Farindola International Arts Festival

An art festival in the mountains of Abruzzo

The Farindola International Arts Festival (FIAF) is one of the most original cultural experiences in inland Abruzzo: an international artist residency that brings visual artists from all over the world to the village of Farindola in the province of Pescara every summer, set against the backdrop of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. For about two weeks, the village turns into a sprawling studio where painting, sculpture, installation, land art, and printmaking are born in direct contact with the mountain landscape.

Origins and Mission

The festival was founded in 2015 by British artist Paul Critchley and Helen Conlon, with the goal of attracting artists to Farindola and showcasing this corner of Abruzzo, beloved by nature and hiking enthusiasts. Over the years, the event has hosted over sixty artists of more than twenty different nationalities from Europe, Asia, and North America. The core idea is to offer artists time and freedom to develop their projects in constant dialogue with the history, territory, and community of the village.

How the Residency Works

The heart of FIAF is the residency for a select group of visual artists, who are hosted in the houses of the historic center and provided with shared workspaces. The festival is not just an exhibition; it is an open creative process where the public can watch works take shape.

• Artists at work in the village streets: Every day in the late afternoon, artists work outdoors among the alleys, small squares, and picturesque corners of the village.
• Open studios and workshops: Moments where artists share techniques and stories with visitors and enthusiasts.
• Exhibitions in the historic center: Temporary displays featuring the works created during the residency alongside pieces from previous editions.
• Concerts and presentations: Evening events, such as sunset concerts, that accompany the presentation of the works.

Farindola and the surrounding area

Located in the municipality of Farindola, in the Province of Pescara, the village offers artists and visitors a natural setting of rare beauty: the slopes of the Gran Sasso, the pastures and forests of the National Park, and typical flavors like the famous pecorino di Farindola cheese. FIAF was born from the encounter between this environmental heritage and international contemporary creativity, making Abruzzo a place of cultural exchange and artistic experimentation.

Why attend

Visiting Farindola during the festival means experiencing art in an authentic way: not in front of a museum wall, but through the streets of a mountain village, following artists as they create. It is a perfect opportunity to combine hiking in the Gran Sasso Park, Abruzzese gastronomy, and a cultural program with an international reach.