Sagra Da Farn’èdd
Stretching over two kilometers, the “Sagra da Far'nèdd” is considered the largest festival of its kind in Italy. Winding through the twisting alleys of Castellaneta’s old town, the fair is a journey into the traditions, eno-gastronomic culture, and lively music scene of this Apulian borough. Throughout the ten stages of the festival’s itinerary, visitors can savor the unique flavors of Puglia while diving into the folkloristic rhythms and sounds performed by local artists.
Vilma Bánky and Rudolph Valentino in The Son of the Sheik (1926) © United Artists via IMDB
Deep-rooted in the core values of Italian tradition, Sagre are heartfelt events that celebrate the local heritage of boroughs across the culturally diverse landscape of the peninsula. Now in its 19th edition, the “Sagra da Far’nèdd” has earned its place among the most anticipated summer folkloristic festivals in Southern Italy. The name translates to “Farinella’s Fest”, with Farinella being a specific type of flour made from roasted barley and chickpeas, which is typical of Castellaneta’s culinary tradition. Located on the Ionian coast of Puglia, Castellaneta is a small town nestled between the sea and the impervious territory of the Gravina canyon. Beyond its suggestive natural setting, Castellaneta is known for being the birthplace of the iconic silent film star Rodolfo Valentino, whose museum is located in the heart of the historical center, where the Sagra takes place.
Since 2002, the Sagra da Farn’èdd has lit up the streets of Castellaneta’s charming old town at the height of summer, with food stalls and local shops lining the route. After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Sagra made its comeback this August, drawing tens of thousands of visitors from across Italy and abroad. The fair develops into ten culinary stops offering traditional dishes—such as the spicy “zip-zip” (a simple yet fiery dish made of Apulian tomatoes and a lot of chili peppers) and the rustic focaccia made with Farinella, along with a variety of regional wines. However, what played a key role in making this year’s edition so successful was the rich and diverse musical offer.
The line-up included ten different live performances by musicians, bands, and street artists scattered among the balconies, arches, and slopes of the historical center. “The common thread of the selected bands is the valorization of musical traditions, innovation, and reinterpretation of genres, ranging from the traditional music of Southern Italy to the timeless classics of swing, blues, jazz, and funk, as well as the iconic songs of the greatest Italian songwriters,” said artistic director Damiano Carenza. Not only folk and Mediterranean beats, but a colorful blend of sounds entertained the evening, perfectly matching the lively atmosphere of the festival.
Go Man opened the Sagra, setting the tone for the event with a fun and playful performance that blended swing, soul, and blues, reinterpreting classics from the ‘40s as well as more contemporary tunes. A similar approach was taken by the World Music Trio, who gave a boost to the swingy and funky groove with a versatile setlist that captivated the audience. Leonardo Scarpetta, a renowned singer and multi-instrumentalist from Castellaneta, also contributed to the revival of Italian evergreen hits.
Another entertaining performance came from Wiar, a two-man band that provided an engaging acoustic soundtrack for the festival, covering soul and electro-pop tunes with an original blues twist. The main stage, located right in front of the majestic Romanesque Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in the heart of the old town, hosted the Meridio Popular Band, a group of talented young musicians born and raised in Castellaneta, who had everyone dancing to the enthralling rhythms of Apulian folk music, such as pizzica, tammurriata, and tarantella.
A delightful surprise was the performance by Three of Us, who delivered an evocative set from a house balcony, paying tribute to great artists like Ray Charles, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Etta James, Amy Winehouse, and so on. The young and energetic members of the Moonquakes also entertained the crowd with a mix of pop-rock and rock’n’roll covers and original tracks, with a style and aesthetic reminiscent of The Beatles.
The icing on the cake was the spectacular performance by the Francesco Greco Ensemble, who enchanted the audience with a mesmerizing blend of violins, percussions, and electronic instruments, resulting in a moving symphony with an innovative yet classical flavor. With a repertoire of over 400 tracks spanning various genres, the Ensemble is renowned in the Taranto music scene for combining the virtuosity of classical instruments, particularly the violin, with the use of electronic devices to produce cutting-edge sounds. Their performance was the perfect conclusion to the Sagra’s itinerary, guiding visitors on an enjoyable journey into the heart of Apulian culture. The fusion of tradition and innovation was the core identity of this year’s Sagra da Farn’èdd, brilliantly captured in the festival’s lively and diverse musical soundtrack.
