Sarconi IGP Bean Festival

The bean that made a village great

Some products alone tell a story of a territory. For Sarconi, a small municipality in Val d'Agri in the province of Potenza, that product is the Sarconi IGP Bean: a legume with tender skin, a delicate flavor, and particularly digestible, cultivated along the banks of the Agri River and protected by the European Protected Geographical Indication trademark. For over forty years, the Sarconi IGP Bean Festival has revolved around this excellence, making it one of the most historic and well-attended gastronomic events in Basilicata.

A grand culinary journey

For two days, usually in mid-August, the historic center and Piazza Municipio transform into a large gastronomic route: stands and kitchens offer the bean in all its variations, from appetizers to desserts, accompanied by other typical products from Val d'Agri. Alongside the food, there are craft markets, folklore moments, and a growing focus on sustainability, with recent editions becoming completely plastic free.

Show cooking and major concerts

Over the years, the festival has elevated its offerings, combining peasant tradition with nationally recognized names. The evenings feature starred chefs in show cooking sessions reinventing the bean in a gourmet style, television presenters as testimonials, and concerts by leading Italian artists, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to Sarconi from across the region and beyond.

A community celebration

Behind the event is the work of the Pro Loco of Sarconi, which has been preserving and promoting this tradition for decades, and the support of the Municipality of Sarconi. The festival is not just a food and wine showcase; it's a moment for the village to present itself, promote its producers, and welcome those who come to discover a Lucanian excellence recognized among the quality festivals nationwide.