Ceveze Festival – The Black Gold of Vesuvius

Ceveze: The Black Gold of Vesuvius

"Ceveze" is the local Vesuvian dialect term for mulberries, specifically the black variety that thrives in the volcanic soil of Ottaviano, in the province of Naples. These delicate fruits are hand-picked in early July and do not travel well, which is why they nearly vanished from markets—and why they have now become a symbol of local agricultural pride. The residents of Zabatta have always called them "the black gold of Vesuvius." For decades, local farmers would take their ceveze to the coastal resorts to sell to vacationers; the income was so significant that it was said to be enough to provide dowries for their daughters.

A grassroots festival in Zabatta

The festival was founded in 2023 by APS La Zabatta, a social promotion association established in 2019 and led by Bruno Capitano. Rooted in the countryside between Ottaviano and San Giuseppe Vesuviano, the association's goal goes beyond just hosting a party: they are working to create a sustainable supply chain for the mulberry, caring for local groves and promoting artisanal processing so that the value of the harvest remains within the community. The event takes place along Via Recupe, in the space in front of the local school, and has earned the patronage of the Municipality of Ottaviano and the Vesuvius National Park.

What to eat

Here, the mulberry is not just a garnish; it is the star of the entire culinary experience. Common dishes and products found at the festival include:

• Fresh ceveze, served in cups;
• Trofie or cortecce pasta with mulberry pesto, the festival's signature dish;
• Jams, preserves, and mulberry syrup, prepared by local families;
• Sandwiches and traditional Vesuvian street food;
• Wine and drinks served at outdoor tables.

The timing is strictly seasonal: the festival is always held in early July, when the mulberries reach peak ripeness and flavor.

Folk music, theater, and folklore

The evenings follow a well-established format, with artistic direction by Sasà Giordano and stage hosting by the association's spokespeople. The program alternates between Neapolitan folk music concerts, tammurriate, and traditional dance groups, with activities for children—including theater workshops—and dedicated spaces for local youth. The event also features a charity raffle and, in some years, morning sports events like local running races. It is a true village festival: people dance in the street, sit alongside the very people who picked the fruit that morning, and stay late into the night.

Ottaviano and the Vesuvian slopes

Ottaviano is one of the municipalities on the eastern slope of Mount Vesuvius in Campania and is part of the Vesuvius National Park. Visiting the Ceveze Festival is the perfect excuse to combine the event with a day on the volcano. The park's trails and the surrounding agricultural towns—San Giuseppe Vesuviano, Terzigno, Somma Vesuviana—form a landscape where lava, fruit, and local cuisine tell the same story.

When to go

The event is held annually in early July, spanning two or three evenings. Activities typically begin in the late afternoon and continue until late at night. As this is a neighborhood event, the detailed program is usually published a few days in advance on the APS La Zabatta social channels; it is recommended to check times and guest lists before traveling.