Comune in Fiore

Comune in Fiore: Perdifumo blooms again

Conceived in 2019 by Laura Avella and Annamaria Cappuccio, Comune in Fiore returned to life on May 23, 2026, after a seven-year break, thanks to the dedication of Avella herself and the patronage of the Pro Loco Perdifumo e Frazioni, chaired by Agostino Pisano. This is not just a floral display competition: it is the story of a community choosing to express itself through the colors of flowers, art, participation, and a deep connection to its land.

Perdifumo is a small municipality of just over 1,800 inhabitants, nestled at an altitude of 436 meters in the heart of the Cilento region, in the province of Salerno, within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. Here, the May blooming is no mere artificial backdrop: olive groves, vegetable gardens, home gardens, and Mediterranean scrub literally become part of the installations.

The blooming corners: a competition across the village

The event's format is simple and highly engaging. Fifteen stations are set up along the streets and squares of the municipality, each about a hundred meters apart: every team creates its own "blooming corner" using flowers, plants, decorative elements, and objects from rural history. The result is a continuous trail to be explored on foot, like an open-air exhibition.

An itinerant jury travels the entire route and evaluates the works based on three stated criteria:

• Originality and beauty of the concept and composition;
• Technique and craftsmanship in the installation;
• Impact on the territory, meaning the ability to engage with the specific site hosting the installation.

The focal point of the event is Piazza Municipio, where coordination, visitor reception, and the final awards ceremony take place.

A day of botany, school, and tradition

The morning begins with a guided botanical walk led by author Dionisia De Santis, dedicated to identifying plant species and discovering the local natural heritage: a way to understand firsthand why the Cilento is considered a treasure chest of Mediterranean biodiversity.

Ample space is reserved for the younger generations: at Piazza Guglielmini, artistic works created by students from the Castellabate comprehensive school are displayed, ranging from kindergarten to middle school. In this way, participation spans all ages of the village.

In the late afternoon, visitors explore the completed installations; in the evening, the parade of the "flower maidens" precedes the official jury awards, and the day concludes with live music in a festive atmosphere that involves the entire village.

Cilento on the plate

No Cilento festival is truly complete without its food. During the event, refreshment points serve the most iconic local dishes: fried pizza, eggplant parmigiana, and pasta frittata—simple preparations that tell the story of the Mediterranean diet in its most authentic, home-cooked version.

The hamlets take center stage

Comune in Fiore is designed as a project capable of uniting Perdifumo and its hamlets into a single mosaic of colors, scents, and traditions. Specifically involved are Vatolla, famous for the castle housing the Giambattista Vico Foundation and for its onions; Mercato Cilento with its convent and Carmine church; Camella with its religious traditions; as well as numerous districts scattered throughout, such as Difesa, Petrosa, Palma, and Noce.

The verdict of the comeback edition

In the 2026 edition, first place went to the Contrada Difesa with the theme "Echoes of Antiquity"; Mercato Cilento took second place with a composition featuring lemons; third place was awarded to the installation at the War Memorial, dedicated to peace and characterized by white doves. The jury was chaired by Mario Infante; the day was attended by Mayor Vincenzo Paolillo and the President of the Cilento National Park, Giuseppe Coccorullo.

Why it's worth visiting

Comune in Fiore does not have the scale of Italy's major flower festivals, and that is precisely its value: it is a village event where visitors meet the very people who built the displays. For those staying on the Cilento coast, between Agropoli and Castellabate, it is the perfect opportunity to head inland.