Kascignana Festival

A music and community festival in the Greek Salento

The Kascignana Festival is a summer celebration of music, theatre, and culture held every August in Castrignano de' Greci, a small town in the Province of Lecce, Apulia. Its name pays homage to the village's ancient Griko roots, situated in the heart of Grecìa Salentina, an area where the neo-Greek dialect is still preserved. Founded in 2017 by the social cooperative Arci Lecce Solidarietà and the Municipality of Castrignano de' Greci, the festival has grown into one of the most anticipated events of the Salento summer.

The culture of hospitality

Since its inception, the Kascignana Festival has maintained a clear guiding principle: promoting the culture of hospitality through diverse forms of expression. Music, theatrical performances, meetings, and book presentations revolve around themes of humanity, peace, and civil rights. It is no coincidence that the town's gardens are named after Alan Kurdi, the young Kurdish-Syrian boy who became a symbol of the migration crisis: the festival transforms the village into a space for shared reflection, without sacrificing the joy of celebration and conviviality.

Major free concerts

A hallmark of the event is its formula of free concerts in Piazza Enrico Berlinguer, which has brought top-tier Italian and international artists to this small Salento town. Over the years, the stage has welcomed performers including Vinicio Capossela, Manuel Agnelli, Bandabardò & Cisco, Radiodervish, and Planet Funk, drawing thousands of spectators from across the region.

Beyond the music

The program extends far beyond the evening live shows. During the festival, visitors can enjoy theatrical performances, literary walks, workshops, book launches, and discussions. Meanwhile, the historic centre streets host an artisan market featuring ceramics, basketry, jewellery, and local products. The festival venues also include the Palazzo Baronale De Gualtieriis, the Alan Kurdi Gardens, and the Parco delle Pozzelle, which are among the most evocative historical and environmental landmarks in Castrignano de' Greci.

A defining local event

With its unique blend of singer-songwriter music, social commitment, and the celebration of Griko roots, the Kascignana Festival is much more than just a concert series: it is a cultural experience that showcases the most authentic and welcoming side of Salento, in a village that becomes a vibrant meeting point for audiences, artists, and the local community every August.