Words and Flavors of Irpinia

A meeting of words and table in the heart of Irpinia

Words and Flavors of Irpinia is an event that follows a simple, deeply local formula: discuss food, health, and the land around a book, then sit down to taste exactly what was just discussed. The event takes place in Castelvetere sul Calore, a small town in the province of Avellino, Campania, and is promoted by the Pro Loco Castelvetere sul Calore in collaboration with the provincial cultural and tourism association Resto in Irpinia.

The common thread is the Mediterranean Diet, viewed not merely as a dietary regimen but as a heritage of health, culture, and tradition—a theme that finds immediate resonance in the home kitchens, vegetable gardens, and products of the small villages in the Campanian hinterland.

The Carnival Museum, the event's venue

The day unfolds within the Carnival Museum, located in the town's historic center. Established by the municipality, the museum preserves the memory of the Castelvetere Carnival, featuring a papier-mâché workshop and a section dedicated to historical photographs of past editions. Hosting a food-focused event here is no coincidence: the museum is where the town safeguards its folk traditions, and its cuisine is just as integral as its masks and floats.

Maccaronara, the star of the tasting

The highlight is the maccaronara tasting, one of the iconic dishes of Irpinian gastronomy, prepared according to ancient local recipes. This is a purely handmade pasta, crafted from water and flour, kneaded to the perfect consistency, and cut into thick, spaghetti-like strands, dressed according to methods passed down through generations.

• Hand-rolled pasta, egg-free, following traditional local techniques
• Dressings rooted in Irpinian peasant cuisine, handed down through families
• Preparation curated by the local Pro Loco volunteers
• Tasting by reservation, in a convivial and informal setting

Maccaronara is, after all, the gastronomic emblem of Castelvetere sul Calore: the Pro Loco even hosts a popular festival dedicated to it in the summer, and featuring it at the center of a day of conversation and tasting strengthens the bond between storytelling and the product itself.

Who organizes it and why

The initiative is driven by two local associations. The Pro Loco Castelvetere sul Calore, based in Piazza del Municipio at the Carnival Museum, has long been responsible for the village's cultural life, guided museum tours, and maccaronara-related events. Resto in Irpinia is a provincial association founded to promote Irpinia and foster its cultural, tourist, economic, and social development through various educational and promotional initiatives.

Together, these two associations have created a replicable format for small towns: a morning book presentation, a local tasting at noon, and an audience discovering or rediscovering a village in the hinterland.

Castelvetere sul Calore, a village in the Irpinian hinterland

Castelvetere sul Calore sits at an altitude of about 750 meters and has just over 1,500 inhabitants. Its name derives from the Calore Irpino river, which flows nearby and defines the identity of the entire valley. It is a land of woods, vineyards, and small historic centers, where local associations play a decisive role in keeping cultural life vibrant.

For those visiting Irpinia, a day like Words and Flavors of Irpinia is a direct way to connect with the community: not a massive, spectacular event, but a town-scale occasion where the public is welcomed by locals and conversation continues naturally over a plate of homemade pasta.

Who is it for?

• Enthusiasts of food culture and the Mediterranean diet
• Readers interested in book presentations in unique settings
• Travelers seeking authentic experiences in the villages of inland Campania
• Families and residents of the Calore Valley towns