Sant'Eufemia in the World

An embrace between the Majella and the world

Sant'Eufemia in the World is the festival that, every summer, brings home the emigrants of Sant'Eufemia a Maiella, a mountain village in the province of Pescara, nestled at 878 meters above sea level on the western slopes of the Majella massif, in the heart of the Majella National Park. Like many villages in inland Abruzzo, Sant'Eufemia experienced intense emigration during the 20th century towards Europe, the Americas, and Australia: from this shared memory, an event was born to celebrate the unbreakable ties between the village and its distant children.

The Piazza dell'Emigrante

The symbolic heart of the festival is the Piazza dell'Emigrante, where a giant map of the world painted on the ground—spanning over 600 square meters—has appeared over the years, plastically representing the local diaspora. This is the stage for the official ceremony, the Hymn to the Emigrant, concerts, and award presentations: every year, returning emigrants, new immigrants welcomed into the village, and individuals linked to Sant'Eufemia who have distinguished themselves through their initiatives worldwide are honored.

Bike & Beer and Walk & Beer

A distinctive feature of the event is the sunset food and wine excursions, offered in the dual format of Bike & Beer (by mountain bike) and Walk & Beer (on foot). Along the scenic trails connecting Sant'Eufemia to the villages of Roccacaramanico and San Giacomo, participants encounter various gastronomic stops dedicated to the countries of emigration: beer and pecorino for Belgium, sausages and beer for Germany, beer and omelets for France, and sagne e ceci for Italy. A delicious and convivial way to traverse the routes of Abruzzese emigration in a single evening.

Culture, memory, and community

Alongside the convivial moments, Sant'Eufemia in the World gives ample space to cultural dimensions: photo exhibitions on migration themes, meetings with scholars, and book presentations on local history and dialect. The theme of each edition is dedicated to a different continent, a historical destination for the migration flows of the last century, to piece together the great history of the Abruzzese people in the world.

In the heart of the Majella National Park

The setting is the upper Orta Valley, in a territory of great naturalistic value that includes the Lama Bianca reserve. Participating in Sant'Eufemia in the World means discovering one of the most authentic villages of the Abruzzo mountains, amidst pastoral traditions, hospitality, and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Apennines.