Aria Consapevole Festival

The festival rediscovering tarantism in Galatina

The Aria Consapevole Festival is a summer event held in Galatina, in the province of Lecce, in the heart of Salento and Apulia. Organized by the Galatina Pro Loco, the festival celebrates the phenomenon of tarantism and Salento's folk culture, of which Galatina is a symbolic site: it is home to the historic Chapel of San Paolo and the well where, according to tradition, the tarantate (women bitten by the tarantula) came to perform their healing ritual.

Folk music, pizzica, and cultural talks

The event features a program that blends folk music concerts, cultural insights, and entertainment. The evenings in Piazza San Pietro focus on pizzica and Mediterranean sounds, featuring folk orchestras and prominent guests from the Salento and national scenes. Alongside the music, the festival dedicates significant space to talks and round tables on the anthropological and social significance of tarantism, following in the footsteps of Ernesto De Martino's studies.

An identity-building project for the city

The festival is more than just entertainment: it is part of a broader identity-building project supporting Galatina's bid for Italian Capital of Culture 2028. The artistic direction has created a format that combines tradition and innovation, with awards such as the Cuore di Tufo (Tuff Heart), dedicated to Galatina's excellence, and the Donna Taranta award.

Why attend

• Experience pizzica and tarantism in their birthplace, in the historic center of Galatina.
• Attend free open-air concerts in Piazza San Pietro.
• Explore one of Salento's most fascinating traditions through expert talks.
• Discover an art city bidding to become the Italian Capital of Culture 2028.

The event is part of Salento's rich summer calendar and is designed for both locals and visitors drawn to Apulian folk culture.