Bulåggna Sound – Festival of Bolognese Dialect Song
The "Sanremo" of dialect song from Bologna, between Bologna and the municipalities of the Metropolitan City
About Bulåggna Sound
A "Sanremo" in Bolognese Dialect
Bulåggna Sound is the new competition for Bolognese dialect songs, described by many as "the Sanremo in Bolognese style." Promoted by the Municipality of Bologna and the Metropolitan City of Bologna, in Emilia-Romagna, it was created with the aim of promoting the Bolognese vernacular as a living language and a tool for contemporary creativity. Contestants are asked to present an original song in dialect – including territorial variations from the metropolitan area – along with a performance of a traditional Bolognese classic.
Where and When
The first edition debuts on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 9:15 PM in Piazza della Pace in Bologna, as part of the Bologna Portici Festival and Bologna Estate. From there, a tour of evenings will take place throughout June and July in the squares of six municipalities in the Metropolitan City, before the grand final on August 14 on the Crescentone of Piazza Maggiore, where the winning song will be proclaimed.
Bolognese Tradition and Filuzzi
The competition is part of a broader program dedicated to Bolognese popular culture: alongside the competition evenings, there will be Filuzzi dance music, "Impariamo la Filuzzi" (Let's Learn Filuzzi) workshops, and events animating the city's summer. Participation is open to all musical genres, as long as they are sung in dialect, and registration for the call for entries is free.
Why it's Worth the Trip
For visitors to Bologna, Bulåggna Sound offers a rare opportunity to hear the Bolognese dialect live and discover a music scene that blends memory and contemporaneity. The setting is exceptional: from the squares of the metropolitan area municipalities to the monumental heart of the city, with the final taking place in the evocative Piazza Maggiore.
Bulåggna Sound — edition 2026
The first edition of Bulåggna Sound opens on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 9:15 PM in Piazza della Pace, as part of the Bologna Portici Festival, and unfolds in a tour of evenings in the municipalities of the metropolitan area, leading to the final on August 14 on the Crescentone of Piazza Maggiore. The format includes the performance of an original song in Bolognese dialect alongside a traditional Bolognese classic.
Admission to all evenings is free and no reservation is required.
Programme Bulåggna Sound 2026
Opening Night — Friday, June 5, Piazza della Pace (9:15 PM)
Special guest Andrea Mingardi, accompanied by Maestro Maurizio Tirelli and vocalist Emanuela Cortesi. Also performing is Fausto Carpani. Hosted by Marco Piazza and Silvia Parma.
The first four competing projects:
- Franco Benazzi – Andrea Fiumi
- Paolo Buconi
- Gruppo Emiliano di musica popolare
- Ripinzi
Metropolitan Tour — June/July
The competition evenings continue in the squares of six municipalities in the Metropolitan City of Bologna: San Benedetto Val di Sambro, San Giovanni in Persiceto, San Lazzaro di Savena, Castenaso, Medicina, and Casalecchio di Reno. A total of 28 contestants compete over seven evenings.
Final — August 14, Piazza Maggiore (Crescentone)
During the final evening, on the Crescentone of Piazza Maggiore, the winning song of the first edition will be proclaimed.
Related Program
- Impariamo la Filuzzi – Free dance workshops (June 6-7, 7:30 PM, Piazza della Pace), organized by Carlo Pelagalli
- Filuzzi in Piazza – Dance evenings (9:15 PM): June 6 Davide Salvi Filuzzi Quartet; June 7 Massimo Tagliata Trio
Highlights Bulåggna Sound 2026
Prices Bulåggna Sound 2026
Practical information — Bulåggna Sound
How to Get There
The opening evening is held in Piazza della Pace in Bologna; the final in Piazza Maggiore (Crescentone), in the historic center, easily reachable on foot from the station and city center parking lots.
Admission
Admission is free and no reservation is required. On the evenings of the events, a refreshment area is open from 6 PM.
Information
The program and registration details are published on the website of the Municipality of Bologna (comune.bologna.it).
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Where does it take place — Bulåggna Sound
Piazza Maggiore (Crescentone)
Piazza Maggiore, 40121 Bologna