Vallata del Folklore – Stuffed Fritter Festival

The festival of the Monopoli countryside

The Vallata del Folklore is one of the most beloved local festivals in the Monopoli area, in the province of Bari, in the heart of Puglia. It takes place in Contrada Ciporrelli, one of the roughly one hundred districts that dot the Monopoli countryside, amidst dry-stone walls, olive groves, and vineyards that give the landscape its unique colors. For over fifteen years, the Amici di Ciporrelli association has enlivened these late summer evenings, transforming a corner of the countryside into a great meeting point for locals and visitors alike.

The Stuffed Fritter Festival

The gastronomic heart of the event is the Stuffed Fritter Festival, dedicated to a simple and delicious specialty: a golden fritter, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, stuffed with typical ingredients ranging from savory to sweet. Among the most requested versions are those with zucchina alla poverella, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella, but there is no shortage of sweet fillings with hazelnuts and artisanal jams, as well as the classic plain fritter. Accompanying the food stalls are Apulian wines, beer, and other peasant cuisine specialties, prepared according to recipes handed down by grandmothers, following a zero-kilometer philosophy.

Folk music and folklore

The soundtrack of the festival is the folk music of the South: pizzica, tammurriata, and quadrille that invite dancing until late at night. The stage features groups linked to the Salento and Apulian tradition: regular performers include I Cipurrid, a folk music group born right in Ciporrelli, joined over the years by well-known names on the folk scene such as Terraross and Après La Classe. Between concerts, there is also room for cultural moments, readings of poems in the Monopoli dialect, and book presentations.

An event for everyone

The Vallata del Folklore is a free festival suitable for families, with spaces for children, craft workshops, and the genuine hospitality of the Apulian countryside. Those arriving in Monopoli in summer will find an authentic experience here, far from the most crowded tourist circuits: good food, live music, and the warmth of a community that proudly preserves its traditions.