Fasano Baroque Festival

Every year the Town of Fasano concludes a month long festival with huge fanfare and a grand re-enactment of a major historical event.

On June 2, 1678 the townspeople rose up against Turkish pirate raiders. An epic battle took place, and the town successfully reclaimed their peace and prosperity.

A distant, compelling drumbeat heralds the beginning of the evening with a parade, just as the sun begins to set. Closer and closer the drums march forward, the drums beat insistently louder, and now flag throwers appear. Women and men in graceful Baroque period costumes sweep along the shining stone streets. A rolled banner is escorted by officials, and the key to the city, one presumes, is displayed on an ornate pillow carried by a young woman.

The short parade ends in the town centre square. A brief speech, bracketed by triumphant trumpets, is read and the banner is unfurled. The drums rejoice! The flags are thrown higher and higher! You don't need to understand Italian to know a great victory had just been recounted.

It's a fantastic atmosphere, all ages are well represented and everyone is relaxed and happy. Despite the costumery, there's no undue formality. Friends and family interact with the participants, much smiling and laughter. Children are darting about, toddlers held high on shoulders, and dressed up seniors are all enjoying the events. Everything is so clean, and first aid attendants dressed in red are on patrol.

The re-enactment begins with a dance. There is narration that might make more sense of the story, but we just enjoy the graceful moves of the performerz. And marvel at their skill, dancing on smooth polished stone that is undeniably on a slant!

A very, very long intermission ensues. I would love to see the battle re-enactment, but it's all very drawn out and we want to see the town, too. It's bubbling busy, the drummers are marching and winding their way through town, and bursts of music come through the narrow medieval alleys.

We see traditional country dancers replaced by a modern day DJ in a tiny square, and parents dance with tiny, stylishly well dressed preschoolers. Kids are so well behaved! Everyone is, no garbage thrown about, no yelling, just an absolute good time.

For me, the very best part of this festival is the timelessness. The events are centuries in the past, but feel so near. The dusk, the costumes, the drums....taken all together, the feeling of having moved back through time is very real, and a tiny leap of imagination is all it takes to be there.

We are winding down faster than the evening is though, and take our leave. Time for a cup of tea and rest.Read more