Colors of the Territory – Restanze (27th St. John's Festival)
St. John's Festival featuring fire rituals, independent cinema, and traditions in Spoltore
About Colors of the Territory
A festival rediscovering local roots
Colors of the Territory – Restanze is the cultural festival that brings Spoltore to life every year, a hilltop town in the province of Pescara, in the heart of Abruzzo. Now in its 27th edition, the event is promoted by the APS I Colori del Territorio ETS together with the La Centenaria Association and the Pro Loco Spoltore – Terra dei 5 Borghi ETS, under the artistic direction of Edgardo Cotellucci. The theme "Restanze" evokes the concept of 'restanza': the choice to stay, to reconnect with the memory and identity of a place, valuing what the territory preserves and passes down.
The fire rituals of St. John's Eve
The most anticipated moment is the St. John's Festival, held in Largo San Giovanni, which revives ancient Abruzzese rituals linked to the summer solstice. At nightfall, the propitiatory bonfire is lit, the water ritual is celebrated, and the exchange of the Ramajetto takes place—a small bouquet symbolizing solidarity, friendship, and mutual support. The evening is enlivened by traditional dances and the opening of the small St. John's church, featuring readings and insights into popular folk rituals.
Independent cinema and workshops
Alongside the festivities, the program offers moments for reflection and learning. The independent film festival "Through the Adriatic Looking Glass," now in its third edition, brings documentaries and auteur films to Spoltore that tell the stories of Adriatic civilizations and landscapes. There are also traditional Molise dance workshops, with groups from Acquaviva Collecroce, Schiavi d'Abruzzo, and San Giovanni Lipioni, as well as photography exhibitions dedicated to fire rituals.
An event bridging memory and community
- Photography exhibition on the St. John's fire rituals in Spoltore
- Author talks and book presentations on the theme of 'restanza'
- Small Farmers' Market with local products
- Traditional Abruzzese and Molise dances
The event confirms itself as a cornerstone of identity for the Spoltore community and the entire Pescara area, blending culture, entertainment, gastronomy, and folk tradition into a single journey celebrating the roots of Abruzzo.
Colors of the Territory — edition 2026
2026 Edition – "Restanze"
The 27th edition kicked off on Thursday, June 11 at the Municipal Hall in Piazza D'Albenzio, with the presentation of the program, a meeting with author Florideo A. Matricciano regarding his book "Fughe d'inchiostro e venti di restanza," and the inauguration of the photography exhibition "The St. John's fire rituals in Spoltore." On Sunday, June 14, the workshop "La Spallata di Acquaviva Collecroce" was held, dedicated to traditional Molise dances. On Wednesday, June 18, the third edition of the independent film festival "Through the Adriatic Looking Glass" featured screenings of "Civiltà Transumanti" by Anna Kauber and "La pietra del santo" by Andrea Malandra.
The St. John's Festival on June 20, in Largo San Giovanni from 5:00 PM to midnight, featured the Small Farmers' Market, the opening of the small church with readings and insights into Abruzzese rituals, traditional dances, the exchange of the Ramajetto, the water ritual, and the lighting of the propitiatory bonfire, concluding the event in Spoltore, in the province of Pescara.
Programme Colors of the Territory 2026
2026 Program
- Thursday, June 11 – Municipal Hall (Piazza D'Albenzio): 5:30 PM program presentation; 6:00 PM meeting with Florideo A. Matricciano; 7:30 PM inauguration of the photography exhibition "The St. John's fire rituals in Spoltore" and aperitif.
- Sunday, June 14 – 5:00 PM-8:00 PM: "La Spallata di Acquaviva Collecroce" workshop on traditional Molise dances.
- Wednesday, June 18 – 9:00 PM: 3rd Independent Film Festival "Through the Adriatic Looking Glass" with "Civiltà Transumanti" and "La pietra del santo".
- Saturday, June 20 – Largo San Giovanni, 5:00 PM-12:00 AM: Small Farmers' Market (5:00 PM), Church opening and readings (6:00 PM), traditional dances (8:00 PM), Ramajetto exchange and water ritual (9:00 PM), lighting of the St. John's bonfire (10:00 PM).
Highlights Colors of the Territory 2026
- Lighting of the propitiatory St. John's bonfire
- Exchange of the Ramajetto and water ritual
- Adriatic independent film festival
- Traditional Molise dance workshops
- Photography exhibition on fire rituals
Prices Colors of the Territory 2026
Practical information — Colors of the Territory
Location
Events take place between the Municipal Hall in Piazza D'Albenzio and Largo San Giovanni, in the historic center of Spoltore (PE).
How to get there
Spoltore is just a few kilometers from Pescara: by car, it can be reached via the A14 motorway (Pescara Ovest-Chieti exit) or the A25. The reference train station is Pescara Centrale, connected to the town by bus. The Abruzzo Airport of Pescara is also nearby.
Admission
All events are free. It is recommended to check the schedules on the organizers' official pages.
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Where does it take place — Colors of the Territory
Largo San Giovanni