magical creations. The first depicted the playing cards from Alice in Wonderland, a highly detailed diorama that perfectly captured the whimsical and slightly surreal atmosphere of the beloved tale. The second work portrayed Pinocchio and the whale, an evocative and poetic scene positioned atop a book made entirely of LEGO® bricks, symbolizing the story’s literary origins. Both creations showcased the builder’s extraordinary skill in storytelling through bricks, masterfully blending narrative, art, and building technique into works of great emotional impact.

Alice in the Wonderland by Fabio Ghillani

Pinocchio by Fabio Ghillani

Another notable contributor was Fabio Stella, a specialist in building cable cars and chairlifts. For this edition, he presented a faithful reproduction of the St. Grée cable cars, crafted with meticulous attention to detail and particularly appreciated by enthusiasts in the field. For those interested in learning more, there is an easily accessible video available HERE showcasing the model’s structure and operation in action.

St. Grée chailift by Fabio Stella

Master builder Andrea Montuori captivated the audience with an extraordinary work: an ancient samurai armor complete with katana, entirely crafted from LEGO® bricks. The attention to detail and historical accuracy made this model a true testament to skill and passion for the building art. In addition to this impressive creation, Andrea also brought two smaller but equally fascinating pieces: a LEGO® “painting” rich in intricate details and a graceful geisha, both executed with the same care and precision that characterize his work.

Andrea Montuori with his ancient japanese armour

Ancient japanese armour by Andrea Montuori

By Andrea Montuori

Another creation that captured attention was the Jungle River Boat by Roberto Ceruti, a realistic and evocative model depicting a typical riverboat immersed in tropical vegetation. The attention to detail and scenic composition made the piece particularly captivating. For those who want to see the model in action, there is an easily accessible video available HERE.

Jungle River Boat by Roberto Ceruti

Gianfelice Mangano presented two creations of great elegance and refinement. The first was a small Japanese-style zen corner, minimal yet full of atmosphere, able to convey serenity and harmony through just a few carefully chosen elements. The second was a true medieval-style gem, meticulously detailed and perfectly balanced between architecture and visual storytelling. Two very different works, yet united by a strong aesthetic sensibility and outstanding building precision.

Japanese Garden by Gianfelce Mangano

Medieval cottages by Gianfelice Mangano

The Maffè family, led by the tireless Grandma Pina, is well known for their spectacular reconstructions of large cities and architectural marvels. For this edition, they presented an impressive Renaissance-style palace, a work of imagination so detailed and refined it looked like a real royal residence. The creation was a triumph of harmonious architectural elements and elegant finishes, dominated by the tan color, skillfully used to highlight the sophistication of the structure. A collaborative effort that blends family passion with extraordinary building talent.

Th royal palaca by Maffè family

After finishing our tour of the gym, we moved on to the other locations spread throughout Carmagnola. In the second venue, we discovered two large collaborative dioramas, built by the talented members of Piemonte Brick Lug—an association that, among other things, deserves credit for bringing together all these exhibitors and making the entire event possible.

The first diorama was set in the Old West and featured every iconic element of the era: Native American camps, a working railroad, majestic rocky mountains, and a detailed cowboy village. The second, in sharp contrast, depicted a modern town, complete with a train station, contemporary buildings, and lively urban scenes. Two worlds far apart in time, yet united by the same passion and meticulous attention to detail.

City by Piemonte Brick Lug

The station by Piemonte Brick Lug

Far west diorama by Piemonte Brick Lug

Far west diorama by Piemonte Brick Lug

Far west diorama by Piemonte Brick Lug

Far west diorama by Piemonte Brick Lug

The members of Piemonte Brick Lug don’t just excel at large-scale dioramas—they’re also skilled builders of LEGO® brick robots. Among the most captivating creations were those by Andrea Dugento, who showcased models inspired by the Transformers series and the The Mask line. These highly detailed robots featured complex structures and striking designs, impressing visitors with both their visual appeal and engineering ingenuity.

Work by Andrea Dugento

Works by Andrea Dugento

Among the many female creators at the event, Paloma Basile certainly deserves a mention. She brought a captivating Japanese diorama divided into two perfectly integrated parts. On one side, a section in a traditional medieval style, featuring temples, small bridges, and classic architecture; on the other, a part inspired by the vibrant and chaotic Ninjago City, with bright colors, modern structures, and an incredible variety of details. A work that skillfully combined two visions of Japanese culture with balance and great creativity.

By Paloma Basile

I found Fabio Perotti’s rally diorama really charming and well-crafted, a piece that conveys all the energy and dynamism of a dirt race thanks to its detailed elements and lively composition. The builder even recreated the tire screeches and smoke that only those race cars can produce, adding a spectacular touch of realism.

Rally by Fabio Perotti

I started my tour admiring the great monuments like the Tower of Pisa and the Mole Antonelliana, and now I’m closing it with them again, but in a smaller version, thanks to two beautiful creations by Luca Fonsato. That’s all for now—thank you for joining me on this little journey through bricks and creativity. I can’t wait to share new adventures and discoveries with you at the next event. See you soon!

Note: you’ll find a larger gallery with many more photos at the following link.

The monument by Luca Fonsato