Vëllazëria – Brotherhood Festival

Vëllazëria 2025: the eighth edition

The eighth edition of Vëllazëria was held in Casalvecchio di Puglia on July 26 and 27, 2025, confirming its status as the largest Arbëreshë gathering on the peninsula. Saturday, July 26, was dedicated to welcoming guests, Arbëreshë singing workshops, and traditional Albanian dance workshops, with the official inauguration at 5:30 PM in Piazza Padre Pio in the presence of Italian and Albanian authorities, followed by a collective dinner in the square and a concert by Ansambli Amantia and Pasticcio Meticcio.

Sunday, July 27, featured exhibitions, art workshops, and new musical workshops, along with the presentation of the book Origini – I canti arbëreshë by Filomena Fratta. In the evening, the Night of Vëllazëria, filled with choirs, dances, and a performance by Alexis Arts, featured special guest Raphael Gualazzi alongside Cosimo Damiano Damato. The event, supported by the Puglia Region, reaffirmed Casalvecchio di Puglia's role as a cultural bridge between the Daunia region and Albania.