In Conflenti, in the heart of the Calabrian hinterland, the «Incontri d’Otre» returns, the winter edition of «Felici & Conflenti». Here, on the side of Mount Reventino, thanks to the commitment and skills of many young people, a real community celebration has taken place for years which is now a point of reference throughout the South for the rediscovery of popular traditions and for the valorisation of immense dance and musical heritage, not only of the Reventino-Savuto area but also of the entire Southern Italy.
Today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow Conflenti returns to come alive with traditional dances, popular songs, but also with seminars, workshops and, naturally, convivial moments at the table, where dishes and foods from almost forgotten traditions are rediscovered in a real work of research and recovery. The goodness and success of the “Felici & Conflenti” initiatives, among other things, continue to be confirmed year after year on those even more pragmatic aspects and, perhaps, inherent to those new types of tourism of which Calabria – and its public bodies, in particular – it’s about time they noticed.
To participate in the dance and traditional instrument workshops, for example, this time too people come to Conflenti from all over Italy and the initiative has in fact already generated an important impact in the area with the various accommodation facilities already sold-out since weeks. An important event, therefore, not only in cultural terms but which also generates concrete and economic feedback on one of the most typical “internal areas” of Calabria which, as we know, struggle more than others to sustain themselves and keep up with urban centres, even during holiday periods.
«Our project is not limited to the conservation of ancient traditions – explained Christian Ferlaino, scientific coordinator of Felici & Conflenti – but aims to observe them in their being living instruments in a dynamic relationship with the present. In recent years we have managed to involve new generations of musicians, increasingly rekindling interest in traditional instruments such as the bagpipe.” «We are very proud to see that the winter edition is also growing year after year – comment Alessio Bressi and Antonella Stranges, founders of FeC –. The events we organize are much more than simple festivals, but real community rituals that intertwine music, history and hospitality, bringing the importance of meeting and sharing back to the centre.”
Among the most anticipated moments, the Strine of San Mango d’Aquino and San Mazzeo, played by traditional musicians from the communities of origin. Then, instrument and dance workshops: from the accordion to the bagpipe, from traditional singing to popular dances, participants will be able to come into direct contact with knowledge handed down from generation to generation. These are, not surprisingly, the most fascinating aspects of the initiative: the direct exchange between generations, the meeting between popular skills and scientific research, all in the name of cultural enrichment and fun.
Many names of the artists invited, among the many Bifolk, Dino Dell’Unto, Roberto Mariani, Marco Ciolfi, Domenico Fusco, Diego Fusco, Vincenzo Lucarelli, Danilo Zovini; the Sounds of Cilento with Gianluca Zammarelli, Catello Gargiulo, Gerardo Nicoletta, Oreste Forestieri; the Sounds of Sirino with Domenico Bevilacqua, Gianluca Cecere, Angelo Tuzia, Emanuel Labanca, Gabriele Labanca, Gianluca Labanca and many others. Also scheduled is a meeting on the theme: “The strina – sounds and words”, curated by Armando Orlando, a scholar from San Mango, who will guide the public to discover the soundscape of the Reventino.
New to this edition is the collaboration with the chefs who will enrich the festive evenings with flavour, offering their special dish which will be added to the rich social menu proposed by the festival.
The complete program on the official website www.felicieconflenti.it