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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).