Isabella's Summer

The village that becomes a theatre

Isabella's Summer is the summer festival that has enlivened Valsinni for over thirty years. This village in the Province of Matera was made famous by the Renaissance poetess Isabella Morra. Organised by the Pro Loco of Valsinni as part of the Isabella Morra Literary Park, the event transforms the village's alleys and castle into a large open-air stage.

Travelling performances among the stones

The programme alternates travelling theatre performances and storytelling that bring the poetess's story and the village's history back to life. Among the most beloved events are: "Il Borgo Racconta" (The Village Tells), a narrative journey with jesters and storytellers; "Isabella: le voci del borgo" (Isabella: Voices of the Village), where local characters recount Isabella's tragic story; and "Benedetto Croce a Valsinni", which commemorates the philosopher's visit in 1928. To top it off, the videomapping show "Io Isabella" is projected onto the castle walls.

Supper clubs under the stars

Not just theatre: Isabella's Summer also offers supper clubs under the stars, evening dinners featuring traditional Lucanian cuisine, in an atmosphere suspended between history and poetry. Over the years, the festival has established itself as an unmissable event for residents and visitors alike, capable of uniting generations through concerts, shows, literary encounters, and conviviality.

Isabella Morra, immortal voice

Living in the 16th century and murdered at just twenty-five, Isabella Morra is one of the most intense voices in Italian poetry. The Literary Park and Isabella's Summer preserve her memory, restoring the romantic and literary charm to the village of Valsinni.