Vasto in Folk International Folklore Festival

Vasto in Folk: International Folklore in Piazza Rossetti

The Vasto in Folk International Folklore Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the Vasto summer. Each year, in the scenic Piazza Gabriele Rossetti in the historic center of Vasto (Chieti province, Abruzzo), the festival brings together choirs and folk groups from Italy and abroad for two evenings of folk songs, traditional dances, and period costumes. Admission is free, and the square fills up every evening with a large and enthusiastic audience.

A festival born in 2007

The festival is conceived and organized by the Gruppo Folk Città del Vasto - I Cantori del Golfo, a choral group founded in November 2004 and presided over by Franco Carlucci. The first edition of the festival was held in July 2007, on the occasion of the release of the group's first album. Since then, the event has grown to become a benchmark for choral folklore in Central Italy, attracting guest performers from various regions and other European countries.

The repertoire: memory, roots, and emigration

The heart of the festival is Abruzzese folk singing. A large part of the pieces performed by the Cantori del Golfo is linked to the work of maestro Nicolamaria Stivaletta, a composer whose works tell the story of the mountains, the land, and above all, the phenomenon of emigration, a central theme in the history of Abruzzo. The evenings are usually hosted by a presenter who provides context for the songs, sharing anecdotes, stories, and curiosities related to popular tradition.

Guest groups from Italy and Europe

Each edition brings together choirs and traditional dance groups. Recent editions have featured performers from Abruzzo, Molise, Tuscany, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, alongside international groups such as the Ukrainian vocal ensemble Cervona Kalyna. The festival thus takes on an authentically international dimension, offering the public a chance to experience different European folk cultures.

Vasto, a city of folklore and music

The event is part of the rich summer calendar of the Municipality of Vasto, one of the liveliest towns on the Trabocchi Coast. The festival is sponsored by the Regional Council of Abruzzo and the Municipality of Vasto, with the support of the Amici della Musica Association. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience the Vasto historic center in a festive setting, surrounded by songs, dances, and the flavors of Abruzzo.