Events

EvEnti
visual arts
fusion of contemporary art and archeology takes place, the awaited for exhibition has become one of the
Magna grEcia FilM FEstival
most important Italian cultural events of the summer
Where: Soverato, province of Catanzaro
season. As a sign of continued planning, the exhi-
When: July /August
bition today represents a cultural model with wide
The Magna Grecia Film Festival is one of the most
approval in Italy and abroad.
important film festivals on the national scene. It has
has always met with great public success. The festi-
radicazioni
Festival of cultural traditions
val hosts premières, under the artistic direction of
When: August
Gianvito Casadonte.
Where: Alessandria del Carretto, province of Cosenza
taken place in Soverato, Catanzaro since 2004, and
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Concerts, art and music in the heart of the Pollino.
intErsEzioni
Street performers, masks and marionettes, murals,
Where: Scolacium Archeological Park, Roccelletta
photography, wine and food stalls, artisan stalls and
di Borgia, Cz
traditional instruments stalls. The spirit of the Festival
When: July/October
is to create moments of aggregation, by proposing
“Intersezioni” (Intersections) consolidates contem-
the cultural and choral-musical resources in the Cala-
porary arts and archeology. The scenery in the
bro-Lucana area to a vast public, together with those
background of the installation is the extraordinary
from other regions of Italy and populations from the
Scolacium Archeological Park (only a few km from
Mediterranean. The artistic offering is rich and varied,
Catanzaro). By now considered the place where the
in regards to both the genres proposed and the manner in which the public is involved, though itinerant
plays and music for youth, adults and children, and
the choice to give value to all the spaces of the town.
PEntEdattilo FilM FEstival
international short Film Festival
When: September
Where: Pentedattilo, province of Reggio Calabria
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film contest entitled “Territorio in Movimento” (Terri-
saracinEMa
the cinema in the kasbah
tory in Movement), is the apex of a fruitful symbiosis
When: August
of intent between Ram Digital Film and the non-profit
Where: Saracena, province of Cosenza
Associazione Pro-Pentedattilo (Pro-Pentedattilo As-
Saracinema is an event that ties the desire to have a
sociation), who for some time now have collaborated
place to talk, see and “feel” the cinema to the willin-
in order to give artistic value to Pentedattilo, a ghost
gness for high-level training. You will be welcomed
town. The event enters into a wider process of revi-
by an ancient abandoned village, made up of small
ving the characteristic site. “A village for art....art for
labyrinthine alleys that lead to small piazzas that are
the revival of the village” is the motto that tenaciously
naturally predisposed for projections and dilapidated
guides the daring path on the traces of ancient foot-
convent atria that become places for study. A na-
prints and new discoveries.
tural amphitheatre is the central hub of projections
The Pentedattilo Film Festival, an international short
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and meetings with various guests, and a moment to
public and critical success. Important names such as
compare experiences with the public, the press and
Eddie Gomez, Roberto Gatto, Danilo Rea, Paolo Fresu
experts. All of this takes places around a pathway
are only some of the biggest jazz festival guests.
made up of small arenas, taverns and a-typical pubs,
carved out of wine cellars and underground rooms.
Jazz
roccElla Jazz FEstival
Future Memories
When: August
Where: Roccella Jonica, province of Reggio Calabria
The festival ranks itself as one of the most important,
PEPEroncino Jazz FEstival
From the tyrrhenian to the ionian cosentine
coast, passing through the Pollino and sila.
if not the most important in South Italy; it is the ex-
When: August/September
tional prestige, such as Paolo Fresu, Omar Sosa and
Where: Towns in the Pollino and Sila, Ionian Coast,
many others.
clusive prerogative of the city of Roccella. The artistic
direction of Paolo Damiani foresees guest of interna-
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province of Cosenza
The Peperoncino Jazz Festival (Hot Pepper Jazz Festival), an event that joins great music, food and cultu-
Ethnic Music
re under the one of the symbols of the region (the
most important cultural and touristic events of the
PalEariza FEstival
World Music in grecìa calabra
Calabrian summer, as well as one of the more charac-
When: August
teristic music festivals in Italy. The Peperoncino Jazz
Where: The Grecìa Calabra Area, province
Festival has established itself as a sort of “seal of qua-
of Reggio Calabria
lity” and as an out-and-out package of cultural events.
