Feast of the Patron Saint Cyril of Alexandria

The patronal festival of Carpino

In the heart of the Gargano, in the province of Foggia, the small town of Carpino celebrates its most cherished event every year: the Feast of the Patron Saint Cyril of Alexandria, bishop and Doctor of the Church, whose liturgical solemnity falls on May 18th. It is the day when the entire Carpino community gathers around its protector, blending the spiritual dimension of faith with the joyful, boisterous spirit of a traditional Apulian village festival.

A tradition between the sacred and the popular

The festival begins at the first light of dawn with the traditional firing of firecrackers and the parade through the village streets by the Carpino Brass Band, the local ensemble that has always set the rhythm of the day. In the morning, the solemn Eucharistic celebration is held in the church dedicated to Saint Cyril in Piazza del Popolo, attended by civil and military authorities, followed by the procession that carries the statue of the saint through the town's streets.

The most moving moment is the religious parade: from balconies and windows, the people of Carpino shower the streets with rose petals, dedicated to the Madonna of the Rosary, and broom petals for Saint Cyril. The broom, in particular, evokes the saint's episcopal mitre, which local tradition affectionately calls the "hat of Saint Cyril."

Music, folklore, and entertainment

Alongside the devotional aspect, the Carpino festival is also about music and fun. In the afternoon and evening, Piazza del Popolo and the town center come alive with live concerts, DJ sets, cabaret shows, and the inevitable traditional Salento dances, the pizzica and the taranta, which find a natural home in Carpino: the town is world-famous for its folk heritage and the Carpino Folk Festival. The day always concludes with a spectacular fireworks display, illuminating the Gargano sky.

Carpino, capital of Gargano folk music

Visiting Carpino during the patronal festival means discovering an authentic village in the Gargano hinterland, overlooking Lake Varano and surrounded by ancient olive groves that produce exceptional olive oil. The Feast of Saint Cyril is the perfect opportunity to experience Apulian hospitality, taste local products, and get swept away by the ancient rhythm of the pizzica in one of its original homelands, between the Province of Foggia and the green heart of Puglia.