Buonanotte Suonatori – The Republic of Music
The end-of-year party of the Popular Music School of Forlimpopoli, at the Rocca
About Buonanotte Suonatori
A night of popular music at the Rocca of Forlimpopoli
Buonanotte Suonatori – The Republic of Music is the most anticipated event of the Scuola di Musica Popolare (SMP) of Forlimpopoli, in the Municipality of Forlimpopoli, in the province of Forlì-Cesena, in the heart of Romagna. Born as an end-of-year school performance, the event has transformed over the years into a true widespread festival that invades the Rocca of Forlimpopoli and the squares of the center, becoming the focal point of a rich musical weekend.
A homemade Busker Festival
The formula is almost unique in Italy: over 80 students and teachers from the School perform simultaneously in multiple locations within the Rocca, from the courtyards to the internal rooms and the towers, creating a sort of self-produced street musician festival. The public wanders freely from one stage to another, discovering instruments and repertoires of popular tradition: bagpipes, accordions, hurdy-gurdies, Swedish nyckelharpa, Afro-Latin percussion, music from the Balkans and all of Europe.
The international dimension
Buonanotte Suonatori attracts students, teachers, and enthusiasts from all over Italy and from various European countries, intertwining musical languages ranging from Celtic to Balkan and Mediterranean traditions. It is this fusion that makes the evening a small "republic of music", capable of uniting different generations and cultures under the walls of the Forlimpopoli Rocca.
The Popular Music School
The Scuola di Musica Popolare of Forlimpopoli, founded in 1986 and managed by the social promotion association of the same name since 1992, is a reference point for the teaching of oral tradition music in Emilia-Romagna. With its wide range of courses dedicated to popular instruments, it enlivens the cultural life of the area throughout the year, of which Buonanotte Suonatori represents the most heartfelt celebratory moment.
Romagna tradition and identity
Set in the evocative medieval Rocca, a symbol of Forlimpopoli and already the scene of numerous city events, the festival combines the valorization of local historical heritage with a passion for popular music. For those visiting Romagna, it is the ideal opportunity to experience an authentic and participatory evening, far from the big commercial circuits, immersed in the sounds of tradition.
Buonanotte Suonatori — edition 2026
Three parties in one
The 2026 edition of Buonanotte Suonatori – The Republic of Music took place on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 8:00 PM until midnight, in the courtyards, rooms, and towers of the Rocca of Forlimpopoli. A particularly special evening, which combined three celebrations.
The first was the traditional end-of-school-year party, with over 80 students from the School performing in various parts of the Rocca in a large homemade Busker Festival. The second celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Scuola di Musica Popolare, founded in 1986, with an official ceremony attended by local administrators and a twinned delegation from Eiterfeld (Germany).
Preview with I Gang and the Orchestrona
The highlight was the preview of the project "Balli e ballate ribelli – La musica che resiste", created by the Orchestrona of the SMP, directed by Davide Castiglia, together with Marino and Sandro Severini of I Gang, pioneers of Italian combat folk. Free admission with donation.
Programme Buonanotte Suonatori 2026
- From 8:00 PM – Opening with performances by over 80 students in various areas of the Rocca
- Ceremony for the 40th anniversary of the School with the delegation from Eiterfeld (Germany)
- Preview "Balli e ballate ribelli – La musica che resiste" with the Orchestrona of the SMP and I Gang (Marino and Sandro Severini)
- Until midnight – Popular music and dances from European and world traditions
Highlights Buonanotte Suonatori 2026
- 40th anniversary of the Scuola di Musica Popolare (1986-2026)
- Preview of the "Balli e ballate ribelli" project with I Gang and the Orchestrona SMP
- Over 80 students performing throughout the Rocca
- International delegation from Eiterfeld (Germany)
Prices Buonanotte Suonatori 2026
Practical information — Buonanotte Suonatori
How to get there
Forlimpopoli is located along the Via Emilia, in the province of Forlì-Cesena. By car: exit Forlì or Cesena Nord from the A14 motorway. By train: Forlimpopoli-Bertinoro station on the Bologna-Rimini line. The Rocca is in the historic center, a few minutes' walk away.
Admission
Free admission with voluntary donation to support the Scuola di Musica Popolare.
Contacts
Scuola di Musica Popolare di Forlimpopoli, Piazza Fratti 2 – Tel. +39 0543 444621 – [email protected] – www.musicapopolare.net
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Buonanotte Suonatori
Rocca di Forlimpopoli
Piazza Fratti 2, 47034 Forlimpopoli