Paese in Arti

A summer of art in the village of Fontecchio

Paese in Arti is the summer cultural festival of Fontecchio, a small medieval village of about three hundred inhabitants immersed in the green Aterno Valley, within the Sirente-Velino Regional Natural Park, in the province of L'Aquila (Abruzzo). Promoted by the Municipality of Fontecchio with the support of numerous local associations, the program spans the entire month of August, transforming the historic center into a widespread stage with events tailored for every age group.

A program spread across alleys and palaces

Events take place in the village's most evocative spots: Piazza del Popolo with its 14th-century Fountain with Masks, Palazzo Galli, the municipal library, the village's cobblestone alleys, and the gardens overlooking the river. The festival weaves together different languages: chamber music, literature, nature, and popular traditions, fostering a dialogue between the resident community, guest artists, and visitors.

Music, books, and workshops

The musical heart of the event lies in the concerts by young musicians from the Rome Chamber Music Festival, who bring programs dedicated to the great classical repertoire to Palazzo Galli. Alongside music, there is space for literary encounters with book presentations and authors, itinerant workshops like Passi e pagine, and creative walks aimed at children and families. The programming also includes moments dedicated to nature, such as the opening of gardens and oases, and community events that celebrate gathering and sharing.

The patronal feast and traditions

A traditional and recurring element of the calendar is the patronal feast, which enlivens the village in mid-August with religious, cultural, and convivial moments. Over the years, Fontecchio has also hosted the passage of spiritual paths and routes crossing the Abruzzo Apennines, integrating the dimension of pilgrimage with the artistic spirit of the festival.

A village that lives by art all year round

Fontecchio is not just a summer setting: it is a village that has made creativity its vocation, attracting artists, sculptors, and artisans with workshops, educational labs, and the traditional crafting of Abruzzese pupazze. Paese in Arti captures this identity and shares it with visitors every summer, offering a different and more intimate way to experience the Abruzzo mountains, far from the most crowded destinations.