Events in Calabria
description
Transcript of Events in Calabria
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EvEnti
visual arts
Magna grEcia FilM FEstivalWhere: Soverato, province of Catanzaro
When: July /August
The Magna Grecia Film Festival is one of the most
important film festivals on the national scene. It has
taken place in Soverato, Catanzaro since 2004, and
has always met with great public success. The festi-
val hosts premières, under the artistic direction of
Gianvito Casadonte.
intErsEzioniWhere: Scolacium Archeological Park, Roccelletta
di Borgia, Cz
When: July/October
“Intersezioni” (Intersections) consolidates contem-
porary arts and archeology. The scenery in the
background of the installation is the extraordinary
Scolacium Archeological Park (only a few km from
Catanzaro). By now considered the place where the
fusion of contemporary art and archeology takes pla-
ce, the awaited for exhibition has become one of the
most important Italian cultural events of the summer
season. As a sign of continued planning, the exhi-
bition today represents a cultural model with wide
approval in Italy and abroad.
radicazioniFestival of cultural traditionsWhen: August
Where: Alessandria del Carretto, province of Cosenza
Concerts, art and music in the heart of the Pollino.
Street performers, masks and marionettes, murals,
photography, wine and food stalls, artisan stalls and
traditional instruments stalls. The spirit of the Festival
is to create moments of aggregation, by proposing
the cultural and choral-musical resources in the Cala-
bro-Lucana area to a vast public, together with those
from other regions of Italy and populations from the
Mediterranean. The artistic offering is rich and varied,
in regards to both the genres proposed and the man-
ner 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 FEstivalinternational short Film Festival When: September
Where: Pentedattilo, province of Reggio Calabria
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The Pentedattilo Film Festival, an international short
film contest entitled “Territorio in Movimento” (Terri-
tory in Movement), is the apex of a fruitful symbiosis
of intent between Ram Digital Film and the non-profit
Associazione Pro-Pentedattilo (Pro-Pentedattilo As-
sociation), who for some time now have collaborated
in order to give artistic value to Pentedattilo, a ghost
town. The event enters into a wider process of revi-
ving the characteristic site. “A village for art....art for
the revival of the village” is the motto that tenaciously
guides the daring path on the traces of ancient foot-
prints and new discoveries.
saracinEMathe cinema in the kasbahWhen: August
Where: Saracena, province of Cosenza
Saracinema is an event that ties the desire to have a
place to talk, see and “feel” the cinema to the willin-
gness for high-level training. You will be welcomed
by an ancient abandoned village, made up of small
labyrinthine alleys that lead to small piazzas that are
naturally predisposed for projections and dilapidated
convent atria that become places for study. A na-
tural amphitheatre is the central hub of projections
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and meetings with various guests, and a moment to
compare experiences with the public, the press and
experts. All of this takes places around a pathway
made up of small arenas, taverns and a-typical pubs,
carved out of wine cellars and underground rooms.
Jazz
PEPEroncino Jazz FEstival From the tyrrhenian to the ionian cosentine coast, passing through the Pollino and sila. When: August/September
Where: Towns in the Pollino and Sila, Ionian Coast,
province of Cosenza
The Peperoncino Jazz Festival (Hot Pepper Jazz Festi-
val), an event that joins great music, food and cultu-
re under the one of the symbols of the region (the
hot pepper), proves itself once again as one of the
most important cultural and touristic events of the
Calabrian summer, as well as one of the more charac-
teristic music festivals in Italy. The Peperoncino Jazz
Festival has established itself as a sort of “seal of qua-
lity” and as an out-and-out package of cultural events.
