STAINED GLASS WINDOW

Savona Brick Festival 2025 – Bricks, Passion, and Friendship

This weekend (25 and 26 october), I attended the Savona Brick Festival with my friend Antonio Mortola, with whom I’ve shared a lifelong passion for LEGO. This year, we had the extraordinary opportunity to exhibit our creations at the Liceo Chiabrera Martini, with an entire hall all to ourselves.

The festival, spread across different locations in the city, is much more than a simple exhibition: it’s an occasion for enthusiasts of all ages to meet, share ideas and inspiration, and see the city transformed into a small universe of bricks.

Upon entering the hall, we were welcomed by a perfectly organized space for displaying our MOCs: long tables, carefully arranged lighting, and all the space needed for visitors to admire the details of each creation. Having an entire hall at our disposal allowed us to present our creations exactly as we wanted, without any restrictions, telling the story behind every brick.

Our Creations in the Spotlight

Unlike the first edition of the Savona Brick Festival, this time we were the stars. We had the entire hall at the Liceo Chiabrera Martini at our disposal and brought with us the most beautiful and significant creations we’ve ever made.

I, for example, exhibited:

• the ancient Japan diorama in Ninjago style, titled “The Dragon’s Revenge”;

• the fantasy diorama “Tower Edge”, now almost ten years old;

• the brand-new “The Realm of the Six Houses”;

• the LEGO Ideas project “Jack and the Beanstalk”;

• and the project “16 Balls”, created for the ACOL community by Nicola Bozzolan.

•  

   

   

  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  
   

Antonio brought other extraordinary creations:

• Il Riva, the motorboat also featured in the Indiana Jones saga;

• the Portofino Lighthouse;

• Fenis Castle;

• and the Villa of Emperor Hadrian, which turned out to be the most admired piece by visitors, followed closely by my Realm of the Six Houses. 

   

   

   

  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  

Each creation told a different story, and seeing visitors marvel at the details of every build was truly moving. This experience allowed us to share our passion in the fullest and most authentic way possible.

The Festival Across the City

The Savona Brick Festival was not limited to our hall at the Liceo Chiabrera Martini: the event was spread throughout the city, with other locations hosting exhibitions, workshops, and activities for both children and adults. Walking through the streets of Savona, one could encounter unexpected creative corners: schools, cultural centers, and public spaces transformed into true LEGO universes.

Each location had its own character and theme: some spaces showcased spectacular MOCs by local fans, others were dedicated to interactive workshops where children could build freely, and in some areas, there were building demonstrations or speed competitions among young builders. This distributed format made the festival dynamic and surprising, allowing visitors to explore the city through bricks, discovering every corner with curiosity and amazement.

Other Exhibitors’ Creations: Vico Spinola Art Gallery

The second stop on the festival route took us to the Vico Spinola Art Gallery, where some extraordinary creations by other enthusiasts and artists were on display. Among them stood the works of Silvio Giovetti, dedicated to the Disney universe, and the graphic creations of STUDIO BURTON by Rodolfo Razzi, composed of prints inspired by the style of LEGO minifigures.

Among all the works on display, the one that captured the most attention from visitors was the Frozen Ice Castle, created by Silvio Giovetti. The precision of the details and the way the ice crystals were rendered in LEGO bricks made this build almost magical, showing how the Disney universe can be reimagined in LEGO with extraordinary creativity.

 

 

 

 

Third Stop: the Civic Art Gallery and “London 2.0”

The third stop of the festival took us to the Civic Art Gallery, where the extraordinary creation of Silvio Giovetti, “London 20”, was on display. This is a nineteenth-century town in a London style, a project that combines meticulous detail, inventiveness, and an almost theatrical narrative.

This version, referred to as 2.0, represents an evolution from the previous one: the artist completely redesigned the pavement and expanded the older part of the village, featuring almost medieval elements. Numerous little scenes bring the town to life, such as villagers attempting to set witches on fire, along with many other surprising and humorous situations that encourage visitors to explore every corner of the city carefully.

The attention to detail, the variety of scenes, and the evocative atmosphere made “London 20” one of the most admired and engaging creations of the festival, once again showcasing Silvio Giovetti’s creative genius.

 

 

Fourth Stop: Fondazione Milani and the Lands of Tolkien

The fourth stop of the festival took us to the Fondazione Milani, where Alex Bonelli, known in the community as LegoMocLoc, was exhibiting his creations. Bonelli is a true specialist in works inspired by the universe of J.R.R. Tolkien, and once again he left everyone speechless with his impressive builds.

Visitors could admire the majestic Tower of Saruman, tall and menacing just like in the film trilogy, and the Tower of Sauron, dominated by the famous Eye of Fire. But the real surprise was the preview of Dol Guldur, a new project dedicated to The Hobbit, where one can even spot Radagast the Brown, the nature-loving wizard who roams Middle-earth aboard his rabbit-drawn sleigh.

The Fondazione Milani location was the one that drew the longest queues of the entire festival — clear proof of the success and fascination that Bonelli’s works inspired. A result that can only make both the organizers and the builder himself proud, as he brings the magic of Tolkien to life through LEGO bricks.

 

 

Fifth Stop: Palazzo Comunale — From Tatooine to Miniature Cities

The fifth stop of the festival took place at the Palazzo Comunale of Savona, where, inside the entrance hall, four builders showcased their works — each with a distinct style but united by the same passion for LEGO bricks.

