La Ballata dei Briganti

An event that tells the story of Sannio brigandage

La Ballata dei Briganti is the summer event through which the Pro Loco of Solopaca, in the municipality of Solopaca in the province of Benevento (Campania), brings the phenomenon of post-unification brigandage of Southern Italy back to life. The organizers have always clarified the nature of the initiative: it is not a celebration of brigands, but a true historical re-enactment, built on documents, studies, and popular memory, and approached with a spirit of objectivity. The stated goal is to remember a past that is not too distant, deeply linked to these territories.

The 18th-century poem by Antonio Di Santo

The narrative heart of the event is a poem published in the 18th century dedicated to the deeds of the brigand Antonio Di Santo, a figure who entered the oral tradition of the Telesina Valley. In some editions, the text has been performed by students from the Telese and Solopaca schools, accompanied by the school orchestra and choir: a way to entrust new generations with a story that belongs to the community. Solopaca, after all, was closely affected by the phenomenon: the caves and dense woods of the Taburno-Camposauro massif could easily hide the bands that roamed these mountains.

The costumed pageant and traditional games

The most spectacular part takes place in the streets and squares of the village. In various editions, the program has included:

• Historical costumed pageant with brigands on horseback and townspeople along the streets of the center, in the past from Corso Cusani to Via Roma;
• Cheese rolling (Ruzzola del formaggio), an ancient popular game re-proposed on Via Roma with the collaboration of the Pro Loco of Pontelandolfo;
• Excursion to the brigands' sites, with a morning meeting at the Pro Loco headquarters and a walk through the sites linked to the bands;
• Guided tours of the historic center, with the opening of an ancient oil mill;
• Food stalls with typical period dishes.

Conferences, books, and cinema

A large part of the program is dedicated to cultural enrichment. Among the conferences hosted over the years are "The Popular Brigand Epic. The figure of the brigand in 19th-century popular literature," with the participation of Professor Domenico Scafoglio of the University of Salerno and municipal administrators, and "Brigands yesterday, today and… tomorrow," hosted at the Palazzo Ducale. There is no shortage of book presentations—such as the one dedicated to the work of Francesco Mastriani—photographic exhibitions such as "The dawn of the nation: Risorgimento and Brigandage in Italian cinema," and screenings, from the film "O Re" by Luigi Magni to the documentary "Vento di Terra" dedicated to the Solopaca musician Enzo Matarazzo.

Folk music and festivities at the Palazzo Ducale

In the evening, the focus shifts to the Palazzo Ducale, where the folk festival takes place with brigand songs and dances. The event has hosted folk music groups, such as the Moifà, and in one edition, it promoted a competition for folk music groups with a cash prize for the winning band. There have also been dance evenings in Piazza Municipio and live concerts. In 2022, the event was included in the Festa della Musica, exceptionally moving to June.

Solopaca, between vineyards and the Telesina Valley

Solopaca is a rural village in the Telesina Valley, at the foot of the Taburno-Camposauro Regional Park, known above all for its winemaking vocation. The same Pro Loco organizes the famous Grape Festival (Festa dell'Uva) in September, with a parade of artistic floats made by patiently gluing grape seeds. La Ballata dei Briganti is its winter counterpart of memory: a summer appointment that, instead of flavors, focuses on the history and identity of a community in the Benevento Sannio.

When it takes place

The event is traditionally set for the second weekend of July, with a two-day format between Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday. The dates and program for the 2026 edition have not yet been released: it is best to follow the Pro Loco of Solopaca channels for updates.