Castelvecchio Pascoli Village Festival

A community celebration in the village of Pascoli

In the heart of the Media Valle del Serchio, in the Province of Lucca, the village of Castelvecchio Pascoli — a hamlet of the Municipality of Barga, in Tuscany — hosts its Village Festival every summer, known to all as the dinner under the stars. For many years, this event has brought together local residents and the many holidaymakers who visit the valley during the warmer months, fostering the familiar and genuine atmosphere that is the true hallmark of this gathering.

The village that provides the backdrop for the festival is no ordinary place: Giovanni Pascoli lived in Castelvecchio for a long time, writing some of his most famous pages here; he now rests in the chapel next to his home, which has since become a house museum. Attending the festival means immersing yourself in the atmosphere of a place steeped in literary history, nestled among the hills and chestnut groves of the Barga Garfagnana.

Dining under the stars

The heart of the event is the large open-air dining area set up at the multi-purpose field near the former elementary school. For three consecutive evenings, everyone dines together on local dishes prepared by volunteers, followed by dancing until late at night to the sound of ballroom orchestras. It is a self-funded, grassroots festival in the truest sense: proceeds support the activities of the Misericordia and the Blood Donors association of Castelvecchio, who organize it with the help of the entire village.

Traditional flavors

The table is the true star of the show. Among the specialties that return every year are:

• Fish soup, the signature dish of the first evening, also available by reservation and for takeaway;
• Roast pork shank with French fries;
• Tortelli with meat sauce, prepared according to tradition;
• Tripe and grilled meats;
• Homemade cakes prepared by the village women, who also compete in a friendly contest.

Music, dancing, and the cake competition

Every evening after dinner, the space turns into a dance floor: ballroom orchestras perform, keeping the party alive until late. A highly anticipated moment is the homemade cake competition, where local cooks showcase their desserts and a popular jury crowns the winner. It is a sign of a festival that remains deeply rooted in the life of the village and its gastronomic and social traditions.

A highlight of the Barga summer

The Castelvecchio Village Festival is part of the rich calendar of summer festivals in the Barga area, including the Festa della Rovella in Fornaci, the Pegnana Festival, and Le Piazzette in the historic center. For those visiting the Garfagnana and the Media Valle del Serchio in July, it is the perfect opportunity to discover local cuisine and the hospitality of a small Tuscan village.