Saint John Bosco Festival
The Salesian festival in Oria, blending legality, memory, and civic commitment
About Saint John Bosco Festival
The Saint John Bosco Festival in Oria
In the heart of the Salento region of Puglia, in Oria (Province of Brindisi), the Saint John Bosco Festival is much more than a religious anniversary: it is a civic appointment that every year, at the end of January, fills the San Barsanofio Church Theatre with witnesses, students, and families. Organized by the S.I.N.G. Oratory (inspired by Salesian values) since 1998, the event has made memory and legality its hallmark, transforming devotion to the saint of youth into a journey of education and civic engagement.
The "Donato Carbone" National Award
The heart of the festival is the "Donato Carbone" National Award, established in 2002 in memory of a young man from Oria killed during a robbery. The award is presented to individuals and associations that distinguish themselves in education, anti-mafia commitment, the moral and physical protection of children and teenagers, and the promotion of peace. Alongside it, the "Melania Russo" Educator Award is presented, as well as honors dedicated to the excellence of the Apulian territory, in a tapestry of stories that speak of courage, redemption, and community.
A festival that educates
The event does not end with the gala evening: it includes the Inaugural Holy Mass with the blessing of the ancient statue of the saint, morning meetings with students from local high schools as part of legality projects, and the thanksgiving mass that concludes the appointments. Over the years, prominent figures of the Italian anti-mafia movement, journalists, athletes, and musicians have taken the stage, confirming how a small city in Puglia can transform its oratory festival into an event of national significance.
Oria, the City of the Imperials
Dominated by its majestic Swabian castle and rich in history, Oria provides the ideal setting for a festival that combines spirituality and active citizenship. Participating in the Saint John Bosco Festival means discovering a vibrant community capable of holding together Salesian tradition, a culture of legality, and attention to the youngest, in one of the most fascinating villages in Salento.
Saint John Bosco Festival — edition 2026
The 29th edition of the Saint John Bosco Festival, organized by the S.I.N.G. Oratory of Oria (which celebrated its 35th anniversary), focused on the theme of legality and childhood. After the inauguration with the blessing of the ancient restored statue of the saint, the event reached its highlight on Friday, January 30, 2026, with an evening of testimonies and awards at the San Barsanofio Church Theatre, preceded in the morning by a meeting with students from local high schools.
Programme Saint John Bosco Festival 2026
Sunday, January 25, 2026 — Inauguration
- 10:30 AM — San Francesco d'Assisi Parish: Holy Mass presided over by Father Giuseppe Leporale and blessing of the ancient restored statue of Saint John Bosco
Friday, January 30, 2026 — Main Day
- 10:30 AM — Meeting with students from Oria high schools, "School flies on the wings of legality" project (with Hon. Ismaele La Vardera)
- 6:30 PM — San Barsanofio Church Theatre: evening of testimonies and awards on the theme of "legality and childhood"
Sunday, February 1, 2026 — Thanksgiving
- 10:45 AM — San Barsanofio Church: Thanksgiving Mass presided over by Father Francesco Sternativo
Awards presented
- "Donato Carbone" National Award: Hon. Ismaele La Vardera (former journalist for Le Iene, under police escort), the Mendico family, and in memory of Brigadier Carlo Legrottaglie
- "Melania Russo" Educator Award: "Cuore e mani aperte – OdV" Association
- "ArtSport&Territory: Apulian Excellence!" Award: Ferdinando "Fefè" De Giorgi (National Volleyball Coach), Piero and Mirko Iunco, urban artist RCK / Luigi Calò
Highlights Saint John Bosco Festival 2026
The presentation of the "Donato Carbone" National Award to Hon. Ismaele La Vardera and the testimony dedicated to Brigadier Carlo Legrottaglie; the sports excellence award to Ferdinando "Fefè" De Giorgi; the Salento comedy duo Ciciri e Tria.
Prices Saint John Bosco Festival 2026
Practical information — Saint John Bosco Festival
Where
San Barsanofio Church Theatre and San Francesco d'Assisi Parish, Oria (BR), Puglia.
When
Late January, coinciding with the liturgical memorial of Saint John Bosco (January 31). Events are spread between the last Sunday of January and the first days of February.
Admission
The events are free to attend. For information and the updated program, it is recommended to contact the S.I.N.G. Oratory of Oria.
How to reach us
Oria can be reached by car via the SS7 (Appia road) and is just a few kilometers from Francavilla Fontana and Manduria; the train station is served by the Taranto–Brindisi line.
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Where does it take place — Saint John Bosco Festival
Teatro della Chiesa di San Barsanofio