Hocus Focus Fest

Hocus Focus Fest: The fire of Sant'Antuono in the heart of Altavilla Silentina

In Altavilla Silentina, a medieval village overlooking the Piana del Sele in the province of Salerno, mid-January has always had a distinct scent: that of burning wood. During the days of Saint Anthony the Abbot — known locally as «Sant'Antuono» — the districts light their bonfires, an ancient agro-pastoral ritual that marks the heart of winter and seeks protection for livestock and fields. From this tradition, Hocus Focus Fest was born, a festival created by local youth to both preserve the ritual and transform it by integrating street art, contemporary music, workshops, and local cuisine.

A grassroots festival: The history of the event

The first edition took place on January 21, 2017, when the event was still called «Hocus Focus – U fuoc r' S. Antuon». It already featured the successful formula that defines it today: the Los Espantapajaros street band, a musical workshop for children using handmade instruments, and performances by Mangiatori di Loto around the fire. Over the years, the festival has grown: the 4th edition, titled «Ri-Generazioni», took place on January 18–19, 2020, in collaboration with the Municipality of Altavilla Silentina and with funding from the POC Campania 2014-2020. Today, it is managed by the Pro Loco Altavilla Silentina 2023 APS in partnership with the «U Fuoc r Sant'Antuono» association and a network of local groups.

Fire as a language: Performance and street art

The scenic heart of the festival is Piazza Umberto I, where the great bonfire is lit at dusk. Jugglers, fire-eaters, and performers move around the flames: in 2020, the festival hosted Miro Performers, Lucignolo, and Nirname, while in subsequent editions, street artists have continued to animate the alleys of the historic center. It is a spectacle that works perfectly for families, as the fire remains the protagonist without becoming mere choreography: it is always the fire of the saint's feast.

The music: From rock-folk to nu-jazz

Hocus Focus Fest features a curated musical lineup that is intentionally unconventional for a village festival. In 2020, the stage hosted Il Muro del Canto, a Roman rock-folk band singing in dialect, followed by a DJ set by Atomic Tiso, and a concert by Gio Evan, closed by a DJ set from Cosimo Skinner. The 2025 edition, titled «Vertigine», featured Amalfitano, Gabriele Mencacci's project blending Italian songwriting with rock sensibilities, and Coca Puma, a Roman voice of nu-jazz open to electronic and soul influences. This selection attracts audiences from well beyond the province.

Local gastronomy

The food stalls showcase the cuisine of the Piana del Sele and the Salerno hinterland, with dishes meant to be eaten standing up next to the fire:

• cavatelli al ragù, traditional homemade pasta;
• pasta e fagioli, the quintessential winter dish;
• sausage and broccoli sandwich, a classic pairing in Campanian cuisine;
• local wines served by the glass.

The Sant'Antuono walk and workshops

Alongside the evening festivities, the festival has developed a slower, daytime component. On Sunday morning, «The Sant'Antuono Walk» departs from Piazza Umberto I, an urban trekking tour through the historic center to rediscover the roots of the territory. In the afternoon, artistic, artisanal, and anthropological workshops are held — in 2025, these included the «In the Footsteps of Sant'Antuono» workshop and activities curated by the Argonauta association and Le Uncinettine di Lorylù. This part of the program best explains the organizers' intent: not just a simple concert night, but a work of research into collective memory.

Why it's worth the trip

In Campania, there are dozens of Saint Anthony the Abbot bonfire festivals, but few manage to combine the religious ritual — the mass with the blessing of the animals at the Madonna delle Grazie Chapel — with a contemporary cultural program. Hocus Focus Fest does this in a municipality of just over seven thousand inhabitants, with free admission, on a January weekend when the inland Salerno area is usually off the tourist radar. For those who want to experience how winter is truly lived in the province of Salerno, it is a rare event.