VEROLENGO BRICK 2026

On Sunday, April 19, 2026, a brick-themed exhibition took place which, despite its modest size, proved to be surprisingly rich in quality and participation. The event, curated by OLTR&BRICK by Cristiano Guain, was part of the broader FREE TIME FESTIVAL organized by Proloco Mansio Quadrata—a larger initiative that enlivened the day with promotional sports activities and a lively artisan market.

As usual, our focus remains on the bricks.

The exhibition was held over the course of a single day, yet it was enough to completely fill a school gymnasium with creations and sets capable of capturing visitors’ attention. There were around ten exhibitors in total: a relatively small number, but more than enough to ensure variety and interest throughout the entire display.

A clarification is necessary, however. On one side were experienced exhibitors, well accustomed to this kind of event, showcasing original creations born from their own imagination, study, and design. On the other were newcomers, presenting their personal collections of official LEGO sets and sharing their passion for the brick in its most classic form.

This mix turned out to be one of the most compelling aspects of the exhibition. Alongside unique, often highly detailed creations featuring clever building techniques, there were also iconic sets capable of sparking nostalgia and engaging even less experienced visitors. A dialogue between creativity and collecting that made the event accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

From here begins the story of the day: a journey through original builds and timeless classics, between those who create entire worlds from scratch and those who carefully preserve symbolic pieces of LEGO history. A balance that gave rhythm and variety to the exhibition, transforming a simple day in a gym into an experience full of inspiration and ideas.

Let’s now take a closer look at who was there and what they brought on display.

This time, allow me to start with my own table, which for the occasion stretched to six and a half meters in length. Among the many creations I’ve built over time, I chose not to focus on a single large, monothematic diorama—impressive, perhaps, but not necessarily to everyone’s taste. Instead, I opted for a more varied display, made up of smaller works that could offer different points of interest and keep the viewer engaged throughout.

Among the pieces on display was my IDEAS project “Jack and the Beanstalk,” designed to capture the attention of those who love stories and fairy tales. Alongside it was the “16 balls” project, created together with Nicola Bozzolan for the ACOL Community: a more playful work that particularly resonated with adult visitors, also encouraging some fun photo opportunities—such as posing with the brick-built beer mug I specifically made for this creation.

Also featured was the “Reggia di Bugliano,” presented here in a “reduced” version, without the large city that usually accompanies it and which, for this occasion, I decided to leave at home. Even so, the build continued to draw attention, especially from music enthusiasts: inside, a fully dedicated room to musical instruments is clearly visible.

There was also a preview of my “monster” diorama, a larger project that will soon be unveiled in its complete form. This first section already managed to captivate younger visitors, who are always drawn to vampires, monsters, and other “spooky” creatures.

Closing my display was the wall titled “Welcome in My Wall is Different,” created to surprise the most attentive viewers. Thanks to this piece, I didn’t miss the chance to take a special photo: I captured Cristiano Guain standing in front of my wall, holding the small LEGO booth I dedicated to him—a miniature representing what he builds and exhibits.

To conclude, a group photo with AFOL friends I’ve represented over time through my mini booths was a must. This doesn’t include all the exhibitors present at the event, but rather a selection of enthusiasts I wanted to pay tribute to, each with their own dedicated miniature booth (measuring just 8x3 studs)—a small detail that reflects the spirit of sharing and friendship that always defines these occasions.

This theme also included Pasticcino, Rosa Daniele, who—despite not being physically present—still took part in the exhibition with a “monster”-style creation. The piece is the well-known original Monster House, here heavily reworked and developed vertically with the addition of several extra floors. A modification that completely changes its overall appearance, making it even more imposing and perfectly in line with the gothic and eerie atmosphere of the theme.

Science and science fiction were well represented, thanks to the ingenuity of Antonio Mortola. For the first time in Piedmont, he showcased his new project titled Mission to Mars: a sort of interactive station combining the display of several official space-themed sets with a gigantic spaceship named Titan.

