Cantabimbi

Cantabimbi, the voice of the little ones in Albanella

Every summer, the Museo Hangar in Albanella, in the heart of the Salerno province, transforms into a stage dedicated entirely to children. Cantabimbi is the singing competition promoted by the Sophia Association with the patronage of the Municipality of Albanella: an evening where dozens of young performers take the stage to sing for their community, their families, and an audience arriving from across the entire Cilento region.

Born a few years ago as a small village initiative, the event has grown edition after edition to become one of the most anticipated summer highlights in this corner of Campania, filling the Museo Hangar space and engaging families, teachers, and volunteers through months of preparation.

The 2026 edition: forty children on stage

The 4th edition took place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, starting at 8:30 PM. 40 children aged between 4 and 12 took the stage, divided into five categories based on age, for a total of 28 performances.

The musical theme of the year focused on great hits from the 90s and 2000s: a journey through songs that parents recognize from the first chord and that children reinterpret with their own spontaneity. The finale brought all forty young singers together for a choral moment to the notes of Heal the World by Michael Jackson, carrying a message of peace and hope that has now become the signature of the event.

A jury of professionals and many awards

Performances are evaluated by a jury composed of musicians and entertainment industry professionals. The rules include:

• three prizes for each of the competing categories;
• a series of special mentions rewarding emotion, interpretation, charm, breakthrough performance, stage presence, charisma, and sweetness;
• a symbolic recognition for all participants, ensuring no child goes home empty-handed.

Much more than a singing contest

As the president of the Sophia Association, Annamaria Vito, points out, Cantabimbi is above all an educational journey: in the months leading up to the evening, children learn not only to sing but also to listen to each other, show respect, share the stage, overcome shyness, and believe in themselves a little more. The competitive aspect remains intentionally light, and the evening is structured as a collective celebration where the audience's applause is just as valuable as the jury's verdict.

The Museo Hangar, the town's cultural space

The choice of the Museo Hangar is no coincidence: it is Albanella's multi-purpose cultural space, reopened in recent years thanks to the work of local associations and used for exhibitions, workshops, conferences, and shows. Its large, informal structure is well-suited for a July evening, with the stage set in the center and the audience arranged all around.

Albanella, between Piana del Sele and Cilento

Albanella is a hilltop town in the province of Salerno, overlooking the Piana del Sele and at the gateway to the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. It is a land of buffalo mozzarella, artichokes, olive oil, and wine, and in summer, the calendar is packed with festivals, patron saint feasts, and musical events. Cantabimbi fits into this rhythm with a special note: putting children, not famous guests, at the center of the scene.

A free event, open to all

Admission is free, with no reservation required. Next to the stage, a food area is set up with seasonal dishes and local Cilento products, allowing the competition to become a complete evening: arrive before sunset, dine outdoors, and then settle in to listen to the young stars. An ideal appointment for those spending their holidays between Paestum, Capaccio, and the Cilento coast looking for an authentic evening in the hinterland.