Council of Sangiacomesi in the World
The annual assembly of the Monte San Giacomo diaspora, held every July 29th at Palazzo Marone
About Council of Sangiacomesi
A return to roots in the heart of the Cilento hinterland
Every year on July 29th, Monte San Giacomo—a village perched between the Vallo di Diano and the Cilento National Park in the province of Salerno, Campania—becomes a meeting point for a community far larger than its permanent residents. The Council of Sangiacomesi in the World is the annual assembly that gathers the municipal administration, the «Sangiacomesi nel mondo» socio-cultural committee, and representatives of clubs founded abroad around the identity of this town within the halls of Palazzo Marone.
What is the Council?
It is not a food festival or a music concert in the traditional sense: it is a civic and cultural event, public and free, where the community takes stock of its bond with its emigrants. The common thread is migration storytelling, which involves collecting and sharing the stories of those who left so that their legacy is not lost. It is also a moment of celebration for the clubs that have sprung up around the world while remaining tied to the territory. The institutional part is followed by an outdoor social gathering and an evening show that opens the meeting to the whole town and passing visitors.
The 2026 edition: the 5th Council
The fifth edition was held on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, with proceedings opening at 7:00 PM at Palazzo Marone. After the institutional session, attended by Mayor Angela D'Alto, civil and religious authorities, and MEP Lello Topo, the community gathered outdoors for a social moment. The evening concluded in the Villa Comunale with «Incantesimo napoletano», a Neapolitan music and cabaret show directed by maestro Luciano Capurro. Emotion and shared pride marked the entire day, with Sangiacomesi returning from several continents.
The «Sangiacomesi nel mondo» Committee
The association that supports the Municipality in organizing the event has a history spanning over forty years: founded in 1984, it celebrated its forty-first anniversary in 2025. After a period of inactivity, it restarted in 2022 when the city council amended the statute (May 31, 2022) and the first assembly was held (June 16, 2022), appointing a new nine-member board, an auditor, and an arbitration board. Since that year, July 29th has been the day dedicated to members, inaugurated in 2022 with a gala dinner. The Committee brings together those living abroad and those who have moved elsewhere in Italy for work, study, or lifestyle choices, and remembers deceased members, including Angelo Rocco Calabrese.
The «Roots Tourism» project
The Council is part of the municipal project on Roots Tourism, which in 2025 ranked fourth in the Campania Tourism Agency call for proposals (POC Campania 2014/2020 programming). The project aims to strengthen the relationship between the community and emigrants through genealogical research workshops, censuses of descendants, and targeted cultural programming, also carried out in collaboration with the Pro Loco Monte San Giacomo.
A summer of events in the village
The Council is the centerpiece of a busy summer calendar promoted by the Municipality. In the summer of 2026, the program included, among other things:
- July 23 — conference «The faith that crossed the Atlantic from Monte San Giacomo to Hoboken» at the Sanctuary of Sant'Anna;
- July 25 and 26 — celebrations of the Patron Saints Giacomo and Anna;
- July 27 — concert by Lorenzo Fragola in Piazza Sandro Pertini;
- July 31 and August 1 — «Monte San Giacomo and its nations», a food and wine tour in the historic center dedicated to the countries that welcomed Sangiacomese emigration;
- August 8 — Tindamè Street Festival with The Zen Circus;
- September 10 — International Mediterranean Documentary Film Festival.
Why it's worth attending
For those visiting the Cilento hinterland in summer, the Council is a rare opportunity: not a show staged for tourists, but an authentic community ritual where a village of a few thousand souls dialogues with its diasporas in Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States. Admission is free and the evening show is open to everyone, in a square that returns to being filled with dialect, stories, and returning faces during the summer.
Council of Sangiacomesi — edition 2026
The fifth edition
On July 29, 2026, Monte San Giacomo hosted the 5th Council of Sangiacomesi in the World, an annual event that brings together the Municipality, the «Sangiacomesi nel mondo» socio-cultural committee, and representatives of Sangiacomese communities abroad. The proceedings opened at 7:00 PM in the halls of Palazzo Marone, in the historic center of the Salerno village.
