Logo Parco Regionale Gallipoli Cognato e Piccole Dolomiti Lucane

Parco Regionale Gallipoli Cognato
e Piccole Dolomiti Lucane


Events


The European Day of Parks 2005
The European Day of Parks
  • Monday 23rd May
    Walk in the Park, Day Dedicated to Parks
    In collaboration with Sovrintendenza ai Beni Culturali ed Ambientali of Basilicata.

  • Saturday 28th May
    At School in the Park
    In collaboration with Istituto Agrario of Garaguso.

  • From 26th to 29th May
    Participation to Parklife
    In collaboration with G.A.L. “Le Macine” of Accettura

"Maggi" Celebrations
Festa de I Maggi The so-called "Maggi" celebrations - a unique expression in Italy, used by the mountain communities in the area of the Parco di Gallipoli Cognato e delle Piccole Dolomiti Lucane - are particularly important. During these celebrations, the very deep link between the population and the surrounding environment characterized by mountains and thick woods is highlighted and expressed. "Maggi" are Arboreal Worships celebrated in Accettura, Oliveto Lucano, Pietrapertosa and Castelmezzano. They have in common the representation of the union between a high-trunk tree, a Turkey oak (Maggio), representing the male, and a "Cima", the queen of the wood, which is usually a holly. The two trees are cut in the woods and transported to town during a particularly charming rite: hundreds of persons take park in the rite accompanied by the sound of bagpipes, pipes, and drums.
The "Maggio" is hauled by several couples of oxen. During the journey there is a stop to give the "Maggio" and the "maggiaiuoli" the opportunity to rest: in this moment, songs and dances accompany once again the stop.
Finally, in the town the meeting between the "Maggio" and the "Cima" takes place. The day after, the wedding between the "Maggio" - the trunk - and the "Cima" - the foliage - begins.
The rite consists of the preparation of the groom - the "Maggio" - and of the bride - the "Cima" on Whitsunday. When the two parts gets united by graft, the wedding is done and the party begins with the characteristic music and dances.
The tree obtained by the grafting gets hoisted in the square. Covered with gifts, it is ready for the final climb carried out by young people showing off their physical strength and ability. The "Maggio" will remain in the square until Corpus Christi Day.


Feasts
Manifestazione

Oliveto Lucano

  • 10th, 11th and 12th August
    San Cipriano Patronal Feast with the rite of the "Maggio"

Accettatura

  • 13th December
    S. Lucia Fair: fair of goods and cattle during the first days of October, November, December, and January.

  • Goods Market: on the 1st and 16th day of every month.

  • 27th January
    San Giuliano Feast
    The procession with the statue of the Saint is preceded by confraternities and banner.

  • 25th March
    Madonna dell'Annunziata Feast
    With procession of the Madonna statue preceded by confraternities.

  • 5th May
    Madonna di Ermoli Feast, also called Madonna dei Fiori.
    The statue of the Madonna, placed on a chair and decorated with country flowers, is led in a procession by the population to the chapel in location Ermoli (Gallipoli Cognato).

  • "Maggio" Feast
    Dedicated to S. Giuliano di Sora, the town patron. Very ancient and propitiatory wedding rite deriving from ancient arboreal worships. The celebration takes place in two parts: on the Ascension day and on Whitsunday.

  • 16th August
    S. Rocco Feast "S. Rocco Popolare".
    With procession of the big statue preceded by the so-called "cente".

  • 29th September
    "S. Rocco di Spagna" Feast.

Calciano

  • Masks parade with transport of the Carnival puppet on the float, followed by his wife "Quaremma"; trial to Carnival and final bonfire with songs and dances

  • 19th-20th March
    S. Giuseppe Bonfire, with beans and pork rind festival.

  • "Agosto insieme a Calciano": evenings in the open air with songs and dances. Various festivals, painting and photographic exhibits.

  • 7th and 8th September
    Feast in honor of Madonna della Serra, with procession and votive offer of the so-called "cente".

Castelmezzano

  • 13th December
    "Cuccia" Festival, during Santa Lucia feast.

  • 5th May
    • Madonna del Bosco Feast, with procession of the statue from the town to the chapel, in location San Lorenzo
    • "Quagliata" festival and exhibit of the country craftsmanship.

  • 15th June
    San Vito Feast.

  • 19th August
    San Rocco Patronal Feast, with pilgrimage on foot during the night of 15th August towards Tolve.

  • 13th September
    S. Antonio Feast, with climbing of the "Masc", the greasy pole.

Pietrapertosa

  • 10th May
    San Cataldo Feast.

  • 16th June
    "Maggio" celebration: it takes place during Sant'Antonio feast, with procession of the big statue preceded by the so-called "cente".

  • 25th July
    San Giacomo Patronal Feast.

  • 29th September
    "S. Rocco di Spagna" Feast.