Vëllazëria – Brotherhood Festival

Vëllazëria, the festival of Arbëreshë brotherhood

Vëllazëria – Brotherhood Festival is the premier event dedicated to the Arbëreshë communities of Italy, descendants of the Albanian-speaking populations who sought refuge on the Italian peninsula between the 15th and 16th centuries, following the national hero Giorgio Castriota Skanderbeg. The festival takes place in Casalvecchio di Puglia, a small village in the Dauni Mountains in the province of Foggia, one of the ancient settlements that still preserves a strong historical, cultural, and linguistic identity today.

Two days of music, dance, and shared roots

For an entire summer weekend, the squares of the historic center are filled with sounds, colors, and traditional costumes. Over one hundred artists, including dancers, musicians, and singers, enliven the town alongside Arbëreshë folk groups arriving in the Daunia region from Sicily, Calabria, Molise, Puglia, and other Italian regions, joined by delegations from Albania. The program alternates between singing and dance workshops, traditional costume processions (the famous vallje), art workshops, conferences on linguistic minorities, and convivial gatherings.

An experience of hospitality and conviviality

The hallmark of Vëllazëria is its hospitality: guests are welcomed into residents' homes and local facilities, sharing meals and daily life according to the tradition of gjitonia, the Arbëreshë concept of solidarity among neighbors. The collective dinners in the square, the typical products of the Daunia region, and the evening songs make the festival an authentic community experience, rather than just a simple lineup of performances.

A bridge between Puglia and the Balkans

Supported by the Puglia Region and organized by the Municipality of Casalvecchio di Puglia in collaboration with local associations, the event has become a true cultural bridge between Puglia and Albania over the years. It successfully attracts Italian and Albanian authorities and promotes the preservation of historical linguistic minorities. Vëllazëria, which means brotherhood in the Arbëreshë language, celebrates an ancient bond spanning over five centuries, kept alive by the language, rituals, and memory of a people.