Forest and Emigrant Festival

A festival that calls home those who left

The Forest and Emigrant Festival is the mid-August highlight in Montemarano, a town in the province of Avellino, Campania, nestled in the Irpinian hills along the Valle del Calore. Created to celebrate the summer return of Montemarano natives who emigrated abroad, the event brings together two spirits: the collective memory of a community deeply shaped by emigration and the promotion of the town's forest heritage. In 2026, the festival reaches its 42nd edition, confirming its status as one of the longest-running events in the Irpinian summer calendar.

Bosco dei Morroni, the heart of the event

The stage for the festival is the Bosco dei Morroni, the municipal woodland that becomes the true meeting place for locals during the summer. Tables, stalls, and the stage are set up among the oak trees, enjoying the cool shade that is a true luxury in August. This is not just a scenic choice: the forest is a historical resource for the local economy, and dedicating a festival to it serves as a reminder that the community grew thanks to that heritage. The Bosco dei Morroni hosts other municipal events throughout the summer, but it reaches its peak attendance during these two days in August.

Folk music, tarantella, and dancing until late

The musical program is the soul of the festival. From 9:00 PM, ballroom orchestras and folk groups take the stage, while the night continues with DJ sets in the early hours. Montemarano is known throughout Irpinia for its tarantella, a dance and musical tradition that here is not just a postcard-worthy performance but a living practice, passed down from generation to generation: during the festival, it is common for dancing to break out spontaneously among the crowd, without waiting for an invitation from the stage.

The flavors of the town

Food stalls open at lunchtime and remain active until evening, offering typical Montemarano dishes accompanied by local wines. It is simple, hearty hill country cuisine that is best savored just like this: at a shared table, among the trees, with music in the background. For many emigrants returning to town for their holidays, rediscovering these flavors is an integral part of the homecoming ritual.

"Restanza" and the values of the association

The Pro Montemarano Association, which has managed the event for over forty years, has linked the festival to two declared values: solidarity and environmental protection. Over the years, editions have also been dedicated to the theme of restanza, a concept by anthropologist Vito Teti that values those who stay, those who return, and those who choose to move to the South: a way to reinterpret the history of emigration not just as a loss, but as a bond that continues to build community.

A full August in Montemarano

The Forest and Emigrant Festival is part of the rEstate a Montemarano calendar, the municipal summer program which in 2026 reaches its fourteenth edition, with events spread from late June to late September between the Bosco dei Morroni, Contrada Canali, and the Municipal Amphitheater. On the final day of the festival, August 18th, the traditional Merchandise Fair is held along the streets of the town center, bringing stalls to the village and completing the day.

Why it is worth the trip

• An authentic festival, managed by a local association rather than an event agency
• The forest setting, which makes August evenings pleasantly cool
• The Montemarano tarantella, a recognized and still-practiced tradition
• Stalls with typical local dishes at popular prices
• Free admission and a family-friendly atmosphere, suitable for those traveling with children