Community Festival

A community festival in the heart of Medicina

The Community Festival is the event that every year brings together the inhabitants of Medicina, a populous town in the plain east of Bologna, around the Parish of San Mamante. It is not a commercial fair or a big music festival: it is a village festival in the truest sense of the word, created to strengthen community ties and open the parish doors to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. The heart of the events is the Villa Maria park, a large green space that for a few days comes alive with tables, games, music, and moments of prayer.

Tradition, faith, and conviviality

The festival combines the spiritual dimension with the convivial one, typical of Emilia-Romagna. The Holy Masses mark the days, with particularly heartfelt celebrations such as the renewal of marriage vows, the celebration for new eighteen-year-olds, and the collection of donations and food items to support the parish Caritas. Around the church and in the park, moments of social gathering unfold: the food stand with piadine, crescentine, and aperitifs, communal lunches and dinners by reservation, and the unmissable local culinary specialties.

Emilian gastronomy

The table is the absolute protagonist of the festival. Among the most anticipated offerings is the tigellata, an evening dedicated to tigelle (or crescentine) accompanied by traditional cured meats and cheeses. The communal lunches offer local dishes such as sedanini with ragù, roast with potatoes and friggione, dessert, water, and wine: a simple and genuine menu that tells the story of the peasant cuisine of the Bassa bolognese.

Games, tournaments, and activities for everyone

The Community Festival is designed for all ages. Tournaments for children, young people, and adults take place in Villa Maria park, while enthusiasts can participate in the chess tournament. For the little ones, there are play areas, animated readings, and entertainment moments, in a festive atmosphere. Among the cultural initiatives are the guided tours of the San Mamante bell tower, organized in small groups: an opportunity to discover the town and its historical-religious heritage from above.

An event rooted in the territory

Organized by volunteers from the Parish of San Mamante, the Community Festival is one of the most cherished events in the Medicina calendar. It is a free-entry event that combines faith, solidarity towards the most vulnerable, and the pleasure of being together, confirming the parish's role as a point of reference for the community of Medicina and the Metropolitan City of Bologna, in Emilia-Romagna.