International Folklore Meeting

A bridge between peoples in the heart of Abruzzo

Every year, between late July and early August, the small town of Penna Sant'Andrea, in the province of Teramo, becomes the stage for one of the longest-running and most cherished folk events in Abruzzo. The International Folklore Meeting brings dance groups and musical ensembles from all over the world to the village square; recent editions have featured delegations from Mexico, Poland, Croatia, Colombia, Peru, and other Italian regions. For three days, the village streets are filled with colorful costumes, songs, and distant rhythms in a celebration that blends spectacle, cultural exchange, and the rediscovery of local roots.

The Laccio d'Amore, the heart of the festival

The true symbol of the event is the Laccio d'Amore, an ancient dance still alive and passed down through generations in Penna Sant'Andrea. Twelve pairs of dancers weave twenty-four colorful ribbons around a central pole, creating ever-changing patterns—simple, paired, four-strand, double-ribbon, and braided—to the rhythm of the saltarello, accompanied by the organetto, accordion, tambourine, guitar, and putipù. The weaving of the ribbons, guided by commands in the local dialect, holds deep nuptial significance: it symbolizes the union of the couple, collaboration, and the bond with the community. Since 2005, based on documentation of the dance's centuries-old presence in the town, the Abruzzo Region has recognized the Laccio d'Amore as part of its intangible heritage.

History of a long-standing event

The festival was born in the mid-seventies through the vision of Cesare Baiocco and the late mayor Antonio Fabri, and is organized by the Laccio d'Amore Cultural Association in collaboration with the local Pro Loco. Over the years, the Meeting has grown into a true international showcase, capable of placing a village of a few thousand inhabitants at the center of the global folk scene, in the spirit of continuity, passion, and the cultural identity of the Teramo territory.

Parades, shows, and flavors

The program combines parades of folk groups along the village streets, evening performances in the square, and moments of dance shared with the public. Alongside the shows, the Pro Loco sets up food stalls featuring local products: the star is the wood-fired homemade bread, celebrated by the Bread Festival, along with gnocchi and other Abruzzo specialties. Admission is free, and the area is accessible to people with disabilities.

Why it's worth visiting

• One of the oldest international folklore festivals in Abruzzo, now in its 48th edition.
• The Laccio d'Amore, a dance recognized as regional intangible heritage, performed even by the local children.
• Dance and music groups from multiple continents in an authentic village in the Teramo Apennines.
• Local food and wine, including the homemade bread festival and typical Abruzzo products.