Ancient music and modern suggestions, sounds of
Other than evening organized in collaboration with
the world, local Calabrian cuisine and hiking paths
important Calabrian events such as “Suoni”, “Di…
leading to the discovery of forgotten places: all this is
Vino Jazz” “Aspettando il Settembre Rendese” and
Paleariza, the ethnic music festival that for ten years,
“Amantea Around Jazz”, it will wholly encompass in its
each summer, uncovers the beating heart of Greek
program the Magna Grecia Jazz Festival and the Laos
Calabria. The Paleariza, which means “Ancient Roots”
Jazz Festival; Morano Blues & Jazz and Cetraro Jazz,
in the Greek language of Calabria, takes place eve-
as well as the “Festival del Borgo” , a music and the-
ry year in the Grecian area of the province of Reg-
atre festival that was met last year with an enormous
gio Calabria. Since 1997, in fact, it constitutes an
hot pepper), proves itself once again as one of the
out-and-out ethno-touristic and cultural entry ticket
for the entire zone. The name Paleariza refers to the
indissoluble ties of the event with the Aspromonte
territory characterized by the presence of Grecanico,
a language whose essentially oral tradition represents
the distinctive feature of the area.
Generally, the event takes place in the towns of Africo, Bagaladi, Bova, Bova Marina, Condofuri, Gallicianò, Amendolea, Melito di Porto Salvo, Pentedattilo,
Palizzi, and Staiti.
During the Paleariza, within an arc of about twenty
days, kilometres of often twisting roads leading to
beautiful mountain towns are travelled. During the
festival evenings, the towns open their doors and
offer their traditional hospitality to the public.
thEatrE
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Magna grEcia thEatrE FEstival
a journey to the archaeological
sites in calabria
When: July /August
Where: archaeological sites of Calabria
The theatre itinerary in archaeological sites in the territory is promoted by the Region of Calabria. Theatrical plays and more are set among the ancient ruins
and archaeological excavations in a project that promotes and enhances the heritage that is particularly
bestowed upon Calabria. Twelve exceptional settings
are used: the archaeological parks of Sibari, Crotone,
Roccelletta di Borgia, as well as the Teatro dei Ruderi
(The Ruins Theatre) in Cirella, the Abbazia benedettina (the Benedictine Abbey) in Lamezia, the Tempio
di Marasà (The Temple of Marasà) in Locri, the Teatro
all’aperto (The Open Air Theatre) in Palmi, Piazza Ca-
stello (The Castle Piazza) in Reggio Calabri, the Teatro
della Torre Marrana (The Torre Marrano Theatre) in
Ricardi, the archaeological area of Rosarno, the ancient Kaulon and the space in the Castello al Parco
delle Rimembranze (The Castle at Memorial Park)
in Vibo Valentia. A journey in the footsteps of myth.
Those who founded the civilization of a region: Calabria. A theatre itinerary in the most important archaeological sites spread throughout the entire regional
territory. From the Tyrrhenian Coast to the Ionian,
from North to South. This is the winning formula of
the Magna Grecia Theatre Festival.
PriMavEra dEi tEatri
Festival on the new language
in the contemporary scene.
When: June
Where: Castrovillari, province of Cosenza
The festival is by now a point of reference in the South
for contemporary drama and new creativity, meeting
and discussion sites among artists of different levels
and generations. Primavera dei Teatri (Springtime of
the Theatres) has, over the years, contributed to the
success of many Italian artists of this last generation,
some of which have been then met by prestigious acknowledgment. A unique event in the South of Italy,
the festival reflects on contemporary society, registers
ideas and aesthetic questions,and is aimed at youth,
risking much. Directed and organized by Scena Verticale, the festival hits its eleventh edition in June 2010.
