The Italian South

Today is Ferragosto in Italy, or the peak of summer folk festivals. Almost every town or village arranges its own “festa” or “sagra”. The difference between them lies in the fact that in the first case the highlight of the program is a costume show, and in the second one – tasting of local specialties. Newsstands sell a special guide on these holidays, which is called “Borgi and sagre”.

I love the Italian Middle Ages and so I seek to visit as many folk festivals as possible. Although, each year it is getting harder and harder. The fact is that I have visited almost all the festivals, which are available without car. Last Friday, my friends and I took part in a very picturesque festival “Notte nell’Ilex” in a charming medieval town Elice (Province of Pescara). The tiny borough is situated in the middle of nowhere and moreover the festivity…