Festival of the Commare and Compari of Montalfano

A festival dedicated to 'commare' and 'compari'

The Festival of the Commare and Compari takes place every summer in Montalfano, one of the most populous districts of Cupello, a town in the province of Chieti, in the heart of the Abruzzese Vastese region. Established in 2017 by the cultural association Montalfano Terra Nostra and supported by the Municipality of Cupello, the event has become a permanent fixture on the local summer calendar as part of the "Cupello d'estate" festival series.

The tradition of the Saint John 'comparanza'

The festival recovers and celebrates the ancient Abruzzese custom of "Lu Sangiuvanne", the ritual of 'comparanza' linked to Saint John's Day. According to tradition, on June 24th, a respected person would receive a bouquet of wildflowers, called a Ramajette, accompanied by meaningful gifts: a sacred image, an embroidered handkerchief, greeting cards, hair ornaments, and sweets. On June 29th, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, the recipient would seal the bond by reciprocating with an even richer Ramajette.

This created a spiritual kinship between non-blood relatives: in rural communities, the 'compare' and 'commare' became lifelong protectors, serving as a pillar of social cohesion and mutual solidarity. It is this heritage of chosen brotherhood that the Montalfano Terra Nostra association has brought back to life, transforming it into a community festival open to all.

Music, taste, and community

Each edition blends historical memory with an evening of popular entertainment: live music featuring traditional Abruzzese folk bands, food stalls serving local specialties, and moments of conviviality that bring the streets and squares of the district to life. The festival draws residents, families originally from Montalfano returning for the occasion, and visitors from neighboring towns in the Vastese area.

A slice of authentic Abruzzo

The Festival of the Commare and Compari is much more than a summer food festival: it is a living narrative of a rural Abruzzo that relied on human bonds, rather than blood ties, for its support network. Attending means immersing yourself in the identity of Cupello and its Montalfano district, rediscovering an ancient ritual that still speaks of friendship and belonging today.