Dialect Poetry Competition

The Bovino Dialect Poetry Competition

In the heart of the Monti Dauni, the Dialect Poetry Competition in Bovino stands as one of the most deep-rooted literary events in the Foggia mountains. Organized by the Pro Loco Bovino UNPLI, the award gathers numerous vernacular compositions each year, presenting them to the public during a reading and award ceremony held in the historic center of the village, in the province of Foggia.

A tradition spanning nearly half a century

Founded in the late 1970s, the competition reached its 49th edition in 2025, making it one of the longest-running dialect festivals in Puglia. Every year, the Pro Loco publishes the official rules, collects the entries, and entrusts a jury with the task of selecting the winning texts, which are often read publicly during the event.

Dialect as intangible heritage

The competition was born with a precise goal: to safeguard the Bovinese dialect and, more broadly, the local idioms of the Monti Dauni, recognized as the community's intangible heritage. Vernacular poetry thus becomes a tool of memory, capable of passing down idioms, trades, landscapes, and feelings that might otherwise be lost. Alongside local authors, the award welcomes voices writing in the dialects of the entire Daunian area.

Within the setting of the Agosto Bovinese

The award ceremony is part of the Agosto Bovinese calendar, a dense program of events that enlivens the town in the final part of the summer. The competition takes place just a few days before the famous Historical Cavalcade, a re-enactment that parades through the village streets every late August. Visitors arriving in Bovino for the poetry will find the entire town in celebration, featuring shows, food festivals, and traditional rituals.

Bovino, one of Italy's most beautiful villages

Known as the "village of 800 stone portals," Bovino is listed among The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy and has been awarded the Orange Flag by the Italian Touring Club. The Municipality of Bovino overlooks the Cervaro valley from its paved alleys, dominated by the Ducal Castle of Norman origin and the Co-Cathedral Basilica. Participating in the competition is also an opportunity to discover one of the most evocative historic centers in inland Puglia.

Useful information

The competition is organized and managed by the Pro Loco Bovino UNPLI, which publishes the call for entries and regulations on its website every year. Public attendance at the award ceremony is free of charge. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced; the event is traditionally held at the end of August, in the days leading up to the Historical Cavalcade.