Uncinettine Festival

A village united by crochet

In the heart of the upper Vasto region, in Celenza sul Trigno—a village of just over seven hundred inhabitants in the province of Chieti—a brand-new but already beloved tradition has emerged: the Uncinettine Festival. The protagonists are a group of over twenty local volunteers who, gathered in a space provided by the Municipality, dedicate countless hours to the art of crochet, crafting panels, decorations, and textile pieces that are then displayed along the village streets.

What is the Uncinettine Festival?

The festival is, first and foremost, a moment of conviviality. It is the occasion when the 'uncinettine' (crochet makers) share the works created throughout the year with the entire community, opening the doors of their workshop and sharing the patient labor behind every creation. It is not a spectacular or commercial event, but an authentic village feast where thread becomes a tool for social connection and collective identity.

During the 2025 edition, Father Jean Pierre blessed a crochet panel dedicated to Saint Nicholas, crafted by the volunteers: a gesture that bridges the gap between craftsmanship and the religious and communal spirit so deeply rooted in small Abruzzo towns.

An activity that thrives all year round

The crochet makers of Celenza sul Trigno don't stop in the summer. Their work accompanies village life in every season: during the Christmas period, the village is filled with crochet decorations, including stylized nativity scenes and themed ornaments that make the historic center unique. The group also participates in broader regional initiatives, such as the traveling Crochet Flower Festival (Infiorata) that involves various municipalities across Abruzzo, Molise, and the Marche.

A female and communal heritage

This festival is a testament to how a craft tradition can be born and take root even in modern times, becoming a cohesive element for an entire village. In Celenza sul Trigno, crochet is not just a hobby: it is a shared language, a way to pass down ancient gestures and strengthen bonds between people. The Uncinettine Festival celebrates exactly this: the beauty of work done together and the pride of a small Abruzzo town that knows how to value its own skilled hands.