Festa te la Uliata

The Festa te la Uliata in Caprarica di Lecce

The Festa te la Uliata is the quintessential summer festival of Caprarica di Lecce, a charming town in the Salento region of Puglia. Every year, over three August evenings, the municipal park and surrounding streets fill with the aromas, sounds, and crowds of visitors from across Salento, all eager to sample the festival's star attraction: the uliata.

What is a uliata?

A uliata is a puccia, a traditional Salento bread, kneaded with black olives harvested from the local ancient olive trees and flour from the Salento countryside. Caprarica, fittingly known as the 'City of Oil', transforms its signature product into a rustic, flavorful bread, baked and served hot at the stalls. A delicious sweet version with chocolate chips is also available. Alongside the uliata, food stalls offer traditional delicacies: bruschetta, grilled meats, pittule, pezzetti al sugo (meat in tomato sauce), fries, skewers, fried fish, pasta dishes, and local desserts, all paired with local wine and draft beer.

Music, pizzica, and the Salento atmosphere

The festival's soundtrack is defined by pizzica and traditional Salento folk music, with bands enlivening the squares until late at night, interspersed with performances of Italian hits. Beside the main stage, you will find an artisan market, a zero-mile market featuring local producers, a children's area, and various talks on social and environmental issues, reflecting the event's commitment to solidarity.

A festival born from youth, dedicated to solidarity

The Festa te la Uliata was founded in 2003 by a group of young people who wanted to put Caprarica di Lecce on the map. Over time, it has become a cornerstone of the Salento summer, organized entirely to support ActionAid Italia. Funds raised are donated to solidarity projects, including long-distance child sponsorships in Africa and Asia. The festival seamlessly blends gastronomy, tradition, and social commitment, remaining true to its grassroots origins.

When it takes place

The festival is traditionally held in early August in the municipal park of Caprarica di Lecce. In 2025, the event celebrated its nineteenth edition. It is an unmissable appointment for those spending their holidays in Salento who wish to experience the most authentic side of Puglia, surrounded by rustic flavors, live music, and warm hospitality.