The Festivals and Celebrations of Calabria

Calabria is a region steeped in history and tradition, so it's no wonder that the local people are so fond of festivals. Every month of the year sees a celebration, from those for patron saints to festivals for the wonderful food the region boasts. Towns and villages have their own local celebrations that have been handed down over the centuries. If you manage to catch one you'll see ethnic costumes, traditional food and other throwbacks to ancient times.

Celebrations of Food and Culture

A festival is a time when the whole community can get together, and one of the beauties of the Calabrian region is the openness and kindness of the locals. As an outsider you'll be welcomed into the fold and encouraged to take part and share in the fun. It's a great opportunity to immerse yourself in Calabrian culture and learn a lot about the region and its traditions.

The festivities begin right from January, which is the month when pigs are slaughtered. Pork is a common ingredient in Calabria so the cultivation of pigs is widespread. During January many towns have a 'Pork Feast' in which innumerable pork dishes are prepared and eaten over three days by every family. Everyone gets together to appreciate the bountiful food that the region provides.

Other gastronomic festivals take place throughout the year in many locations. In August, Bianco holds a large wine festival to celebrate its wine production. This revolves around tasting sessions so is a must-see for wine enthusiasts! The Costa Viola sees many food festivals during June in honour of the seafood the area produces. Because of the ethnic diversity of Calabria, each town has its own special dishes and there are parties held for all of them. A festival celebrating the food and folklore of the region is known as the Fiera de 100 Communi, and this takes place in a different location each year.

Religious Festivals

The second type of festival you'll find in Calabria is the religious celebration. In this catholic country religious observations are still taken very seriously, as you can guess from the number of churches and monasteries that still dominate the landscape. One of the most famous religious observations takes place on the 15th of August. This is the procession of the Madonna through the towns and to the sea, and it often ends in a brilliant firework display.

The Varia takes place in Palmi almost every year, and is a procession dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Here in times past, young girls were carried through the town on top of papier-mâché sugar loaves, but nowadays for safety reasons dolls are used instead.

Film of the Varia

This is some rare footage of the Varia in progess, taken sometime in the 1960s

Finally, festivals in Calabria are just put on for fun and entertainment, when everyone can get together and have a good time. The Carnevale del Pollino for example features street performers as well as processions and food. Many dramatic shows will be staged in the main town square, and there are music festivals and athletic tournaments throughout the year.

Film of the Carnevale del Pollino, 2006

A small taste of what you can expect during this colourful and humourous festival tradition.

Calabria is sometimes painted as Northern Italy's poor relation, and although this is a less affluent area the vibrancy of the region and its people can't be matched in the rest of the country. For genuine hospitality and preserved tradition there's no better place to visit, which is why those who have been to Calabria return time and again.