1. Culture and Events in Bologna 

Bologna boasts a vibrant cultural scene with loads of events, training opportunities, and professional networking spaces. Whether you are passionate about art, music or theatre, you will find something here that you love.

Do not miss the opportunity to be part of the cultural scene of Bologna and explore everything this city has to offer.

Major events in Bologna

• Sotto le stelle del Cinema
• Bologna Portici Festival
• Il Cinema Ritrovato
• Bologna Jazz Festival
• Biografilm Festival
• BolognaFiere – One of the largest and most important exhibition centers in Europe. It hosts leading events in the technical field such as Cersaie (Salone Internazionale della Ceramica per l'Architettura e dell'Arredobagno) and EIMA (Esposizione Internazionale di Macchine per l'Agricoltura), on research and innovation such as We Make Future and R2B Research to Business and in the cultural field with Artefiera and Bologna Children's Book Fair.

Academic & cultural institutions

• University of Bologna events – Here you can find regular academic and cultural events.
• University of Bologna library – A valuable resource for research and study in Bologna.
• University museum system of Bologna – Explore the city’s academic and natural heritage.

Entertainment in Bologna 

• Search on the map and discover film screenings and events in Bologna.

2. Commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community

Bologna actively works to create an environment that is respectful, free of discrimination and promotes the rights and visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community. The city is committed to being a safe and inclusive space for all sexual identities and orientations.

LGBTQIA+ Associations in Bologna

• Agedo
• Arcigay Il Cassero
• Lesbiche Bologna
• MIT Bologna
• Plus – BLQ Checkpoint
• Famiglie Arcobaleno
• Gay Lex
• KOMOS
• MigraBo LGBTI

Support and cultural activities 

• Bologna Accoglienza in TRANSito (MIT) – An information and support service.
• Plus – BLQ Check Point (RER in collaboration with USL and Comune di Bologna) – A facility dedicated to rapid testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in an out-of-hospital environment.
• Bologna LGBT+ friendly (Bologna Welcome) – A guide to the most representative places for the LGBT+ community in Bologna: meeting places, entertainment venues and places in the city that welcome the LGBT+ community without prejudice and are openly gay-friendly.
• Gender Bender Festival (Il Cassero) – International festival of arts exploring body, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

3. University and Higher Education in Bologna 

Bologna is home to renowned educational institutions that offer a wide range of academic programs, from vocational training to postgraduate studies. This city provides an excellent foundation for those looking to advance their careers, thanks to its strong ties with industry and research.

Below, we invite you to discover the educational offer of universities and training centres in Bologna. 

University of Bologna (with campuses in Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini)

The  University of Bologna has very ancient origins that indicate it as the first University in the Western world. The excellence of teaching, research at the forefront, presence in the territory, international openness, and information services: in these and in many other areas, the Alma Mater promotes and continues today on the path of innovation.

For more information: See the educational offer

ITS Foundations in Bologna 

In Emilia-Romagna, there are seven ITS (Istituti Tecnici Superiori) foundations, each specializing in different fields of advanced technical education. Several of these institutions have locations in Modena, offering specialized training programs aligned with industry needs.

• ITS tourism and well-being - innovative technologies for cultural heritage and activities, tourism and well-being 
• ITS sustainable logistics 
• ITS maker - mechanical engineering, mechatronics, mechanics and packaging
• ITS tech & food - new technologies for made in italy regional agricultural sector 
• ITS fistic - creative industrial ict and technologies 
• ITS tec - building energy territory 

4. International Schools in Bologna  

International families residing in Bologna have access to an excellent educational offer for children from pre-school to high school. With programmes such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) and foreign public school options, there are a variety of alternatives available.

In addition, many public and private institutions offer bilingual programmes, ensuring a high-quality education. Check out the list of international schools in Bologna.

5. Health and Social Services in Bologna 

If you are a foreign resident in Bologna you will have access to a wide range of health and welfare services. The city offers care to both EU residents and non-residents, ensuring that your experience in the city is safe and comfortable.

The Health Centres are the main point of reference for citizens, where you can access primary care, counselling and all health-related professionals and services. Here, family doctors, specialists, nurses, social workers and administrative staff work together to provide a comprehensive service.

Discover all the health and wellness services available at Bologna: 

• Healthcare Coverage & Documentation: to check your healthcare coverage and obtain the necessary documents, contact the Local Health Authority District of Bologna.
• Finding a Health Centre: use this resource to locate the nearest Health Centre for further information.
• Family Doctors & Paediatricians: an interactive map is available here to help you find offices and venues of family doctors and paediatricians.
• Hospitals in Bologna: here you can find a list of hospitals available in the province of Bologna.