The Night of the Bonfires

The fire ritual in the Alta Irpinia village

The Night of the Bonfires is the event that every year, on the third weekend of January, transforms Nusco—an ancient village in Alta Irpinia, in the Municipality of the same name in the province of Avellino, Campania—into a great folk tale made of fire, music, and conviviality. It is not just a simple winter festival: it is a community ritual that, for three days, brings back to life gestures, sounds, and flavors passed down through generations along the stone alleys of the historic center.

The town, located at an altitude of 878 meters and nicknamed "the balcony of Irpinia" for its panoramic position, is literally warmed by the bonfires: piles of wood lit in squares, open spaces, and in front of churches, around which residents and visitors gather. The crackling of the fire and the scent of wood create an atmosphere that has become the hallmark of the event.

The origins: the plague of 1656 and Saint Anthony the Abbot

The tradition of the Nusco bonfires dates back to the mid-17th century. In 1656, the plague struck the town hard, causing—according to local memory—about 1,200 victims. To combat the contagion, the inhabitants lit huge fires in the squares, on churchyards, and in every street: the fire was both a tool for material purification and an invocation of divine protection.

Over time, that emergency gesture became an annual ritual and was linked to the feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot, the hermit saint depicted with a piglet and a tau staff, protector of domestic animals and traditionally invoked against "Saint Anthony's fire." The bonfires, once a sign of fear, have transformed into a symbol of health, well-being, and abundance for the coming year. In the Irpinian peasant culture, the January 17th recurrence also marks the opening of the Carnival period: hence the strong bond of the festival with traditional masks and music.

Sacred and profane: "Sant'Antuonu, Mashcaru e Suonu"

The dialect phrase that gives the title to recent editions—Sant'Antuonu, Mashcaru e Suonu, meaning Saint Anthony, masks, and sound—well summarizes the soul of the festival, balanced between devotion and profane joy. Around the bonfires, folk music groups, masked beggars, itinerant dances, tammorre, and accordions alternate; tarantella and pizzica accompany the evenings, while artistic performances move from square to square following the audience.

The three-day structure: Leuna, Fuocu, Vrasa

The organization, managed by the Pro Loco Nusco with the Municipality of Nusco, has given the event a symbolic structure in three thematic days that follow the cycle of fire itself:

• Leuna (the wood) — Friday: preparation, memory, and cultural roots, with guided tours and the lighting of the first braziers;
• Fuocu (the fire) — Saturday: the main night, with large bonfires lit throughout the village, folk shows, and local promotion;
• Vrasa (the embers) — Sunday: the most intimate and communal moment, when the fire becomes embers and around it, people cook, taste, and spend time together.

The table: Irpinian cuisine around the embers

Gastronomy is an integral part of the ritual, because the embers of the bonfires are also the fire on which one cooks. Along the path of the stands, you can find the staples of the Alta Irpinia tradition:

• legume and cereal soups, cooked slowly and served piping hot;
• meats grilled directly on the bonfire embers;
• artisanal cheeses and local pork charcuterie;
• roasted chestnuts and traditional sweets like calzoncelli filled with chestnuts;
• Irpinian wines, in a territory that includes Taurasi, Fiano di Avellino, and Greco di Tufo.

In recent years, the organizers have also provided vegan options at the stands to make the offering accessible to everyone.

A village to discover

The event is also an opportunity to visit Nusco out of season: the village preserves the Cathedral of Saint Amato, medieval alleys, and viewpoints that open onto the valley. During the three days, free guided tours of the historic center are organized in the morning and afternoon.

An event grown beyond local borders

From a village appointment, the Night of the Bonfires has become one of the most identifying winter events of inland Campania, supported by the Region as part of the promotion of experiential tourism linked to folk traditions, food and wine, and heritage. The influx of visitors from Avellino, Naples, and the Salerno area has made a shuttle service and equipped parking areas at the foot of the historic center necessary.