Donor Festival

A festival that celebrates the gift of giving

The Donor Festival is an event that brings the village of Cantalupo in Sabina, in the province of Rieti, Lazio, to life every spring. Created to support the culture of blood donation, the day combines civic commitment with village conviviality: at its core is blood collection via a mobile unit, but all around it, a festival of music, markets, and good food takes shape.

The initiative is promoted by the Pro Loco of Cantalupo in Sabina in collaboration with AVIS, actively involving the residents of the village and the neighboring towns of the Lower Sabina area. Donating thus becomes a concrete gesture of participation, experienced together in a festive atmosphere.

Blood donation and community

The most important moment of the day is the opportunity to donate blood directly in the village: the mobile unit remains in the center for the entire day, welcoming both regular donors and those approaching the act of giving for the first time. It is a precious occasion for a small town, where every donation has immense value for the local area and regional hospitals.

Surrounding the collection is a program designed to engage all ages: market stalls, a charity lunch with proceeds donated to good causes, and live music accompanying the afternoon.

Music takes center stage

The festival's soundtrack is provided by bands that animate the village streets. Past editions have featured the Black Brass Band, with its overwhelming repertoire of street brass, and the local group Generico, which has deep ties to the area. In many cases, the musicians participate first as donors and then take the stage: a dual gesture that perfectly summarizes the spirit of the event, where solidarity and joy go hand in hand.

A Sabina village to discover

Cantalupo in Sabina is a characteristic Lazio village perched among the olive groves of Sabina, a land famous for its high-quality extra virgin olive oil. The historic center, with its alleys and squares, provides the ideal backdrop for an authentic village festival, far from the major tourist circuits and still deeply rooted in the local popular traditions.

Participating in the Donor Festival means not only performing an act of solidarity but also experiencing a day of community in one of the most genuine villages in the province of Rieti, amidst music, local flavors, and the warm welcome of the Sabina people.