Festa 'ejji Canistri

A festival that tells the story of the Marsica of yesteryear

The Festa 'ejji Canistri takes place every summer in Santo Stefano, a small village in the municipality of Sante Marie, in the heart of the Marsica region in the province of L'Aquila (Abruzzo). The event, organized by the Pro Loco of Santo Stefano di Sante Marie, is a re-enactment of the wedding customs of the peasant civilization of the past, when joy and sharing were the foundation of community life.

The canistri, stars of the parade

The heart of the event is the canistri: baskets lavishly decorated with ribbons and lace, filled with the food that was once gifted to the newlyweds to set the wedding feast. As the afternoon fades, local women in traditional dress parade with these baskets on their heads in a captivating procession that includes associations and groups from neighboring towns. The wedding attire worn spans decades of local history, from the 1920s to the 1980s.

Glimpses of peasant life

For the occasion, the entire village of Santo Stefano is transformed: characteristic corners are set up to faithfully reproduce scenes of past life, featuring domestic and agricultural tools and evidence of ancient crafts. It is a journey through memory that restores the authentic atmosphere of village life.

Local flavors and music

After the parade, the cellars open with food stands dedicated to local products. The menu is a tribute to local cuisine and tradition, featuring dishes such as mezze maniche all'amatriciana, potato and bean soup, crostini with primo sale cheese and truffle, as well as skewers and sausage sandwiches with turnip greens. The evening is enlivened by a folk group performing traditional Abruzzese songs, creating an engaging and genuine atmosphere.

A heritage to preserve

Reaching its seventeenth edition in 2025, the Festa 'ejji Canistri is much more than a food festival: it is an act of preserving the roots and traditions of the Marsica territory, capable of bringing different generations together around the shared memory of the Sante Marie community.