Culture and tradictions

In Salento there are specific ethnic and linguistic enclaves. Exist also an area called : “Grecia Salentina“ where people speak a dialect known as greek grecanico or Griko Salentino, which draws thousands of years, presumably arising from migration. Of the Greek community in Salento .It has been recognized as distinct ethnic group and as a minority. It is also very interesting the phenomenon of anthropological tarantismo an hysterical dance form of extraordinary scenic impact .

Another important element of this land is the “pizzica” dance the traditional music that is played with the tamburello “ Small drum” , which once upon the time was used to cure the so called “ tarantate” , those women who believed had been bitten by a spider truly it was nothing more than a manifestation of their repressed hysteria. The pinches pinches traditional dance in pairs.

The couple dancing that “pizzica” doesn’t need to be composed of individuals of opposite sexes is common to find two women dancing together, or two men who can dance in the traditional “pizzica scherma “ (also called "sword dance", dancing to the feast of San Rocco 16 August in Torrepaduli), where the pizzica become exibitionn of the man as a "warrior."

By the vortices of the “pizzica “ born the manifestation of the Notte della Taranta (every August) held in the towns of Greecia Salentina every August. It is a festival of folk music of Salento, where the traditional pizzica dance meets others traditional musics. It starts with a tour to the villages of Greecia and concludes with the big final concert in Melpignano.

The Tables of St. Joseph (18/19 March) are some traditional dinner tables offered in some villages of Salento, from the rich people of the town to the poor people in honor of St. Joseph. They are made with a variety of dishes ranging from lampascioni to "rape", from "vermiceddhri" (a kind of pasta with cabbage) to fried fish, from the pittule Zeppola, bread shaped like a big donut with fennel and oranges

The Focara in Novoli (16-18 January) is the typical bonfire of the patronal feast of St. Anthony .A monument of agricultural engineering consists of tens of thousands of bundles of vines, exceeding the height and diameter of twenty meters. The “focara” is a big fire , starting with a big quantity of fireworks on the evening of 16 January. In the Days of Fire, is it possible to see festivals and competitions of fireworks and admire the art exhibitions of the great religious lights.

Torneo dei Rioni di Oria (second week of August) is an event in costume, a medieval setting, which takes place in two days: Saturday is held on the historic parade through the streets and Sunday competitions are played between the districts of the city, for the award of the Palio.

Feast Sant'Oronzo in Lecce. The Celebration of Saint Oronzo, and Saint Giusto and Saint Fortunato , and is celebrated on 24/25/26 August, with a solemn procession through the city. During those days there are numerous band concerts, fireworks and illuminations, famous throughout the world, they shine at night in Lecce.

These are just some of the many festivities and traditions that exist in Salento In every village you can find events of celebration, folklore and traditions that make your stay pleasant and a memorable stay in this land.