Other than evening organized in collaboration with
important Calabrian events such as “Suoni”, “Di…
Vino Jazz” “Aspettando il Settembre Rendese” and
“Amantea Around Jazz”, it will wholly encompass in its
program the Magna Grecia Jazz Festival and the Laos
Jazz Festival; Morano Blues & Jazz and Cetraro Jazz,
as well as the “Festival del Borgo” , a music and the-
atre festival that was met last year with an enormous
public and critical success. Important names such as
Eddie Gomez, Roberto Gatto, Danilo Rea, Paolo Fresu
are only some of the biggest jazz festival guests.
roccElla Jazz FEstivalFuture MemoriesWhen: August
Where: Roccella Jonica, province of Reggio Calabria
The festival ranks itself as one of the most important,
if not the most important in South Italy; it is the ex-
clusive prerogative of the city of Roccella. The artistic
direction of Paolo Damiani foresees guest of interna-
tional prestige, such as Paolo Fresu, Omar Sosa and
many others.
Ethnic Music
PalEariza FEstival World Music in grecìa calabraWhen: August
Where: The Grecìa Calabra Area, province
of Reggio Calabria
Ancient music and modern suggestions, sounds of
the world, local Calabrian cuisine and hiking paths
leading to the discovery of forgotten places: all this is
Paleariza, the ethnic music festival that for ten years,
each summer, uncovers the beating heart of Greek
Calabria. The Paleariza, which means “Ancient Roots”
in the Greek language of Calabria, takes place eve-
ry year in the Grecian area of the province of Reg-
gio Calabria. Since 1997, in fact, it constitutes an
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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 Afri-
co, Bagaladi, Bova, Bova Marina, Condofuri, Gallicia-
nò, 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
Magna grEcia thEatrE FEstivala journey to the archaeologicalsites in calabriaWhen: July /August
Where: archaeological sites of Calabria
The theatre itinerary in archaeological sites in the ter-
ritory is promoted by the Region of Calabria. Theatri-
cal plays and more are set among the ancient ruins
and archaeological excavations in a project that pro-
motes 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 benedet-
tina (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-
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stello (The Castle Piazza) in Reggio Calabri, the Teatro
della Torre Marrana (The Torre Marrano Theatre) in
Ricardi, the archaeological area of Rosarno, the an-
cient 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: Cala-
bria. A theatre itinerary in the most important archa-
eological 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 ack-
nowledgment. 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 Verti-
cale, 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-
monte. Entrusted to the Artistic Direction of Enrico
Provenzano, each year the festival sees big names on
the Italian art scene, such as Katia Ricciarelli, Fabrizio
De Andrè, Raffaele Paganini, Ficarra and Picone.
FolklorE
tarantElla PoWErWhen: the end of August
Where: Badolato Cz
In a historic village of extraordinary beauty, you’ll find
a deeply rooted tradition of hospitality, a tradition of
singers and chitarra battente (folk guitar) players se-
renading, a love for folk music and good wine drunk
in catoj (taverns). As always, an important part of Ta-
rantella Power is the prerogative of the public, whose
enthusiasm at various levels in the enjoyment of the
concert (completely free), and in attendance at se-
minars, has permitted the further consolidation of a
festival that is already extraordinary in its intentions.
Alongside the events there will be dance and instru-
ment classes (tambourine, organetto, singing) as well
as the usual seminars on traditional stringed instru-
ments: another tangible success that is a merit to the
consistent history of Tarantella Power.
lE vallJEthe circle dance of libertyWhen: the Tuesday after Easter
Where: Civita and Frascineto, province of Cosenza
According to tradition, these festivals were establi-
shed in order to commemorate the great victory of
Giorgio Castriota Skanderberg against the invading
Turks, in the Easter Season.
The “vallja” is a folk dance, formed by youths in tra-
ditional arbëresh costumes, who, creating a chain by
means of handkerchiefs and guided at the extremities
by two special figures called “flamurtarë” (flag-car-
riers), wind their way through the town streets perfor-
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
an ancient circle dance of colourful Albanian origins
that recalls the proud and upheld rhythms that are still
found today in the mountain dances of the Dukagji-
ni, in Rugovo, mountainous regions of Kosovo and
in Epirus. The circle dance performs imaginative de-
velopments, and with sudden enfolding movements
“imprisons” courteous tourists, who willingly make
generous offers in cafés in order to pay the “ransom”
for their release. The rhythm of the dance, which is
at times sombre and at times aggressive, is above all
found in the “vallja e burravet” (the mens’ dance). This
“vallja” is composed solely of men who store and re-
member the combat tactics adopted by Skanderbeg
to capture the enemy in their movements.
