Balla Taranta Mia

When Tarantella Becomes Ritual

There is an ancient thread that links the beating of feet on the earth to the rituals of the Mediterranean, and in Potenza, that thread takes shape with Balla Taranta Mia, the tarantella masterclass directed by Maria Anna Nolè — dancer, choreographer, and author — hosted in the evocative Civic Gallery of Palazzo Loffredo. The event, part of the Maggio Potentino program, is the second national stop of the project after Rome.

A Journey, Not Just a Lesson

Maria Anna Nolè's proposal is not a classic dance lesson: it is an immersive, educational, and anthropological path that explores tarantella to reach the roots of tarantism, an ancient phenomenon of healing and liberation. Eight "Visions" guide participants through the historical and philosophical roots of Mediterranean traditions, references to classical rituals — the Greek aiòresis, the Roman tripudium — up to the dance technique, with attention to posture and body awareness, and contemporary emotional expression through rhythm and movement.

An Evening Open to All

The event, curated by the Iatrida Cultural Association, is aimed at both dance professionals and those simply curious about traditional culture. The setting is the Maggio Potentino, the program of cultural initiatives promoted in the capital of Basilicata that enlivens the city's spring with music, dance, and popular memory.