Hunger and Thirst Festival

The festival that kicks off summer in Lunigiana

The Hunger and Thirst Festival is a traditional culinary festival held every late June in Filattiera, a small town in the Lunigiana region of the Massa-Carrara province, in the far north of Tuscany. It is one of the most anticipated events of the season: for three nights, the medieval village transforms into a large village of taste, with food stalls set up in the ancient cellars and storage rooms of the town, which are normally used as tool sheds.

A jovial name, a curious history

The origin of the name is playful and dates back to the late nineties. The event was born from the ashes of the previous 'Pig Festival': when food supplies ran out too quickly, leaving participants literally hungry and thirsty, the organizers had the idea of renaming the event with this ironic name. Since then, the festival has grown to become a classic of the Lunigiana summer. After a break in 2018, it was relaunched in 2023 by a group of young people who refounded the Filattiera Pro Loco, bringing one of the town's most cherished traditions back to life.

The heart: Lunigiana cuisine

The absolute star is the typical gastronomy of Lunigiana. Among the specialties that can be tasted in the village cellars:

• Testaroli, the iconic dish of the Lunigiana tradition, served with pesto or meat sauce;
• Spalla cotta filattierese, a typical cured pork shoulder from the town and a true local pride;
• Focaccette and sgabei, fried dough treats to be enjoyed hot;
• Mixed grills, sausages, skewers, and sliced steak;
• Torta d'erbi (herb pie) and other peasant cuisine dishes, accompanied by local wines.

Music, dancing, and the Bodeguita

The festival is not just about food. Every evening, the post-dinner atmosphere in Piazza Castello comes alive with live music, concerts, DJ sets, ballroom dancing, and karaoke. Not to be missed is the famous Bodeguita, the corner dedicated to sangria and bruschetta which, along with draft beer and cocktails, accompanies the evenings until late. The atmosphere is typical of Italian village festivals: informal, jovial, and welcoming.

A village to discover

The setting is one of the event's strengths: the medieval village of Filattiera, with its walls and the castle overlooking the Magra valley, provides a stunning backdrop. The festival is also an opportunity to visit one of the most authentic territories in Tuscany, far from the beaten tourist paths, where Lunigiana preserves castles, Romanesque parish churches, and a unique culinary culture. Admission is free.