Convivio al Monte

Convivio al Monte: Culture and Community in Alta Irpinia

Every summer in July, the village of Montella, in the province of Avellino, dedicates nine days to culture with Convivio al Monte. The event takes place entirely within the Complesso Monumentale del Monte, the ancient settlement that overlooks the village from the hilltop, bringing together exhibitions, meetings with authors and scholars, concerts, theatre performances, screenings, and tastings of local products. It is not just a series of disconnected events: each edition revolves around a central theme that serves as a common thread, from the memory of Irpinia's medieval castles to glimpses between past and present, and reflections on peace and the common good.

A location that is a destination in itself

The Complesso Monumentale del Monte is one of the symbols of Montella. Dominated by an imposing medieval tower and overlooking the ruins of the ancient castle, it preserves the monastery's original rooms—the cells, the cloister, the kitchens, the refectory—which, during the festival, become exhibition halls, stages, and meeting spaces. From the summit, the view sweeps across the Calore valley and the peaks of the Picentini Mountains: a panorama that, at sunset, turns open-air concerts into unforgettable experiences. In 2025, a historic pedestrian path was inaugurated, reconnecting the complex to the town below and restoring the traditional climb to the community.

Exhibitions and Literature

Exhibitions are a cornerstone of the event and remain open throughout the festival. Over the years, the monastery's spaces have hosted reconstructions of ancient Roman kitchens, photographic narratives of the Irpinian landscape accompanied by texts from local writers such as Franco Arminio, and reportage dedicated to lands marked by contemporary conflicts. Alongside the exhibitions, there is a dense program of book presentations and public dialogues, featuring guests from the worlds of culture, journalism, law, and civil society.

Music, Theatre, and Cinema

The musical section spans various genres and formats: chamber music with guest international academies, klezmer repertoire, dawn concerts, and, in recent editions, a jazz festival dedicated to the theme of peace featuring nationally renowned soloists and ensembles. Theatre is present both through evening performances and theatrical guided tours that lead the public inside the complex's rooms, while cinema finds its place with open-air screenings and short film festivals.

The Irpinian Table

The name of the event is no coincidence: the convivio (banquet/gathering) is an integral part of the project. Food experiences and tastings highlight the products of Alta Irpinia, starting with the Montella PGI Chestnut, the first Italian product to receive European recognition, and the Podolico caciocavallo cheese from the Picentini mountains, as well as wines from the province of Avellino. In some editions, cuisine itself became a subject of exhibition, with the reconstruction of historical recipes served to the public.

A festival built by the community

Convivio al Monte was born from the collaboration between the Municipality of Montella and the Arciconfraternita del SS. Sacramento, the owner of the complex, with the support of the Province of Avellino and the participation of schools, volunteer associations, and local businesses. The Youth Forum plays an important role, managing the social gatherings and cultural aperitifs, alongside the Women's Council, which promotes inclusion initiatives. It is this network of volunteers that makes such a dense program possible in a town of just a few thousand inhabitants.

When to go

The event takes place in the second half of July and lasts about nine days, with events concentrated in the late afternoon and evening hours, when the temperature at the summit becomes pleasant. Montella is a great base for exploring Alta Irpinia: the Picentini Mountains Regional Park, the trails towards Monte Terminio, and the abbeys and villages of the Calore valley are all within easy reach.