Festa del Ritorno con Polentata
Emigrants return to Vastogirardi between culture and polenta
About Festa del Ritorno
A festival for those who return
The Festa del Ritorno con Polentata is one of the most cherished events of the summer in Vastogirardi, a village in Alto Molise in the province of Isernia. The event was created to bring together residents and the many emigrants returning who, in mid-August, come back to the village to reconnect with their roots.
Polenta, an identity product
The gastronomic heart of the festival is corn polenta, an identity dish of the Alto Molise territory. The polentata (polenta feast) becomes a convivial moment that unites the community around the village's peasant tradition, in an atmosphere of celebration and reunion.
Culture and memory
Alongside gastronomy, the event offers educational activities, cultural debates, and photographic exhibitions dedicated to the history of the village and the experience of emigration. It is a festival that combines conviviality and reflection on the identity of a community marked, like many in the Molise Apennines, by migratory flows.
Festa del Ritorno — edition 2026
The Festa del Ritorno con Polentata 2026 is expected in Vastogirardi in mid-August, traditionally around the 20th of the month. The event, listed in the calendar of the Alto Molise MAB Reserve, brings together residents and returning emigrants around corn polenta, an identity product of the village.
As per tradition, the polenta feast is accompanied by educational activities, cultural debates, and photographic exhibitions dedicated to the history of the village, in the province of Isernia. Detailed program with dates and times will be released by the organizers.
Programme Festa del Ritorno 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition, including the polenta feast, exhibitions, and cultural debates, will be released by the organizers. Program coming soon.
Highlights Festa del Ritorno 2026
The polenta feast with corn polenta and the reunion of returning emigrants.
Prices Festa del Ritorno 2026
Practical information — Festa del Ritorno
How to get there
Vastogirardi is located in Alto Molise, in the province of Isernia, within the Collemeluccio-Montedimezzo MAB Reserve. It can be reached by car from Isernia and the Agnone area.
Tips
The festival has free admission and takes place in the historic center of the village. The polentata is the most anticipated gastronomic event: it is advisable to follow the Municipality's channels for updated times.
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Where does it take place — Festa del Ritorno
Centro storico di Vastogirardi
Centro storico, 86089 Vastogirardi