San Giorgio Lucano Carnival and Pentolaccia

Four Centuries of Pentolaccia

In San Giorgio Lucano, Carnival has an absolute protagonist: the Pentolaccia. It is an ancient game, which according to local tradition has been played in the village for over four hundred years. Originally, the pentolaccia was filled with fruit and vegetables and broken to celebrate a good harvest; today, the pentolacce are handmade from papier-mâché and contain sweets, small gifts, good luck messages, and surprises that represent good fortune for those who manage to break them.

A Village-Wide Celebration

Carnival day begins with the parade of masks through the streets of the historic center, an explosion of color and joy that involves young and old alike. The most anticipated moment, however, remains when, in Piazza della Libertà, the Pentolaccia is played: first for children, the "Pentolaccia Baby", then for adults, the "Pentolaccia Senior". The great Carnival bonfire and lots of music close the festival.

The Sagra delle Cocue

Gastronomic tradition invariably accompanies the San Giorgio Carnival with the Sagra delle Cocue, an event dedicated to the typical flavors of the region that concludes the evening in the square. It is an opportunity to discover local cuisine and to share, in a true spirit of community, the dishes of Lucanian peasant tradition.

An Arbëresh Village

San Giorgio Lucano, in the Province of Matera, preserves roots linked to Arbëresh culture and a strong sense of community that is fully expressed in its popular festivals. The organization of the Carnival and the Pentolaccia is managed by the local Pro Loco (Tourist Board), which keeps one of the village's most recognizable traditions alive each year.