Friseddhe, Purpette and Wine Festival

A festival in the heart of Grecìa Salentina

The Friseddhe, Purpette and Wine Festival is one of the most cherished gastronomic events of the summer in Sogliano Cavour, a small town in the province of Lecce that is part of the Grecìa Salentina, an area with ancient Grika traditions in lower Salento. Every year, in the heart of the village, the event transforms Piazza Diaz into a grand popular gathering where the scent of baked bread and wine accompanies festive evenings open to residents and visitors alike.

The stars of the table

The very name of the festival reveals its menu, built entirely around three symbols of the most genuine Salento cuisine:

• Friseddhe (or frise): the typical twice-baked bread of Salento, made from wheat or barley, soaked in water and topped with fresh tomato, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and oregano.
• Purpette: traditional peasant-style meatballs, prepared according to home recipes and served hot at the stalls.
• Wine: local wine, an expression of Salento grape varieties such as Negroamaro and Primitivo, which pairs perfectly with every dish.

Alongside these signature dishes, there is no shortage of other Apulian gastronomic specialties, from baked goods to seasonal preparations, offered by the stalls set up for the occasion.

Music, pizzica, and festive atmosphere

The festival is about more than just food: the evenings are enlivened by live music and the rhythms of the pizzica, the traditional Salento dance that engages the audience until late at night. The streets and the main square fill with families, young people, and tourists in a climate of conviviality that is the hallmark of Salento village festivals.

Sogliano Cavour and its traditions

Beyond the summer festival, the Municipality of Sogliano Cavour experiences another highlight of its community life with the patronal feast of Saint Lawrence the Martyr, celebrated on August 10th and linked to the town's mother church. The Friseddhe, Purpette and Wine Festival fits into this calendar of traditions, offering the chance to discover an authentic village in Apulia, far from the most crowded destinations but rich in identity and flavor.

Why attend

For those visiting Salento in summer, this festival represents an immersion into local popular culture: typical products at affordable prices, traditional music, and the genuine hospitality of a small community. A simple and authentic experience, ideal for savoring the true gastronomic soul of the Grecìa Salentina.