Dream of a Night... in That Town

When the Village Becomes Theatre

In Colobraro, at 650 metres above sea level in the Sinni Valley, the centuries-old fame of "that town" – the village that Lucanian tradition associates with bad luck and misfortune, to the point of avoiding its very name – has become a resource, a story, and an identity. From this heritage is born "Dream of a Night... in That Town", the travelling theatrical performance that fills the alleys of the historic centre every summer.

Written and directed by Giuseppe Ranoia and brought to life by about twenty-five actors, the project does not shy away from the village's reputation: it exorcises it, stages it, and subverts it with irony. The audience is led on a narrative journey through stories, legends, and rituals of Lucanian popular culture, stop by stop, while the medieval village and the Carafa Castle serve as a natural backdrop.

Four Paths, One Night

The experience is structured on multiple intertwined levels: the theatrical path, the heart of the travelling show dedicated to superstition and traditions; the museum path, with anthropological exhibitions and displays; the musical path, with popular dances and ballads; and the tourist-architectural path, to discover the Carafa Castle and the village churches.

A Collective Ritual

Visiting Colobraro during the evenings of "Dream" means participating in a small secular ritual: it is traditional to collect the "abitino", the local good luck charm, and let yourself be guided through the dark village by the actors' voices. Admission is free and no booking is required; parking is indicated by civil protection volunteers upon arrival in the village.

A Successful Event

Promoted by the Municipality of Colobraro, the show has become a case study in territorial marketing over the years: it has transformed an ancient prejudice into a cultural attraction, bringing thousands of visitors to a small town in the Matera region and providing work and visibility to an entire community.