Festival of Ancient Sounds

A festival dedicated to Southern folk music

The Festival of Ancient Sounds was born in 1999 from the vision of a group of enthusiasts dedicated to ancient musical instruments and has since become one of the most anticipated events in Cilento. The festival takes place in Novi Velia, a town in the province of Salerno, Campania, and every late summer, it fills the historic center with the sounds of the South's rural and devotional traditions. The organizers' stated goal is to preserve, promote, and pass on the rich heritage of folk music and the cultural memory of the Cilento territory, strengthening the historical identity of the region.

Bagpipes, ciaramelle, accordions, and chitarre battenti

The festival brings together players of ciaramelle, bagpipes, chitarre battenti, accordions, and flutes from Campania, Basilicata, Calabria, and Puglia. On the stage in Piazza Longobardi, traditional performers, local singers, and contemporary folk ensembles take turns, offering everything from Cilento tarantellas and devotional chants to tammurriate and Mediterranean rhythms. Past editions have hosted groups from the Gargano, Pollino, Molise, and Vesuvius areas, alongside international folk music projects.

The bond with the Madonna del Sacro Monte

The event is deeply rooted in the devotion to the Madonna del Sacro Monte of Novi Velia, the sanctuary located on the summit of Mount Gelbison at an altitude of 1,707 meters. It is no coincidence that the evenings traditionally open with a procession through the historic center and devotional songs by local tradition-bearers: the pilgrimage to the Sacro Monte has for centuries been a unifying element for the communities of inland Cilento, and the festival captures its sonic dimension.

The 2026 edition

The 25th edition has been announced for September 4, 5, and 6, 2026, featuring three evenings of concerts in the historic center with its hub in Piazza Longobardi. The detailed program, including the artist lineup, has not yet been released; as usual, it will be presented in the weeks leading up to the event, often during a press conference held in the cloister of the former Convento dei Celestini or at Palazzo Sant'Agostino, the seat of the Province of Salerno.

Workshops, exhibitions, and meetings

The festival is more than just a concert series. Recent editions have included:

• folk dance workshops, ranging from Cilento tarantella to Montemarano and Carpino styles;
• traditional cooking workshops, where local women teach how to prepare fresh pasta and mozzarella nella mortella;
• seminars, conferences, and presentations in the cloister of the former Convento dei Celestini;
• an exhibition fair of ancient and artisanal musical instruments;
• the Award dedicated to Marcello Colasurdo, presented annually to a leading figure in folk music.

The flavors of Cilento

Throughout the evenings, the village is filled with food stalls dedicated to Cilento cuisine and local traditions: cacioricotta podolica, mozzarella nella mortella, artisanal cured meats, homemade pasta dishes, and traditional sweets accompany the music. The Municipality of Novi Velia publishes an annual public notice for operators interested in setting up a stall, highlighting how the event also serves as a promotional opportunity for small local producers.

A medieval village to discover

The festival is the perfect occasion to visit Novi Velia, a medieval village featuring gates, churches, baronial palaces, the ancient episcopal seat, and the Norman Tower that dominates the town. The village is located in the heart of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, just a few kilometers from Vallo della Lucania and less than an hour from the beaches of Ascea, Casal Velino, and Pisciotta: music, nature, and the sea all come together within a very short distance.

Who organizes the festival

The event is promoted by the municipal administration of Novi Velia with the involvement of the "Nascette a Novi" association and the artistic direction of Ettore De Lorenzo and Pina Speranza. The Province of Salerno and the Campania Region collaborate on the organization, together with the National Park Authority: institutional support that has allowed the festival to grow into one of the main cultural events of the Cilento summer.