The first to welcome visitors was Cristina Mattiazzo with her extraordinary dynamic diorama dedicated to the planet Tatooine, straight from the Star Wars saga. Her creation was a small masterpiece of engineering and atmosphere: original sounds and lights from the films, mechanical Sarlaccs devouring their prey, and even Jabba’s palace Rancor pit, fully functional. With a simple mechanism, the floor would open up, revealing the cage below and unleashing the Rancor — a moment that never failed to amaze and delight the audience.

Next was Ruggero Francia, a Savona resident by adoption and one of the event’s collaborators, who presented a series of smaller builds, all recognizable for his distinctive colorful and imaginative style. Among his works were a reinterpretation of the classic Fort Legoredo, a fantasy scene featuring a mushroom house, an Indian-Asian–style palace, and a reimagined version of the official Monster House, all infused with vivid creativity.

Roberto Orsi, a specialist in monster-themed creations, brought two of his most iconic pieces: a leaning tower, tall and sinister, seemingly about to collapse at any moment, symbolizing the decay of the structure, and a haunted house, meticulously detailed and beautifully eerie.

Finally, Enzo Sasso, known for his expertise in trains and miniature cities, displayed finely crafted small-scale models with a nostalgic charm that evoked vintage LEGO sets. His attention to detail and sense of proportion captivated every fan of the LEGO railway world.

 

 

 

 

 

Sixth Stop: Piazza Sisto — Market, Fantasy and Creativity in Freedom

After so many amazing displays, the sixth stop of the festival took us outdoors, to the lively Piazza Sisto, right in front of the Town Hall. Here, the heart of the event beat among stalls, curiosities, and plenty of enthusiasm.

Visitors could browse through stands offering fantasy-themed handcrafted items, collector’s memorabilia, music-related collectibles, and of course, a large LEGO market, where fans and curious passersby could search for rare pieces, elusive minifigures, or simply draw inspiration from the displayed sets.

But the true soul of Piazza Sisto was undoubtedly “Giocabimbi a Go Go”, an area entirely dedicated to children. This area was managed by the association Un Passo Alla Volta ODV. ”Hundreds of kilos of LEGO bricks were available for the little builders, free to create houses, small churches, police stations, castles, and whatever their imagination could dream up. Each creation was then placed on a large modular street layout, which gradually took shape throughout the day to form a collective city built entirely by the young visitors.

A moment of play and togetherness that perfectly captured the spirit of the Savona Brick Festival: the joy of building together, with no limits to age or imagination.

Seventh Stop: “Il Gabbiano” Shopping Center — Spinning Tops, Bricks, and New Discoveries

The seventh and final stop of the Savona Brick Festival took place at the “Il Gabbiano” Shopping Center, a location slightly apart from the main festival area, but easily reachable on foot in just ten minutes. Even here, the world of LEGO found space in two distinct areas, both highly appreciated by visitors.

The first area was Giocabimbi, curated by Andrea “Brickoso” Caboni, who engaged the youngest attendees in a truly original activity: a competition of self-built spinning tops. Using loose LEGO bricks provided on large tables, children could construct their own custom tops and compete in exciting spinning battles, amid laughter, cheers, and endless creativity. The second day, the area was managed by Liguria Brick.

The second area, about 36 square meters, was dedicated to the display of additional creations. Visitors could admire Andrea Livio’s agricultural diorama, Guido Giaretto’s vintage trains, two creations by Andrea Caboni (Brickoso), the evocative medieval diorama by the Nova family, and finally the works of the Bionicle Italia group, represented by Davide Massone and his collaborators, bringing to life one of LEGO’s most iconic themes.

 

 

 

 

 A perfect concluding stop, combining play, technique, and passion, and closing a festival edition full of surprises and unforgettable moments.

Behind the success of the Savona Brick Festival 2025 was an extraordinary organizational effort, led by Marco Munì, host and organizer from the event company CostruireInsieme. I saw him tirelessly moving from one location to another, coordinating exhibitors, spaces, and activities with meticulous attention.

Despite the many challenges that inevitably arise in events of this scale, Marco managed everything with great professionalism, achieving an excellent result. Thanks to his dedication, the festival transformed Savona into a dynamic and surprising journey, offering all participants a complete, exciting, and unforgettable experience.

Compared to last year, a lively and engaged Savona could be seen, with the streets of the historic center filled with visitors and an enthusiastic public, willing to patiently endure even the longest queues just to admire the LEGO creations up close. This is a clear sign of the affection and curiosity that the event inspires, and of the shared passion that drives both builders and fans alike.

Another aspect that struck me deeply was the enthusiasm and amazement of the builders: by encouraging them to participate, they were able to see firsthand the special attention that Marco gives to each exhibitor, making everyone feel valued and welcomed. Very likely, most of them will want to be part of the event again next year. I also want to thank Marco for his excellent work, which fully met my expectations. His events remain among my absolute favorites, and on the rare occasions when I cannot attend due to other commitments, I always regret it.

A special thanks goes to the sponsors ((NH Hotel Darsena, Il centro commerciale Il Gabbiano di Savona e i Fratelli Guatti), because without them none of this would have been possible: the passion, commitment, and dedication of everyone involved made the Savona Brick Festival 2025 a truly unforgettable experience.