Last month we told you about Pink Floyd Day II which was being held in Brescia, Italy, on April 27th. The event proved a great success, with a resounding response from the public that spent all afternoon enjoying the exhibition of rare Pink Floyd material from private collections [see pictures, right, kindly supplied by Alberto Durgante].

Along with the exhibition was the official launch press conference of the new initiative known as the Floydseum, a virtual, 3D museum dedicated to the world of collecting Pink Floyd, a museum that had visitors praising the "beauty and the high degree of technological innovation". In addition to this the Floydseum offered an exhibition of rare autographed prints (mostly autographed by the late Storm Thorgerson) and live photos of Pink Floyd made ??available by collectors from around the world. The stand of Floydseum was also visited by the host of the evening, live vocalist for Pink Floyd in the band's latter years, Durga McBroom, who signed many autographs, as well as a special "Wall" of signatures and dedications, before heading to the stage to perform with Italian Floyd tribute band, Wit Matrix. Durga sang several songs including a sweet "The Great Gig in the Sky" dedicated to Storm.

More information on the Floydseum comes courtesy of Rolling Stone magazine in Italy, who have just published an interview (in Italian, naturally) with Alberto Durgante. (For an English translation, click here.)

RS note that 'it is the first time that Waters and his associates are seen dedicated in an entire "virtual museum", where adoring fans and curious music lovers can delight to admire very rare pieces from private collections, jealously kept secret until today. Durgante said that he, along with a handful of others, were "passionate collectors, who for many years have formed a network of friends and colleagues around the world, and wanted to build something that, albeit virtual, could remain over time. The Pink Floyd, for what they represent, deserve to be preserved and transmitted to future generations."'

Durgante was keen to point out that it wasn't an opportunity for people to boast about their collection. "For us it is the opposite. Our goal is not only to unite people with a common passion around the world but also to share, with the greatest possible number of fans, these unique items that not everyone can afford - and even those who can afford it cannot have them all - showing the beauty of those objects..." Click here to visit the Floydseum which over time will grow to what we suspect will be an essential, and fascinating, resource.

Pink Floyd Live At Pompeii, the band's much-loved movie which had them performing a live set in the deserted Italian ruins. Later, footage from Abbey Road was added, giving an insight into the band during those days. For those who've yet to read it, our indepth interview with director Adrian Maben is a fascinating look at the whole Pompeii project.

Adrian has been back in touch with us this week. He told us that the Pompeii footage "has been fully restored and remastered from the original negative" and is now in a high definition, 2K format. The sound has also been improved. Full of enthusiasm for the transfer, he noted that the colour is wonderful, and the depth of the picture was remarkable - as if it was a modern day recording.

This new footage is getting its first public airing this Friday, May 3rd, at 7:30pm at La Cinémathèque française, which is on Rue de Bercy in Paris. The film will be presented by Adrian along with Belgian cinematographer Willy Kurant, who also worked on Pompeii. Tickets for this very special event are now available directly through the cinematheque.fr website.

UPDATE, May 2nd: Adrian has just informed us that there will now be a second screening at the Cinémathèque on May 25th at 5pm. Tickets will be available as above for the additional screening.

Just published is the latest issue (number 22 - cover date May 2013) of the Pink Floyd fanzine "Heyou" run by our friends over at the Italian website of the same name.

The 52-page dual language magazine (in Italian and English), which is published every six months or so, catches up with Floyd news from December 2012 through to the start of the current month. There's a large feature on the new Floydseum which they are saying heralds "the new era of Pink Floyd collectibles". The site aims to bring together some of the biggest collectors and enthusiasts internationally, to create a 3D virtual museum, packed with rarities from around the world for everyone to enjoy. An organic entity, the aim is for it to keep growing in size and scope.

Elsewhere in its pages, there's an extensive look at the band's activities in 1973, a preview of the upcoming Pink Floyd Day II in Brescia, Italy, and (printed prior to his sad passing) a review of the Genesis Publications Storm Thorgerson box set, "Taken By Storm".

More details of the Heyou fanzine can be found at www.heyou.it/fsubscrbd.htm, where you can get individual copies, and subscription enquiries (four issues costing 30 euros within Europe, and 40 euros outside Europe) should go to durgaheyou@libero.itThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it - make sure you mention Brain Damage when you write!

Pink Floyd Day II takes place this Saturday, April 27th, at PalaBrescia, with Italian enthusiasts of the band holding their annual, national celebration of the band.

Being held to benefit the charity AIL Brescia, the day will be entirely dedicated to Pink Floyd, their music, their thoughts, their images, with the participation of a wide variety of guests, each in their own way representative of a different aspect of the band.

The event will be presented by Dario Salvatori, one of the most famous Italian music critics, author, and TV presenter. Amongst the guests will be Heyou fanzine; the people behind Floydseum, the first 3D virtual Floyd museum who will bring along some of their rarities for fans to enjoy; author Alexander Martorelli presenting his new book "Even Pink Floyd Can Go Wrong" which has already had much critic praise, alongside other guests.

Vintage guitars will be on display, alongside some incredibly rare Floyd memorabilia brought along by some of the most notable Italian Floyd collectors.

The day ends with a big concert by one of the biggest Italian Floyd tribute bands, Wit Matrix. For the occasion, they will be joined by Durga McBroom-Hudson from Los Angeles, singer with Pink Floyd on the road since 1987, who will be also present in the afternoon at the conference and available to fans for photos and autographs.

The event starts at 4pm, and for more information visit www.pinkfloydday2.it.