The “vallja” used to take place in almost all the arbëre-
shë towns on Easter Sunday afternoons, Easter Mon-
day and the following Tuesday. Currently, it takes
places in Civita and in Frascineto, and in part in San
Basile and Firmo.
FEsta dElla Pita(the Festival of the tree) When: last Sunday in April
Where: Alessandria del Carretto, province of Cosenza
An ancient event with pagan origins that is very re-
miniscent of many fertility rites carried out by pagan
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populations. During the preparations for the celebra-
tion, 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 che-
erful music. At lunch, the parade is interrupted, and
the participants sit down at a table to refuel, partici-
pating in a sumptuous lunch in which the most deli-
cious 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 pri-
zes 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 need-
les 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 me-
ans 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 “sa-
crificed” as well as those dear to him. The flagellation
stops in front of the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, to
which the Vattiente genuflects.
la giudaica the trial of JesusWhen: 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, arti-
sans, 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
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the Last Supper to the Arrest of Christ in the olive gro-
ve, from the religious trial before the Sanhedrin to the
political trial before Pontius Pilote, from the Way of the
Cross to the Crucifixion.
Palio di ribusaWhen: July
Where: Stilo, RC
Ladies, knights, arms and love: these are the ele-
ments that gave rise to the Palio di Ribusa ( a Palio is a
medieval game in which the winner is awarded a ban-
ner), one of the most important and followed histori-
cal events in Calabria. Commemoration days, music,
plays and cuisine are to be found in the village streets
of Stilo, in the framework of a meticulous historical
reconstruction. The five ancient farmhouses of the
Stilese County (Camini, Guardavalle, Pazzano, Riace
and Stignano) challenge the noble and illustrious City
of Stilo in feats of strength and dexterity. During the
afternoon of the last day, the representatives of the
six towns measure up against the Giostra all’anello
(Ring Joust) to whom the Pallium, an artistically wor-
ked drap will be awarded. During the Palio, the entire
old city is illuminated by the fascinating torches. In
the piazzas and streets, theatre plays, musical perfor-
mances of that era and various exhibitions will take
place. It is possible to watch duels (obviously simu-
lated) on horseback. There is an animated historical
market in the centre of town, rich with workshops
and artisan shops. Obviously, the food plays its role
profusely; in the old taverns, it is possible to try local
dishes and delicious beverages, much to the joy of
the palate. At the Zecca della Bagliva, you can buy
the Ribuso, the money minted just for the historical
commemoration of Stilo’s Palio di Ribusa.
carnEvalE dEl Pollino(the Pollino carnival)Where: Castrovillari, Cs
When: February/March
Officially beginning in 1959 (although the first edition
took place in ’58), the origins of the Pollino Carni-
val have been lost in the mists of time. The Pollino
Carnival has always been characterized by its mirth,
collective pranks, and also for the fine workmanship
of its floats. Nevertheless, from ’59 until today, the-
re have been two elements that render it unique and
attractive: the variety of the masks produced and the
participation of Italian and foreign folkloristic groups
that make up the main parade. The floats are also pro-
tagonists, but the most engaging shows are the ma-
sked and folkloristic groups, the latter also performing
indoors, in the Sybaris Theatre, for the International
Festival of Folklore. The entwining of masks and folk-
lore comes from afar. Castrovillari dedicates particular
importance to popular traditions, so much so that it is
defined as the city of folklore. The Carnival therefore
always focuses on the joy of dance and song perfor-
med in front of the doors of the houses in the old city,
to the rhythms of the tambourine, which calls for “ a
savuzizza” (one of the many local types of sausages in
the area) and wine to celebrate the “king jester”.
