Bread and Peace

Bread that unites, in a village reborn

Bread and Peace is the summer festival that, in the heart of August, breathes life back into the stone houses of Frattura Vecchia, a mountain hamlet in the municipality of Scanno, in the province of L'Aquila. Nestled at an altitude of over 1,200 meters, overlooking Lake Scanno and bordering the Sagittario Gorges, this ancient village was almost entirely destroyed by the 1915 Marsica earthquake. Survivors rebuilt their homes further down the valley, leaving the old dwellings to fall into disrepair. For several years now, the De Rerum Natura APS association, led by Paolo Casalvieri, has chosen these ruins for a rebirth project that restores memory, social connection, and a future to the village.

Bread as a symbol

The central theme of the event is bread: a food that has accompanied humanity since the Neolithic era, not just as sustenance but as a symbol of sharing and social unity. The day is built around this theme, weaving together culture, gastronomy, and community with the goal of highlighting local resources and traditions while promoting a model of sustainable tourism. The event is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Scanno.

The threshing re-enactment

The day begins in the morning with a historical re-enactment of wheat threshing, following the ancient agricultural practices of the Abruzzo Apennines, accompanied by folk songs and music. Performers in traditional attire, along with animals and vintage tools, vividly recount the peasant world of the Sagittario Valley—an intangible heritage at risk of disappearing.

Tastings, chefs, and the flavors of Abruzzo

After the re-enactment, the village pulses with music and flavor. A food and wine trail winds through the restored houses, featuring food stalls serving cured meats, cheeses, bread, and arrosticini, while guided tastings by reservation pair local dishes with artisanal Abruzzo wines. Local bakers and chefs take turns at the stove, telling a story that centers on bread and local flours.

Workshops, music, and families

Plenty of space is reserved for children, with experiential workshops dedicated to wood-fired bread making, wool processing, beekeeping, and nature discovery. In the afternoon and evening, live music and local craft exhibitions transform the village into a meeting place for the entire community.

A project against depopulation

Bread and Peace is more than just a festival: it is a milestone in the annual project that the De Rerum Natura association carries out for the sustainable development of the inland areas of Abruzzo. By restoring stone houses, cultivating the land, and involving children and young farmers, the association works year-round to combat depopulation and bring life back to a village otherwise destined for silence. The same organization also hosts the sister event, "De Rerum Natura in Frattura Vecchia," at the beginning of July.