Rassegna degli Zampognari d'Italia

San Polo Matese, capital of the bagpipe

In the heart of the Molise Matese, in the province of Campobasso, the village of San Polo Matese is one of the main Italian centres for the zampogna (bagpipe), along with Scapoli and Castelnuovo al Volturno. From this mountain village, the Matese bagpipers set off every year, in costume, for their Christmas tours throughout Italy. It is natural, therefore, that the Rassegna degli Zampognari d'Italia, a national festival dedicated to the ancient reed instrument, is celebrated right here.

A gathering of players from all over Italy

In August — usually between the 10th and the 18th of the month — the festival attracts musicians and bagpipe players from different regions of Italy to the small Molise town. The village streets fill with the characteristic sound of the reeds, amidst concerts, itinerant performances, and moments of meeting between enthusiasts and instrument makers. The event, now in its twentieth edition, is promoted by the Zampognari del Matese.

A living sound heritage

More than just a music festival, the event is a celebration of an intangible cultural heritage deeply rooted in the territory. The zampogna in San Polo Matese is not museum folklore, but a living tradition, passed down from generation to generation and capable of uniting the community around its identity. A precious event for those who want to get to know the musical soul of inland Molise up close.