Food FEstivals
thE rEd onion oF troPEa FEstival When: August
Where: Tropea, province of Vibo Valentia
This festival has taken place in Ricadi, in the centre of
the province of Vibo Valentia on the 13th of August
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each year for about 30 years. During the evening, the-
re are many delicacies with the onion of Tropea as a
base: sweet and sour onions, onion marmalade, bre-
aded and fried onion rings, beans with onions etc. Ac-
companying the evening are classic games (sack ra-
ces, 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 accompa-
nied 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 FEstivalWhen: August
Where: Mammola, province of Reggio Calabria
A traditional event is the The Stockfish Festival. Try
stockfish cooked in various ways according to tra-
ditional Mammolesi recipes. The festival, due to its
unique flavours, is one of the most important food
events in Calabria and Italy, and brings thousands of
tourists. The festival takes place along the streets in
this medieval village, where, other than the beauty of
the village itself, one can admire the ancient church
and the houses of the nobility, local art shows, and
artisan stalls. All this takes place in a folkloristic at-
mosphere, with dances, songs, sounds and various
performances.
thE WinE FEstivalWhen: August
Where: Brattirò di Drapia, province of Vibo Valentia
In a small town in the province of Vibo Valentia, a fe-
stival has been celebrated unfailingly on the evening
of the 10th of August for more than 25 years. The
aim of the event is to introduce the excellent organo-
leptic properties of the locally produced wine. The
vineyards of Brattirò are situated on two terraces at
an altitude of 330m sloping towards the sea of Tro-
pea and Capo Vaticano. This geographical lay of the
land allows for an excellent ventilation and sunlight
on the ancient vineyards, which, together with
methodical work and patience, has produced a genu-
ine and fine wine.
thE sPilinga ‘nduJa FEstivalWhen: August
Where: Spilinga, province of Vibo Valentia
In a small town in the province of Vibo Valentia, an
event of the gastronomic, folkloristic and cultural
type takes place on the 8th of August every year, for
all those who spend their vacations in Capo Vaticano
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and Tropea and for the citizens of Spilinga. Thanks to
‘nduja, a very local product, known throughout Italy
and even abroad, Spilinga has become famous. The
‘nduja of Spilinga is a type of sausage made with hot
red peppers and pork, prepared by hand in the win-
ter months, when it is customary for the Spilingesi to
slaughter their pigs. The people of Spilinga await this
festival with enthusiasm and the willingness to offer
hospitality and genuine local Calabrian products to
the many visitors. The various stalls offer spaghetti
with ‘nduja, beans, local vegetables, bruschette and
sandwiches with ‘nduja.
gran galà dEl PEscE sPada(the great swordfish gala)When: end of July
Where: Bagnara Calabria, province
of Reggio Calabria
Every year, since 1965, the Swordfish Festival has ta-
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 tou-
rists 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 pro-
mote one of the most ancient traditions in the terri-
tory: 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 tran-
quil waters of the Strait of Messina.
gran FEsta dEl PanE (the great bread Festival)When: May
Where: Altomonte, province of Cosenza
After only a few years, it has become one of the
most characteristic events due to the rich cultu-
ral and touristic offering of Altomonte. The event
takes place in the old part of town, which has for
many years been rated as among the “Most beau-
tiful villages in Italy”. For four days, the town will
be literally invaded by numerous expositive stan-
ds, which involve the participation of many local
producers and some representatives of cities that
are member of the “City of Bread Association”,
those ranked among the “Most beautiful villages
in Italy” and “Slow City”, which display and give
tasty samples of their specialties and products
of excellence. The city will be visitable for free
(guided tours in the village among “Forni Accesi”
(Ovens On) and “Catui Aperti” (Open Cellars) or-
ganized by the Pro Loco).