Pasquetta d'autore

A different kind of Easter Monday, between music and olive trees

Pasquetta d'autore has become a beloved local tradition for Easter Monday in Corigliano d'Otranto, one of the picturesque villages of Grecìa Salentina, in the province of Lecce. Every year, on Easter Monday, Art&Lab Lu Mbroia opens its doors, inviting guests to spend a day surrounded by olive trees, enjoying good company, delicious food, and Salento folk music. It is the signature event that inaugurates the new season for the association, led by the singer-songwriter Massimo Donno.

How the day unfolds

The formula is simple and well-loved. Starting at noon, guests gather for a countryside lunch in the open air: a perfect way to spend Easter Monday away from the crowds, immersed in the olive groves and the crisp spring air. The kitchen serves traditional local dishes, including sandwiches, focaccias, seasonal vegetables, pasta, main courses, desserts, and fresh fruit. Please note that outside food and drinks are not permitted, as the experience is centered around the hospitality of the association.

In the early afternoon, the space transforms into an intimate stage for a folk music concert, the heart of the event. The performers are some of the most respected interpreters of the Salento tradition, offering a repertoire of pizzica, love songs, and dance tunes that span the regions of Capo di Leuca and Arneo. The atmosphere is informal and engaging, true to the spirit of Lu Mbroia, where the audience is invited to participate in the celebration rather than just watch it.

Lu Mbroia and Massimo Donno

Art&Lab Lu Mbroia is an artistic and cultural laboratory founded in Corigliano d'Otranto by singer-songwriter Massimo Donno, which has become a landmark for folk and singer-songwriter music in Salento over the years. Concerts, presentations, meetings, and artistic residencies fill its calendar, which continues from Easter Monday throughout the spring and summer with other events, such as those on April 25th and May 1st.

Corigliano d'Otranto and Grecìa Salentina

The Municipality of Corigliano d'Otranto is part of Grecìa Salentina, an area in lower Salento where the Griko language of Hellenic origin has been preserved. The village is famous for its monumental Castello De' Monti, dating back to the Aragonese era, and for a historic center rich in Baroque stuccoes. Spending Easter Monday here means combining music with the discovery of one of the most characteristic towns in southern Puglia.

Why attend

• An outdoor Easter Monday among the olive trees of Salento.
• Live folk music featuring top-tier traditional performers.
• Typical local cuisine and an informal atmosphere, perfect for families.
• A modest contribution for entry and no reservations required.