EuroMEditErranEan FEstival
When: from June to September
Where: Altomonte, province of Cosenza
A prose, cabaret, music and visual arts festival, laun-
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ched in 1988, promoted by the Municipality of Alto-
Turks, in the Easter Season.
monte. Entrusted to the Artistic Direction of Enrico
The “vallja” is a folk dance, formed by youths in tra-
Provenzano, each year the festival sees big names on
ditional arbëresh costumes, who, creating a chain by
the Italian art scene, such as Katia Ricciarelli, Fabrizio
means of handkerchiefs and guided at the extremities
De Andrè, Raffaele Paganini, Ficarra and Picone.
by two special figures called “flamurtarë” (flag-carriers), wind their way through the town streets perfor-
FolklorE
ming epic songs, traditional rhapsodies, songs of good
wishes or disdain, which are more or less improvised.
This is not a variation of the Calabrian tarantella, but
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tarantElla PoWEr
an ancient circle dance of colourful Albanian origins
When: the end of August
that recalls the proud and upheld rhythms that are still
Where: Badolato Cz
found today in the mountain dances of the Dukagji-
In a historic village of extraordinary beauty, you’ll find
ni, in Rugovo, mountainous regions of Kosovo and
a deeply rooted tradition of hospitality, a tradition of
in Epirus. The circle dance performs imaginative de-
singers and chitarra battente (folk guitar) players se-
velopments, and with sudden enfolding movements
renading, a love for folk music and good wine drunk
“imprisons” courteous tourists, who willingly make
in catoj (taverns). As always, an important part of Ta-
generous offers in cafés in order to pay the “ransom”
rantella Power is the prerogative of the public, whose
for their release. The rhythm of the dance, which is
enthusiasm at various levels in the enjoyment of the
at times sombre and at times aggressive, is above all
concert (completely free), and in attendance at se-
found in the “vallja e burravet” (the mens’ dance). This
minars, has permitted the further consolidation of a
“vallja” is composed solely of men who store and re-
festival that is already extraordinary in its intentions.
member the combat tactics adopted by Skanderbeg
Alongside the events there will be dance and instru-
to capture the enemy in their movements.
ment classes (tambourine, organetto, singing) as well
The “vallja” used to take place in almost all the arbëre-
as the usual seminars on traditional stringed instru-
shë towns on Easter Sunday afternoons, Easter Mon-
ments: another tangible success that is a merit to the
day and the following Tuesday. Currently, it takes
consistent history of Tarantella Power.
places in Civita and in Frascineto, and in part in San
Basile and Firmo.
lE vallJE
the circle dance of liberty
When: the Tuesday after Easter
FEsta dElla Pita
(the Festival of the tree)
Where: Civita and Frascineto, province of Cosenza
When: last Sunday in April
According to tradition, these festivals were establi-
Where: Alessandria del Carretto, province of Cosenza
shed in order to commemorate the great victory of
An ancient event with pagan origins that is very re-
Giorgio Castriota Skanderberg against the invading
miniscent of many fertility rites carried out by pagan
populations. During the preparations for the celebration, a fallen tree is searched for, usually a fir tree.
The tree is then taken and transported to the town
followed by a lively procession accompanied by cheerful music. At lunch, the parade is interrupted, and
the participants sit down at a table to refuel, participating in a sumptuous lunch in which the most delicious local food is served.
The transport is then taken up again, and continues
until the evening, concluding with a dance organized
in the piazza. The festivities continue in the following
days with the fir tree-cleaning ceremony, in which,
after being stripped of its branches, is planed. On
Sunday, May 2nd , the pole obtain is hoisted and prizes are tied to its summit. The fearless then attempt
to scale the pole to get the prizes. Once all the gifts
are gathered, the tree is cut down, and the victors are
celebrated. The twigs are gathered with the fir needles in memory of Saint Alexander.
FEsta di san lEonE
(the Feast of saint leo)
When: end of February
Where: Saracena, province of Cosenza
On the eve of the feast (19 February), there is a festive
torch-light procession in the city streets (leaving and
arriving at the church of Saint Leo), in which a unique
and cheerful ceremony for the saint with songs and
traditional musical instruments takes place. After the
torch-light procession, in all the city quarters, huge
bonfires are lit (Fucarazzi), which last until morning.
