Serata Antica International Folklore Festival

A bridge between continents in the heart of the Alburni

The Serata Antica International Folklore Festival is the summer event that changes the face of Petina every year, a village of just under a thousand inhabitants perched at 649 meters above sea level in the Alburni Mountains, in the province of Salerno, Campania. For one night, the stone alleys of the village fill with costumes, drums, accordions, and dances from far-off lands, in an event that the organizers describe as "a bridge between cultures, a hymn to brotherhood and peace through folk traditions."

Over fifty years of history

The festival was born in the early seventies at the initiative of the "A' Spiga Rossa" Folkloric Association, founded in Petina in 1970 to recover and pass on the collective memory of a land of shepherds, farmers, and charcoal burners. The group, which today includes about sixty musicians, dancers, singers, and volunteers of all ages and has also launched a youth section for children aged 3 to 14, has brought the village's name to Italy and abroad. "Serata Antica" is the most precious jewel of this journey: over the course of its editions, it has hosted more than three hundred national and international groups from all five continents.

How the day unfolds

The event's format is a well-established ritual, traditionally held in the heart of August, around the eve of Ferragosto. The afternoon begins with a parade of folkloric groups along the village streets, a colorful procession that winds through the historic center before an enthusiastic audience. This is followed by the International Holy Mass, a moment of encounter between foreign delegations and the local community. In the evening, the scene shifts to Piazza Bottiglieri, where the main show takes place: each group presents its repertoire of traditional music, dances, songs, and costumes, with the local hosts closing the festival. During the evening, the "Spiga Rossa" Award is also presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves in promoting folkloric heritage.

The 2025 edition: six groups, five guest countries

The 53rd edition took place on August 14, 2025, and featured six groups: Mexico, Armenia, Martinique, Panama, Brazil, and Italy, represented by the hosts, "A' Spiga Rossa." The parade started at 5:30 PM, while the evening show in Piazza Bottiglieri began at 8:30 PM. The "Spiga Rossa" Award was presented to Gerardo Bonifati, president of the Italian Federation of Popular Traditions.

Petina, City of Folklore 2026

The bond between the village and folk traditions received official consecration on June 6, 2026, when the Italian Federation of Popular Traditions proclaimed Petina "City of Folklore 2026", following an evaluation based on historical, cultural, and ethno-anthropological criteria. The recognition, celebrated with an extraordinary open-air town council meeting, a commemorative mosaic, and the presence of historic folk groups from all over Italy, rewards more than fifty years of the association's work and adds special value to the summer appointment with "Serata Antica."

The village and its surroundings

Petina is one of the most characteristic villages of the Alburni, overlooking the Vallo di Diano and just a stone's throw from the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. The municipal territory houses the rock hermitage of Sant'Onofrio, the monastic complex of the Holy Spirit carved into the rock, karst caves of paleontological interest, and an astronomical observatory at 1,169 meters. The village's signature product is the wild strawberry, the star of the "Wild Strawberry and Alburni Flavors Festival" in June: those arriving in August for the folklore festival will also find mountain gastronomy consisting of cheeses, cured meats, mushrooms, and traditional peasant dishes.

What to expect from the 2026 edition

At the time of writing, the association has not yet released the official calendar or the list of guest groups for the next edition. As it is a historic and continuous event, it is traditionally held in mid-August: it is advisable to check the date and program on the "A' Spiga Rossa" Association's social media channels and local Cilento news outlets before traveling.