I Riti

I Riti: The rural memory of Letino

I Riti is the festival that every summer brings the rural soul of Letino back to life. Perched at an altitude of one thousand meters in the Matese Regional Park, it is the highest village in the entire province of Caserta, in Campania. The event was born from the desire to preserve and pass on the memory of haymaking—the seasonal work that followed the harvest and which, for generations, dictated the lives of Letino families. It is a heritage made of gestures, knowledge, collaboration, and respect for nature's rhythms, which has become a symbol of the village's identity.

A tradition reborn

The re-enactment has its roots in the first edition of 1995, which was resumed and relaunched in 2022 by the young people of the Associazione Giovanile Jobba. Since then, I Riti has established itself as one of the most anticipated events of the Matese summer, capable of combining the recovery of rural traditions with the innovation brought by the new generations who are repopulating the village and revitalizing mountain agriculture. The 2026 edition marks the milestone of the fifth edition.

A blend of culture, nature, and community

The festival takes place over several days and involves the entire village, from the historic center to the surrounding countryside. The program alternates between moments of reflection and conviviality:

• Conferences dedicated to local products, such as the Matese potato, featuring scholars and experts;
• Sunset trekking along the trails of the Matese to rediscover the mountain landscape surrounding Letino;
• Folk music concerts with bands from the Campanian and Southern traditions;
• Food stalls and local crafts along the streets of the historic center;
• The grand final day in the Licia area, featuring a rural aperitif, field games, horseback riding, and a theatrical performance that reconstructs the daily life of the community of the past.

Letino and the Matese

Set in one of the most evocative villages of the Campanian Apennines, overlooking the plateau crossed by the Lete River, I Riti is much more than a food festival: it is a collective narrative that binds together the past and future of a mountain community. For the visitor, it is an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of inland Campania, its genuine gastronomy, and its hospitality, far from the most beaten tourist paths.