Groups of young people and old, with organettos
and guitars, go from quarter to quarter, where local
food is offered: salami, wine and wonderful Moscato
di Saracena. This is an ancient feast that has been
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repeating itself without change, yet somehow always
different, for centuries.
i vattiEnti
When: the week before Easter
Where: Nocera Terinese, province of Catanzaro
Among all the religious ceremonies that take place in
Italy to celebrate Holy Week, a special place is surely
reserved for the procession of Our Lady of Sorrows
that takes place on Holy Saturday in Nocera Terinese
in the province of Catanzaro. This is directly linked to
the rite of the Vattienti (whose rough translation means flagellants), traced back to 1618. The flagellants
are those who flog themselves until they draw blood
as a sign of their devotion. It is a type of catharsis, of
atonement for one’s sins, both for the one that is “sacrificed” as well as those dear to him. The flagellation
146
stops in front of the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, to
which the Vattiente genuflects.
la giudaica
the trial of Jesus
When: Easter, Good Friday
Where: Laino Borgo, province of Cosenza
Every two years, on Good Friday, Laino Borgo becomes
the natural suggestive backdrop on the occasion of the
play “La Giudaica” (The Judaic), about the Passion of
Christ. The play is loosely based on a text by Morone,
a Dominican monk who lived at the end of the 1700s.
Followed by a tireless crowd of people, there are around
a hundred actors and appearances: shopkeepers, artisans, blue and white-collar workers who, even though
they have never taken an acting course, at times reveal
unique artistic flairs passing quickly from one scene to
the next, from one “delegation spot” to another: from
ve, from the religious trial before the Sanhedrin to the
carnEvalE dEl Pollino
(the Pollino carnival)
political trial before Pontius Pilote, from the Way of the
Where: Castrovillari, Cs
Cross to the Crucifixion.
When: February/March
the Last Supper to the Arrest of Christ in the olive gro-
Officially beginning in 1959 (although the first edition
Palio di ribusa
took place in ’58), the origins of the Pollino Carni-
When: July
val have been lost in the mists of time. The Pollino
Where: Stilo, RC
Carnival has always been characterized by its mirth,
Ladies, knights, arms and love: these are the ele-
collective pranks, and also for the fine workmanship
ments that gave rise to the Palio di Ribusa ( a Palio is a
of its floats. Nevertheless, from ’59 until today, the-
medieval game in which the winner is awarded a ban-
re have been two elements that render it unique and
ner), one of the most important and followed histori-
attractive: the variety of the masks produced and the
cal events in Calabria. Commemoration days, music,
participation of Italian and foreign folkloristic groups
plays and cuisine are to be found in the village streets
that make up the main parade. The floats are also pro-
of Stilo, in the framework of a meticulous historical
tagonists, but the most engaging shows are the ma-
reconstruction. The five ancient farmhouses of the
sked and folkloristic groups, the latter also performing
Stilese County (Camini, Guardavalle, Pazzano, Riace
indoors, in the Sybaris Theatre, for the International
and Stignano) challenge the noble and illustrious City
Festival of Folklore. The entwining of masks and folk-
of Stilo in feats of strength and dexterity. During the
lore comes from afar. Castrovillari dedicates particular
afternoon of the last day, the representatives of the
importance to popular traditions, so much so that it is
six towns measure up against the Giostra all’anello
defined as the city of folklore. The Carnival therefore
(Ring Joust) to whom the Pallium, an artistically wor-
always focuses on the joy of dance and song perfor-
ked drap will be awarded. During the Palio, the entire
med in front of the doors of the houses in the old city,
old city is illuminated by the fascinating torches. In
to the rhythms of the tambourine, which calls for “ a
the piazzas and streets, theatre plays, musical perfor-
savuzizza” (one of the many local types of sausages in
mances of that era and various exhibitions will take
the area) and wine to celebrate the “king jester”.
place. It is possible to watch duels (obviously simulated) on horseback. There is an animated historical
market in the centre of town, rich with workshops
Food FEstivals
and artisan shops. Obviously, the food plays its role
profusely; in the old taverns, it is possible to try local
thE rEd onion oF troPEa FEstival
dishes and delicious beverages, much to the joy of
When: August
the palate. At the Zecca della Bagliva, you can buy
Where: Tropea, province of Vibo Valentia
the Ribuso, the money minted just for the historical
This festival has taken place in Ricadi, in the centre of
commemoration of Stilo’s Palio di Ribusa.
