National Review of the Pasquella

The Pasquella, the song that opens the year

The National Review of the Pasquella in Montecarotto is one of the most distinctive events of Marche folklore. Every year, around Epiphany, the hillside village in the province of Ancona becomes the stage for an ancient peasant custom: the Pasquella, the first ritual song of the year. Groups of singers, accordions, and folk instruments travel through the village streets, singing songs of good wishes from house to house, following the forms of winter alms that have their roots in pre-Christian beliefs and ancient rites of fertility and abundance.

A tradition revived in 1985

The review was founded in 1985 as the first event of its kind in the Marche region, with the aim of reviving a living testimony of popular culture that had almost disappeared with the end of sharecropping. From the beginning, it has been led by the historic group La Macina, a national reference for research on folk singing, joined by numerous groups from all over Italy. Over the years, the Montecarotto Pasquella has become a true national review, capable of attracting scholars, enthusiasts, and traditional singing groups.

The ritual of door-to-door singing

The heart of the event remains on January 6th, Epiphany Day. From the morning, invited groups spread out through Montecarotto and knock on doors, bringing the Pasquella song and receiving in return small offerings of food, wine, and money, according to the ancient pact of reciprocity. At noon, the singers gather in Piazza del Teatro for a spontaneous and collective concert, followed by a community lunch of greeting and thanks offered to all groups and collaborators.

Concerts and La Pasquella at the Theatre

Alongside the street ritual, the review offers major concerts in the Teatro Comunale and the traditional afternoon event "La Pasquella a Teatro", where all participating groups perform together in a grand celebration of voices and instruments, accompanied by narration and research into traditions. Among the performers over the years have been La Macina, the Macina-Gang, and musicians like Marco Poeta.

Montecarotto, village of Verdicchio

The setting is Montecarotto, a charming village in the Ancona hinterland, famous as the land of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi. Visiting the Pasquella also means discovering a town of clockmakers and organ builders, its intimate squares, and the typical hospitality of the inner Marche region. It's an opportunity to experience the start of the year amidst folk music, community warmth, and excellent local food and wine.