Saltarello Festival

The Saltarello Festival in Giulianova

The Saltarello Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the Abruzzo summer, dedicated to celebrating the region's traditional music and dance. The festival takes place in the scenic setting of the Giulianova Tourist Port, on Lungomare Spalato in the coastal town of Teramo, transforming the harbor area into a grand stage overlooking the Adriatic Sea.

A Cultural Tourism Project

Conceived and organized by the Interamnia World Music Association and artistically directed by Danilo Di Paolonicola, the festival was created as a cultural tourism project to promote and enhance Abruzzo's folk heritage. The saltarello, along with the tarantella, is the iconic dance of the central Apennine communities: featuring driving rhythms, the organetto (diatonic accordion), tambourines, and voices that tell the story of a still-vibrant tradition. The event is part of the broader Abbey Festival and is held in collaboration with the Municipality of Giulianova, with the support of the Gran Sasso d'Italia Chamber of Commerce, the GAL Terreverdi Teramane, and the "G. Braga" Conservatory of Teramo.

Folk Music and International Guests

At the heart of the festival is the Saltarello Folk Orchestra, an ensemble that brings together local musicians and singers to revive traditional repertoires. Around this core, each edition blends local heritage with major international world music, hosting prominent names from the Mediterranean and Balkan scenes. The program also includes masterclasses in traditional music, dance workshops, and sessions dedicated to the various forms of saltarello and tarantella, open to students, enthusiasts, and musicians alike.

An Evening by the Sea

The festival day is divided between study and training sessions in the afternoon at the Palazzo Kursaal and the grand evening concert at the port, which is free to the public. Attendees can enjoy a journey from the roots of folk tradition to contemporary influences, in a celebration that honors the identity of Abruzzo and its openness to the Mediterranean. Giulianova, with its promenade and historic center overlooking the Teramo coast, provides the ideal backdrop for an event that has become a benchmark for lovers of roots music.