Rappasciona Fest

A soup as ancient as the festival

The Rappasciona Fest is the festival that in Viggianello, a village in the Pollino National Park in the province of Potenza, celebrates a dish from peasant memory: the rappasciona, an ancient soup prepared with white beans, corn, and wheat, flavored with zafarano pisat, the dried and pounded pepper typical of the Lucanian tradition. Considered one of the oldest vegan soups, it was prepared for the New Year as a ritual for good luck and prosperity.

New Year's Eve in Pollino

The event takes place at the beginning of January in Piazza San Francesco di Paola, in the Gallizzi area, and is fully part of the Lucanian New Year's Eve events. From the evening, the village comes alive with tastings of the steaming and fragrant rappasciona, accompanied by folk music, dancing, and markets of artisan products that fill the streets of the center.

Tradition, taste, and conviviality

The Rappasciona Fest is an experience that combines history, flavors, and conviviality: the symbolic dish of the festival tells the story of the Pollino's humble cuisine and the community's deep connection with the land. The evening usually ends with a concert, which transforms the square into a large popular festival.

Experiencing Pollino in winter

Participating in the Rappasciona Fest means discovering Viggianello and Pollino in the cold season, amidst Christmas atmospheres, authentic traditions, and the warm welcome of a Lucanian village. Organized with the Pro Loco and the Municipality of Viggianello, it is one of the most cherished events of the winter in Basilicata.