Basula Fest

Basula Fest: A folk celebration on the slopes of Mount Etna

Basula Fest is one of the most beloved folk music festivals on the Etna side, organized annually on April 25th, coinciding with Liberation Day, at Parco di Cosentini in the municipality of Santa Venerina, in the province of Catania. Born from the initiative of the Associazione Linera in Movimento and local groups, the event has grown over time into a highly anticipated gathering for those who love traditional music, dance, and open-air meetings in a green corner of Eastern Sicily.

The tambourine: The signature instrument

The heart of the festival is the tambourine, an instrument that serves as a common thread throughout the day. Around it revolve the tammurriata, Southern Italian folk dances, and Mediterranean sounds, in a constant dialogue between the ancient and the contemporary. Basula Fest defines itself as a free space, open to musicians and enthusiasts of all levels and backgrounds, to exchange experiences and play together in a festive atmosphere that goes far beyond a simple concert.

Artists on stage

Over the years, the Basula Fest stage has hosted numerous names from the folk and research scene: from Salento's Pino Zimba with his Zimbaria to Sicilian musicians like Massimo La Guardia and Michele Piccione, as well as storytellers, percussion groups, and ethnomusicology ensembles from Southern Italy and the Balkan area. The program alternates between concerts, shared dance moments, and open jams, always maintaining a strong bond with the roots of traditional music.

Gastronomy and atmosphere

Basula Fest is more than just music: Parco di Cosentini comes alive with Sicilian gastronomy stands, where you can enjoy grilled sausage, traditional dishes, beer, and local wine while listening to the artists on stage. People eat and drink in good company, dance in the dedicated area, and enjoy a day in the open air in the true spirit of community gathering. The natural setting of the park, amidst the greenery of the Etna territory, makes the experience even more evocative.

A free event open to all

As every year, the festival is strictly free to enter: a choice that underscores its communal and inclusive spirit. For Santa Venerina and the entire Etna area of Sicily, Basula Fest represents an opportunity to rediscover traditional music, enhance the local territory, and come together around an idea of celebration built on freedom, music, and sharing.