Fiera delle Forche Festival

A festival that tells the story of Abruzzo's peasant culture

The Fiera delle Forche is one of the most cherished summer events in Sant'Eusanio Forconese, a small town in the Aterno Valley, in the province of L'Aquila, in the heart of Abruzzo. Established in 2013, the event takes its name from the forche (pitchforks), the ancient wooden and wicker agricultural tools once used for hay and grain processing, which now serve as symbols of a rural culture the town guards with pride. Each edition transforms the historic center into an open-air museum of peasant life.

Piazza Cavour, the heart of the event

The core of the fair is Piazza Cavour, in the village's historic center. The square holds deep symbolic value: after the damage caused by the 2009 earthquake that struck the L'Aquila area, it returned to hosting the community thanks to this very festival, becoming a tangible sign of the town's rebirth. Here, on August evenings, locals, returning emigrants, and visitors from across the province gather together.

Markets, exhibitions, and craftsmanship

The festival program typically features the afternoon opening of local craft markets and the exhibition of antique agricultural tools, showcasing everyday objects from rural life. Among the most characteristic elements are the hay-bale puppets and straw installations that decorate the alleys and squares of the village, evoking the ancient traditions of harvesting and threshing.

Traditional rustic cuisine

Gastronomy is the soul of the Fiera delle Forche. The stalls offer dishes strictly handmade with fresh, farm-to-table ingredients, following local peasant recipes. Unmissable specialties include:

• pappardelle alla mul'nara (miller-style), pasta rolled by hand by the local women;
• minestra di gnocchetti e fagioli, a hearty and traditional peasant soup;
• the inevitable Abruzzo arrosticini (sheep skewers), grilled over charcoal;
• homemade sausages, bruschetta, and traditional desserts.

Music, dancing, and evenings in the square

Every evening after dinner, the square comes alive with live music, concerts, group dances ranging from ballroom to Caribbean, and late-night DJ sets. The fair is organized by the Fiera delle Forche Committee and is made possible by the work of over a hundred volunteers, who ensure this remains one of the most authentic village festivals in the L'Aquila area.