In a repeat of last year’s Champions League Quarter Final, Spanish giants Barcelona F.C will face Calcio heavyweights A.C Milan to see who will make it through to the semis.

The handbags are out and the gloves off. Recent controversy about the S/S 2013 Milan fashion week dates (for its womenswear collection) has lead to feuding in the fashion world.

There is no better time of year to enjoy music in the outdoors. You know when it’s getting hot because the cultural agenda in every country fills up with numerous festivals. Italy, of course, is no exception and amongst all those activities on offer there, one of the most interesting is the Milan Jazzin’ Festival.

A few days ago we mentioned all the activities that are being prepared in celebration of Gay Pride in London. If you still haven’t made any plans, then maybe you would prefer to go to Milan instead and take part in the festivities there.

Spring has arrived according to a famous retail chain. Either way, many cities in the world hold different events to welcome in their favourite season. The explosion of colours and fragrances, together with the mild weather gets everyone in the mood to go out onto the streets following the dull winter days.

All you film fanatics out there lucky enough to be in Milan this spring will be delighted to know that Milan is celebrating its 21st edition of the African Film Festival on the 21st to the 27th of March 2011. This filmtastic event comprises the only festival in Italy entirely dedicated to the cinema and cultures of countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and is now a long-standing rendezvous for cinema fans from the south of the world.

Milan, the city of chic is also a very traditional and family orientated place as indicated in the Christmas events celebrated during the festive season, and of course as is expected of Italian culture. This extends to many of the exciting events that take place in the Italian capital and that quite often involve or are held in honour of their patron saint and fourth century Bishop, Saint Ambrose. Thanks to this great man a fabulous market is held at Christmas on Piazza Duomo selling all sorts of marvellous goodies, and on the same day that it opens the world famous Opera House La Scala kicks off its Christmas season. However, the celebrations don’t just stop there as once again in honour of Bishop Ambrose the religious celebrations for Lent are extended and there are parties and events forming part of the Ambrosian Rite and Carnival.

The next edition of Touch!, neoZone and cloudnine, the Pitti Immagine fairs dedicated to women’s collections for the 2011 spring-summer season, will be held in Milan’s Zona Tortona from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 September 2010, earlier than previously announced.

Between the 10th and the 19th of September Milan will be holding the Milano Film Festival, a film competition where vanguard cinema, Italian and international films will be screened. The event will also be a perfect opportunity for up and coming directors to show their work to alternative films lovers. Furthermore, the festival will be divided into individual sections for full-length and short films, and competitions will be organised whereby voters may vote directly for the director of their favourite film.