International Folklore Festival in the Lepini Mountains

The International Folklore Festival in the Lepini Mountains

In the heart of the Lepini Mountains, at the end of July, the village of Carpineto Romano turns into an open-air stage for the International Folklore Festival in the Lepini Mountains. For a few days, the streets and squares of the historic center are filled with traditional costumes, songs, and folk dances: folk groups invited from various European countries bring their music, dance steps, and stories to Carpineto in a grand celebration of cultural encounter.

Groups from all over Europe

Every year, the festival hosts folk dance and music ensembles from across Europe alongside Italian groups. Recent editions have brought together, among others, the Hungarian Avas Folk Dance Group, the Romanian Codrisorul Ansamblul Folcloric, and the Cultura e Tradizioni Ciociare group, together with the hosts, the Sbandieratori e Musici dei Sette Rioni Storici di Carpineto Romano. Street parades, evening performances in the squares, and moments of conviviality mark the days, with the stated goal of promoting mutual understanding and dialogue between different realities.

Carpineto Romano and its Seven Historic Districts

The festival is organized by the Sbandieratori e Musici dei Sette Rioni Storici association, the same group that brings the famous Palio della Carriera to life, a historical re-enactment dedicated to the splendor of the Aldobrandini family. The town is divided into seven ancient districts—Jo Moro, Jo Casteglio, Jo Curso, Jo Laco, San Gnaco, San Pietro, and Sant'Agostino—each with its own colors and identity. This dedication to folk traditions makes Carpineto Romano a natural setting for a festival dedicated to folklore.

A bridge between peoples

More than just a series of performances, the International Folklore Festival in the Lepini Mountains is designed as a moment of exchange: local families host foreign groups, delegations share dinners, rehearsals, and tours of the area, and the public can get a close-up look at the music and dances that tell the story of each people's identity. It is an experience that combines the charm of a village festival with an international spirit.

Carpineto Romano, a village in the Lepini Mountains

Located in the province of Rome, in the southern part of the Lazio region, Carpineto Romano is a village perched in the Lepini Mountains, known as the birthplace of Pope Leo XIII. Its historic center, made of alleys, 17th-century churches, and panoramic views of the valley, offers an authentic backdrop for the festival. Watching the performances of the folk groups in this setting means experiencing the festival while discovering a fascinating and lesser-known corner of the Lazio hinterland.