Happennino – Cultural and Environmental Festival of the Hinterland

A festival that tells the story of the hinterland

Happennino is the cultural and environmental festival that for several years has enlivened the inland areas of the Apennines between the provinces of Pesaro and Urbino, in Marche. Born to give voice and new vitality to small mountain villages, the festival is now a reference event for those who want to experience the Marche hinterland authentically, far from the most beaten tourist routes. The event is organised by the Happennino Cultural Association and involves a network of Municipalities in the upper Metauro valley.

Peglio and the Torre del Girone

Among the protagonist municipalities, the Municipality of Peglio (Province of Pesaro and Urbino) holds a special place: at 700 metres above sea level, it is one of the highest villages in the hinterland and overlooks a panorama stretching from the Metauro hills to the Adriatic Sea. The Torre del Girone, an ancient symbol of the village, traditionally hosts the festival's discussion panels, particularly the events dedicated to the future of the highlands, experienced at sunset in a secluded and evocative atmosphere.

A distributed festival across multiple villages

Happennino is a distributed and itinerant event: the appointments are spread across several municipalities in the upper Metauro valley, including Peglio, Piobbico, Mercatello sul Metauro, Borgo Pace, Sant'Angelo in Vado, and Lunano. Each village hosts a segment of the programme, transforming the entire valley into a large open-air stage. This formula allows visitors to discover churches, convents, archaeological areas, squares, and paths that rarely enter traditional circuits.

The programme

Happennino's programme combines cultural dimension and environmental focus through a varied and high-profile schedule:

• Concerts and musical performances with artists from the Italian scene;
• Talks, readings, and thematic discussions on ecology, regional identity, and inland areas;
• Performative shows, theatrical monologues, and storytelling;
• Nature treks and workshops dedicated to discovering the Apennine environment;
• Gastronomic events featuring local products and exhibitions.

An experience between culture and nature

What makes Happennino a special festival is its ability to intertwine the live cultural experience with the identity of the places: each event is designed to dialogue with the landscape and the community that hosts it. Over the years, the event has become a laboratory on the theme of inland areas, capable of attracting nationally renowned guests and an attentive and curious audience to the Marche, who appreciate a slow and immersive way of experiencing festivals.