Forcelle Farmers' Festival

A festival that rediscovers the rural roots of Abruzzo

The Forcelle Farmers' Festival is one of the most cherished summer events in the municipality of Tornimparte, in the province of L'Aquila. It takes place in the small mountain hamlet of Forcelle, nestled in the mountains of the L'Aquila hinterland, and was born from the desire to revive the lifestyles and values of the rural world of the past. The event is organized by the Santo Stefano Cultural Association, founded in 1999 by the communities of Forcelle and Colle Marino to create a social hub and rediscover the ancient traditions of the territory.

Rustic stringozzi and mountain flavors

The gastronomic heart of the festival is the rustic stringozzi festival, featuring the handmade pasta that gives the event its name. At the food stands, open every evening, you can enjoy dishes from the Abruzzo peasant cuisine prepared with ingredients strictly from the surrounding area:

• Rustic stringozzi, hand-rolled fresh pasta
• Goat and sheep cooked in the cauldron, slow-cooked in the large pot
• Arrosticini, the sheep skewers that are the symbol of Abruzzo
• Zampanella, sausages with beans, and local soup
• Desserts and typical products from the agricultural and artisanal market

Re-enactments of the rural world

Beyond the table, the Farmers' Festival offers evocative moments that tell the story of the agropastoral civilization of Abruzzo. Among the most striking are the re-enactments of haymaking and traditional cheesemaking, featuring milk processing and displays of images and tools from the farming life of yesteryear. The festival is enriched by gatherings of vintage tractors and cars, flag-waver performances, live music, and dance evenings, in a community atmosphere that involves both young and old.

A community coming together

The result of the voluntary work of local associations, the Farmers' Festival is much more than a food festival: it is the occasion where the community of Forcelle and the entire municipality of Tornimparte comes together to celebrate its roots. The event has grown over the years, attracting thousands of visitors every year to the mountains of the province of L'Aquila, in the heart of the most authentic Abruzzo.