Old Times Festival

A dive into the Ostuni of yesteryear

The Old Times Festival is one of the most beloved and long-standing events of the summer in Ostuni, in the Province of Brindisi, in the heart of the Salento region of Puglia. Organized by the Gruppo Folk La Stella with the patronage of the Municipality of Ostuni, the festival reconstructs the atmosphere, sounds, colors, and flavors of Ostuni at the turn of the 20th century, offering residents and tourists a true journey back in time.

Where it takes place

The natural stage for the festival is Viale Oronzo Quaranta, the evocative walkway on the ancient walls that connects Porta San Demetrio to Porta Nova, overlooking the olive groves and the Adriatic Sea. The pristine historic center of the so-called White City provides the backdrop for the entire event, which comes to life every evening starting at 7:00 PM.

Ancient crafts

The heart of the festival is the trades of the past, recreated live by artisans and performers in costume. Along the route, you will encounter:

• the knife grinder sharpening scissors and knives;
• the blacksmith working wrought iron;
• the ropemaker and the umbrella maker;
• artisans weaving straw, wicker, reed, and bamboo to create baskets;
• women busy with embroidery and preparing handmade pasta.

There is no shortage of vintage agricultural tools and animal-drawn transport, bearing witness to the rural life of the territory.

Traditional flavors

Ample space is reserved for food and wine, with tasting corners dedicated to the specialties of popular Apulian cuisine: puccetedde and pettole (fried leavened dough), homemade orecchiette, friselle, roasted meats, typical sweets, and, of course, local wine.

Music, dance, and pizzica

As evening falls, the festival lights up with the songs and dances of the Gruppo Folk La Stella. A highlight is the performance dedicated to the pizzica pizzica tarantata, the symbolic dance of the Salento tradition, often performed near the church of Madonna della Stella. The Old Times Festival is much more than a village fair: it is a living guardian of Apulian popular culture, capable of passing on memories, customs, and flavors to new generations.