Reggiano Apennines Festival

A Choral Festival Born in 1969

The Reggiano Apennines Festival is one of the oldest and most established choral events in Emilia-Romagna. Founded in 1969 in Toano, a town in the Apennines in the province of Reggio Emilia, the festival was conceived to "revive the tradition of mountain folk singing." From its very first edition, it was a great success, with the renowned Monte Cusna choir from Reggio Emilia taking the prize. Over the decades, the event has attracted around a hundred choirs representing diverse ethnomusicological traditions, establishing itself as "a significant showcase of the valid expressions of Italian and foreign folk singing."

Mountain Choral Singing Takes Centre Stage

The heart of the festival is a cappella choral singing with folk and alpine inspiration: polyphonic harmonies, mountain tradition melodies, and folk repertoires that resonate within the ancient churches of the village. The performances involve the local choirs of Toano — such as Le Maestà, the Matildico Val Dolo, and Vocilassù — alongside guest ensembles from all over Italy, fostering a dialogue between different musical cultures that has always characterized the festival.

Among Toano's Churches and Squares

The event takes place in some of the most evocative locations in the town. The voices of the choirs rise in the Pieve di Santa Maria in Castello, an ancient Romanesque building that is a symbol of Toano, and in the Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta, while the village comes alive with the band and welcoming moments in the squares. The main day traditionally includes the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a reception at the Town Hall, a sung Holy Mass, and in the afternoon, choral performances, all in a festive atmosphere that blends music, spirituality, and community.

A Heritage of the Emilian Apennines

More than half a century of history makes the Reggiano Apennines Festival an authentic bastion of choral culture and the folk traditions of the Emilian Apennines. Organized by the Municipal Administration of Toano together with the Pro Loco, local choirs, and the pastoral unit, the event attracts choral music enthusiasts, hikers, and curious visitors who take the opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Reggiano mountains, amidst woods, villages, and typical flavours.

Why Participate

• One of Italy's oldest choral festivals, active since 1969
• Mountain folk and choral singing in historic locations like the Pieve di Santa Maria in Castello
• Italian and foreign choirs in a comparison of ethnomusicological traditions
• An opportunity to visit the Reggiano Apennines and its traditions
• Free admission and a popular festive atmosphere