What immediately captures attention is the enormous rotating wheel, which, in the builder’s vision, is inspired by the iconic system seen in 2001: A Space Odyssey by Kubrick, designed to recreate artificial gravity. The spacecraft is conceived as a vessel built to reach Mars, blending cinematic inspiration with technical research and creative design.

Completing the sci-fi theme was the stunning Enterprise D, a recently released official set from the workshops of Billund, adding even more charm to an already impressive section of the exhibition.

Alex and his son Diego Aglì brought a selection from their private collection to the exhibition, including Hogwarts Castle and other Harry Potter–themed memorabilia. Complementing their display was an impressive lineup of cars: around one hundred models, featuring numerous sets from the Speed Champions line as well as other vehicles, all capable of capturing the attention of enthusiasts of all ages.

Stefano Canal, a passionate fan of the Marvel universe, created a detailed reproduction of Tony Stark’s laboratory. Inside, he displayed dozens of technological suits belonging to the famous comic-book billionaire, resulting in a truly striking visual impact. Particularly noteworthy were also the robotic tools and equipment featured in the lab, carefully crafted and rich in detail, further enhancing the overall scene. He also showcased a selection of official sets, adding even more depth to his display area.

Gianni Gaio and his son Christian brought a large number of Volkswagen T1 vehicles to the exhibition, alongside their well-known Technic-scale workshop. Every area of the garage is carefully detailed: from the mechanic lifts to the scattered spare parts, each element helps bring the scene to life in a realistic way.

Nothing is missing—there’s even a bathroom… although it might be best not to peek inside, as it always seems to be occupied.

The winter castle by Maria Laura Castiglione and Andrea Caboni truly stole the show, emerging as the most appreciated work in the preview album I always prepare ahead of my report. An outcome that was far from obvious, given the high quality of all the creations on display.

Even more surprising is the fact that it outperformed their second piece as well—the evocative Caribbean Sea Fortress, also exhibited in Verolengo and equally capable of capturing the public’s attention.

Beyond the exhibition aspect, Andrea and Laura also take great care of the interactive and playful side of the events. Whenever their logo, “Andrea Brickoso,” appears on the poster, you can be sure that fun is guaranteed—not only for children, but also for parents who often find themselves drawn into the activities.

Their proposals are always dynamic and engaging: from LEGO-themed treasure hunts to challenging competitions to build the tallest and most stable brick skyscraper, all the way to contests for the “spinniest” spinning top, strictly self-built in LEGO. Activities that may seem simple at first glance, but are capable of turning any event into a shared and highly participatory experience.

Now let’s turn to the event organizer, Cristiano Guain, who—beyond the hard work required to set up the exhibition—is also an AFOL through and through. For the occasion, he showcased parts of his own collection as well as his daughter Greta’s, but above all two fully MOC dioramas.

The first is a highly colorful scene set on a vibrant fantasy planet, rich in lively details. The second moves into a fantasy setting: here, a group of raiders from the wolf faction infiltrates a hostile territory inhabited by orcs, among clearings, fallen logs, and uneven terrain that makes their advance anything but easy.

Adding an extra touch is a small hidden gem: completely unaware of what’s happening above ground, inside a cave, two ghosts are quietly playing poker. A little scene that brought more than a few smiles to visitors, adding a note of humor to an already evocative setting.

Last, but certainly not least, the friendly Mauro Gianaroli: a super collector of minifigures and a true dispenser of bricks. Once again, he didn’t miss this edition, bringing along one of his most fascinating displays: the showcase dedicated to monochrome characters, capable of capturing attention thanks to its seemingly simple concept and its distinctly original visual impact.

With his presence, our journey through this exhibition comes to an end—an event that, despite its modest size, managed to offer variety, quality, and above all a great deal of passion. Once again, the brick proves to be a universal language, capable of bringing together different generations and turning a simple day into a shared experience.

All that remains is to look forward to the next occasion, confident that creativity, friendship, and the desire to build will continue to be the true protagonists.