I Fanòve di San Giuseppe

I Fanòve, the Saint Joseph bonfires in Bitritto

The Fanòve di San Giuseppe represent one of the most cherished traditions in Bitritto, a small town in the Metropolitan City of Bari, Puglia. Every year, around March 19th—the day dedicated to Saint Joseph—the historic center, and specifically Piazza Aldo Moro, lights up with large bonfires around which the entire community gathers.

The local dialect term fanòve comes from the Greek φανός (fanòs), meaning "torch" or "light": a direct reference to fire as the central element of the ritual. This ancient celebration weaves the religious significance of the Saint Joseph feast with one of the most characteristic folk traditions of the Apulian territory, where Saint Joseph bonfires dot dozens of towns on the same night.

Two days of festivities in the square

The event spans two days, March 18th and 19th. As the bonfires are lit at dusk, the square comes alive with live music, performances, and entertainment for all ages. Surrounding the fire, you will find:

• the lighting of the large traditional bonfires;
• the Bassa Musica (traditional brass band) parading through the town streets;
• concerts and musical performances;
• theatrical shows in the Bitritto dialect, recounting the festival in the local tongue;
• craft and artisan markets;
• a funfair for children;
• tastings of local products and legumes cooked in large cauldrons, following the old peasant custom.

A tradition guarded by the community

The event is organized by the Pro Loco of Bitritto "Casa Torre" in collaboration with the Municipality of Bitritto, with the support of the Puglia Region. A rich calendar of side events revolves around the bonfires: photographic exhibitions on the history of the Fanòve, creative recycling displays, and guided walks among the town's fires. It is a festival that deeply belongs to the Bitritto community and, every March, attracts visitors from neighboring towns in the province of Bari, all eager to experience one of the most authentic fire rituals in Puglia.