Appointment in Roseto Valfortore with the Fires of Saint Anthony

Roseto Valfortore is preparing to experience one of the most anticipated and iconic nights of the year. On Saturday, January 17th, starting at 5:30 pm, the fireworks of Sant'Antonio Abate return, an event deeply rooted in history and popular devotion, capable of combining spirituality, peasant tradition, and collective celebration.

As per tradition, the village will be illuminated by artistic bonfires, true works of art made with wood, bundles of wood, and natural materials, crafted with passion and mastery by the community. Not simple fires, but symbolic installations that tell stories, values, and identities, transforming the squares and alleys of the historic center into an evocative and meaningful setting.

Around the heat of the fire, theatrical performances in the Rosetano vernacular will come to life, moments of memory and popular irony that bring back to the stage the life of the past, the customs and stories passed down from generation to generation, preserving a cultural heritage that is still alive and well-participated.

The evening will be accompanied musically by ‘FolkArt – Le Vie del Folk’ who will provide the soundtrack to the event with traditional folk songs, sounds and rhythms. Their music will guide the audience through bonfires and performances, creating a common thread capable of amplifying the sense of community and celebration that has always characterized the fires of Sant'Antonio Abate.

The gastronomic tradition will also be a great protagonist, with the aromas and flavours that have always accompanied this anniversary: cooked bread, soffritto, greasy bread, sausage sandwich, hanged caciocavallo, all accompanied by the inevitable local wine and mulled wine, a symbol of conviviality and welcome.

Making this year's edition even more special will be the presence of Lele Blade, one of the most beloved rappers on the Italian urban scene. Highly followed by young people and able to speak to the new generations with an authentic and contemporary language, Lele Blade will bring a large audience to Roseto Valfortore, performing on the evening of the fireworks in Largo Mercato and helping to make the village of Monti Dauni known beyond its territorial borders.

Satisfaction and pride in the words of Mayor Lucilla Parisi, who declared:
“The Fires of Sant'Antonio Abate represent the most authentic soul of Roseto Valfortore. It is a festival that is born of the people and for the people, capable of uniting different generations and attracting visitors. With artistic bonfires, vernacular theatre and a musical offering that combines tradition and contemporaneity, we demonstrate that our roots can become a great opportunity for cultural and tourist valorisation”.