Institutions and community
The institutional session was attended by Mayor Angela D'Alto, municipal administrators, civil and religious authorities, and MEP Lello Topo. At the heart of the meeting, as in previous editions, was the story of emigration and the relationship between the town and its descendants scattered between Europe and the Americas, within the framework of the municipal project on Roots Tourism.
The social gathering and evening show
After the assembly part, the community gathered outdoors for a social moment, before moving to the Villa Comunale for the end of the day: «Incantesimo napoletano», an overwhelming show of Neapolitan music and cabaret directed by maestro Luciano Capurro, designed to bring smiles and emotions to those present. «Thanks to everyone who made this extraordinary evening possible», was the Mayor's thank you at the end of the evening.
In the 2026 summer calendar
The Council was part of a particularly rich summer in Monte San Giacomo, between the celebrations of the Patron Saints Giacomo and Anna on July 25 and 26, the Lorenzo Fragola concert on July 27 in Piazza Sandro Pertini, and the food and wine event «Monte San Giacomo and its nations» on July 31 and August 1.
Programme Council of Sangiacomesi 2026
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 — Monte San Giacomo (SA)
- 7:00 PM — Palazzo Marone: opening of the 5th Council of Sangiacomesi in the World. Institutional session with the municipal administration, the «Sangiacomesi nel mondo» socio-cultural committee, and representatives of diaspora clubs.
- Speeches: Mayor Angela D'Alto, civil and religious authorities, and MEP Lello Topo; the work focused on migration storytelling and the Roots Tourism project.
- Following: outdoor social gathering with the community and Sangiacomesi returned from abroad.
- In the evening — Villa Comunale: «Incantesimo napoletano», Neapolitan music and cabaret show directed by maestro Luciano Capurro. Free admission.
Highlights Council of Sangiacomesi 2026
- The only official annual meeting between the Municipality and the Sangiacomese communities that emigrated to Europe and the Americas.
- The setting of Palazzo Marone, in the historic center of the village.
- Migration storytelling: testimonies and memories collected so as not to lose track of them.
- The outdoor social gathering, open to residents and guests.
- «Incantesimo napoletano» by Luciano Capurro in the Villa Comunale, Neapolitan music and cabaret to close the evening.
- The presence of MEP Lello Topo and civil and religious authorities.
Prices Council of Sangiacomesi 2026
Practical information — Council of Sangiacomesi
Where
Palazzo Marone, historic center of Monte San Giacomo (SA), Postal Code 84030, province of Salerno, Campania. The evening show is held in the Villa Comunale, just a few steps away.
When
Every year on July 29th, with proceedings opening at 7:00 PM.
How to get there
- By car: A2 «del Mediterraneo» motorway, exit Sala Consilina or Padula-Buonabitacolo, then provincial roads towards Monte San Giacomo (about 15-20 minutes from the toll booth).
- By train: Reference stations are Sapri or Sicignano-Buccino, then bus lines or rental cars; there is no direct rail connection to the village.
- By plane: Salerno-Costa d'Amalfi or Naples-Capodichino airport, then by car.
Admission
Public and free event, both for the Council session and the evening show.
Contacts
Municipality of Monte San Giacomo — tel. +39 0975 75006 — official website comune.montesangiacomo.sa.it. Organization shared with the «Sangiacomesi nel mondo» socio-cultural committee.
Tips
The village is located at a hilly-mountainous altitude: even in July, evenings can be cool, so a light sweater is recommended. Parking is limited in the historic center; it is better to leave the car along the access roads. Those staying in the area can combine the visit with the Vallo di Diano, the Certosa di Padula, and the Cilento National Park.
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Where does it take place — Council of Sangiacomesi
Palazzo Marone