the province of Vibo Valentia on the 13th of August
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each year for about 30 years. During the evening, there are many delicacies with the onion of Tropea as a
base: sweet and sour onions, onion marmalade, breaded and fried onion rings, beans with onions etc. Accompanying the evening are classic games (sack races, pinata, etc) Calabrian folk songs and many other
types of entertainment. The evening concludes with
the “du camijuzzu i focu” dance. This is a horse made
of bamboo canes, covered with firecrackers from its
head to its tail. The pyro-technical dance is accompanied by a traditional Calabrian tarantella. A man with a
very resistant helmet dances with the “horse”. Many
people position themselves in a circle around this to
watch the extraordinary fireworks display.
thE stockFish FEstival
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When: August
stival has been celebrated unfailingly on the evening
Where: Mammola, province of Reggio Calabria
of the 10th of August for more than 25 years. The
A traditional event is the The Stockfish Festival. Try
aim of the event is to introduce the excellent organo-
stockfish cooked in various ways according to tra-
leptic properties of the locally produced wine. The
ditional Mammolesi recipes. The festival, due to its
vineyards of Brattirò are situated on two terraces at
unique flavours, is one of the most important food
an altitude of 330m sloping towards the sea of Tro-
events in Calabria and Italy, and brings thousands of
pea and Capo Vaticano. This geographical lay of the
tourists. The festival takes place along the streets in
land allows for an excellent ventilation and sunlight
this medieval village, where, other than the beauty of
on the ancient vineyards, which, together with
the village itself, one can admire the ancient church
methodical work and patience, has produced a genu-
and the houses of the nobility, local art shows, and
ine and fine wine.
artisan stalls. All this takes place in a folkloristic atmosphere, with dances, songs, sounds and various
thE sPilinga ‘nduJa FEstival
performances.
When: August
Where: Spilinga, province of Vibo Valentia
thE WinE FEstival
In a small town in the province of Vibo Valentia, an
When: August
event of the gastronomic, folkloristic and cultural
Where: Brattirò di Drapia, province of Vibo Valentia
type takes place on the 8th of August every year, for
In a small town in the province of Vibo Valentia, a fe-
all those who spend their vacations in Capo Vaticano
ken place in Bagnara Calabra . If in 1971, circa 1000
attended, from 1971 to 2000 the attendance level is
at about 4000 people, including citizens, casual tourists and passionate regulars. The importance of the
festival is evident not only by the numbers, but also
in the interest of the local and national mass media.
The event, sponsored by the Region of Calabria and
upheld by territorial political institutions, aims to promote one of the most ancient traditions in the territory: Swordfish hunting. The period chosen for the
event is the first week of July, when the swordfish, in
search of a mate for reproduction, inhabit the tranquil waters of the Strait of Messina.
gran FEsta dEl PanE
(the great bread Festival)
and Tropea and for the citizens of Spilinga. Thanks to
When: May
‘nduja, a very local product, known throughout Italy
Where: Altomonte, province of Cosenza
and even abroad, Spilinga has become famous. The
After only a few years, it has become one of the
‘nduja of Spilinga is a type of sausage made with hot
most characteristic events due to the rich cultu-
red peppers and pork, prepared by hand in the win-
ral and touristic offering of Altomonte. The event
ter months, when it is customary for the Spilingesi to
takes place in the old part of town, which has for
slaughter their pigs. The people of Spilinga await this
many years been rated as among the “Most beau-
festival with enthusiasm and the willingness to offer
tiful villages in Italy”. For four days, the town will
hospitality and genuine local Calabrian products to
be literally invaded by numerous expositive stan-
the many visitors. The various stalls offer spaghetti
ds, which involve the participation of many local
with ‘nduja, beans, local vegetables, bruschette and
producers and some representatives of cities that
sandwiches with ‘nduja.
are member of the “City of Bread Association”,
those ranked among the “Most beautiful villages
gran galà dEl PEscE sPada
(the great swordfish gala)
in Italy” and “Slow City”, which display and give
When: end of July
of excellence. The city will be visitable for free
Where: Bagnara Calabria, province
(guided tours in the village among “Forni Accesi”
of Reggio Calabria
(Ovens On) and “Catui Aperti” (Open Cellars) or-
Every year, since 1965, the Swordfish Festival has ta-
ganized by the Pro Loco).
tasty samples of their specialties and products
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