Caper Festival (Caper in Bloom Festival)

The Salina Caper Festival

The Caper Festival, also known as the Caper in Bloom Festival, is one of the most cherished events on the island of Salina, in the Aeolian archipelago (province of Messina). It takes place in the picturesque village of Pollara, a hamlet of the municipality of Malfa, on the western side of the island: the very landscape that served as the backdrop for the film Il Postino. The event brings the Piazzetta di Sant'Onofrio to life, a natural terrace suspended over the sea that offers one of the most spectacular sunsets in the entire Mediterranean.

The Caper, Gold of Salina

The absolute star of the festival is the Salina caper, harvested by hand among dry-stone walls and terraces, a symbol of the island's heroic agriculture. During the festival, local volunteers and professional restaurateurs prepare numerous caper-based dishes: from tomato sauces to caponata, as well as fish dishes and preserves. The caper is paired with other typical Salina products, primarily Malvasia delle Lipari and passito, among the most renowned sweet wines in Italy.

Aeolian Music and Traditions

For one evening, the small square transforms into a large open-air dining area, enlivened by folk music: in past editions, traditional Aeolian and Sicilian songs have been performed by local groups such as the Compagnia Popolare Liparense. The festival begins at sunset and continues until late in the evening, with tastings, dancing, and the convivial atmosphere typical of small Aeolian villages.

A Historic Event of the Aeolian Summer

Now in its thirtieth year (the 28th edition was held in 2018), the Caper Festival has been the first major event of the summer season in Salina for decades, attracting residents and visitors from all the islands of the archipelago every year. It is the perfect opportunity to discover Pollara, the caper as a local specialty, and the gastronomic identity of the municipality of Malfa, in the heart of the Aeolian Islands.