Folklore Festival

A deep dive into Aurunci traditions

The Folklore Festival is the annual event where Castelnuovo Parano, a village perched in the Aurunci Mountains in the province of Frosinone, celebrates its identity and the folk traditions of lower Lazio. For a day, the village transforms into an open-air stage where dances, music, costumes, and flavors tell the story of the rural and mountain culture of this corner of Ciociaria overlooking the Garigliano valley.

Parades, dances, and folk groups

The heart of the event lies in the performances by folk groups, who bring traditional dances and songs to the stage while wearing authentic local costumes. The parades wind through the village and converge at the Centro Polivalente, the main hub of the event, where shows, musical moments, and opportunities for interaction between the Aurunci communities take place.

• Traditional costume parades through the village streets
• Performances of folk dances and music
• Tastings of local products
• Food stalls featuring local specialties

Local flavors

In Castelnuovo Parano, folklore is also experienced through the palate. The food stalls and tastings of local products offer a chance to discover the flavors of Aurunci cuisine: traditional rural dishes, cured meats, cheeses, olive oil, and seasonal delicacies. It is the perfect opportunity to savor the hospitality of a village that values welcoming guests and conviviality as core parts of its identity.

Community, heritage, and nature

Promoted by the XIX Comunità Montana Arco degli Aurunci, the Municipality of Castelnuovo Parano, and the Monti Aurunci Natural Park, the Folklore Festival aims to enhance local cultural heritage and strengthen the deep bond between the community, collective memory, and the natural environment. The setting is the evocative park, amidst olive groves, forests, and trails that make the Aurunci Mountains one of the most fascinating protected areas in southern Lazio.

A village to discover

Attending the festival is also a great way to explore Castelnuovo Parano, a tiny municipality of a few hundred inhabitants that preserves the authentic atmosphere of Ciociaria villages. Its location, a short distance from Cassino, the Via Appia, and the border with Campania, makes it an ideal stop for those wishing to combine the discovery of folk traditions with an itinerary through the villages and trails of the Monti Aurunci Natural Park.