To mark the traditional San Giorgio Fair in Corigliano d’Otranto, on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April (from 10.00 to 22.00), with a preview on Friday 24 (at 18.00), Castello Volante is hosting the first edition of Fiera MadreTerra (free entry | info and programme at ilcastellovolante.it – 3519137972). The market, dedicated to sustainable agri-food production and biodiversity, will be complemented by workshops, guided tours, tastings, music, social gatherings, wellbeing activities and exhibitions. A veritable agri-food gathering where the public and producers can meet and discuss a more mindful relationship with the land, whilst respecting natural cycles.
The market
The roots of the San Giorgio Fair date back to the 16th century, making it one of the most iconic events in Grecìa Salentina, capable of uniting history, culture and the promotion of the local area. In keeping with this tradition, the Castello Volante will bring stories, flavours and visions within its walls, transforming itself into a space for discovery and sharing with exemplary local businesses. From honey to tomatoes, from pasta made from ancient Apulian grains to Ionian goat’s cheese, the products will not merely be on display but will be brought to life through the experiences of those who grow and process them. On Saturday from 4 pm to 10 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 10 pm, the State Rooms will host stands by Mieleria di Melendugno, Formaggi Cava Verde, Salsa di Pomodoro di Morciano, Primoljo, Azienda Agricola Piccapane, Casin’Anand – Tenuta Oasi Verde, Cantine Menhir and the workshops of Matrice Vegetale, Azzurra Cecchini and Animamundi.
The preview
On Friday 24 April (6.00 pm – free entry), in the Sala delle Vasche at Castello Volante, the preview of the Fiera MadreTerra will host the presentation of the Gricoteca, an audiovisual archive of the Grica language curated by the Municipal Library, and the first volume of “I òrnisa ce o sciddho”, a manual designed specifically for learning the Grica language spoken in Corigliano d’Otranto. The event will provide an opportunity to reflect on the present and future of a language rooted in the land, memory and everyday knowledge, which remains alive today thanks to books, digital archives and artistic works. Through regional funding for the protection of minority languages, the Council has created a digital platform that collects and makes available audiovisual material, which can also be accessed via a touchscreen terminal located in the Castle museum.
Saturday 25 April
From 4.00 pm to 10.00 pm, the market will be open in the Noble Halls. However, from 10.00 am onwards, the information point will be running ‘The Courtyard of Ancient Games’ and ‘St George’s Tower of Books’. At 4.00 pm in the Sala Cavallerizza, the percussion and dance workshop with the Collettivo Tambór, organised by Elena Nel Mondo, will begin; it will conclude at 6.30 pm in thefoyer with a South American-style performance blending samba, cumbia and hints of tammurriata. At 17:00, don’t miss the guided tour ‘From the San Giorgio Tower to its Fair’. Meanwhile, Nuvole Bistrot will be hosting a special lunch from 12.00, featuring produce from the market’s participating businesses, and from 18.00, the narrated tasting event ‘Storie da gustare’ (Stories to Savour), organised by Cantine Menhir.
Sunday 26 April
From 10.00 to 22.00, the market will reopen in the Noble Halls. The day’s programme also includes ‘The Courtyard of Ancient Games’ (from 10.00 to 18.00), the workshop ‘The Syntropic Garden’ organised by Misticanza in collaboration with Rosa del Deserto (from 10.00 to 18.00), a yoga session with Ada Turco (10.30), brunch at Nuvole with a DJ set by Club Mediterraneo (from 12.00), the ‘Storie di fiera’ talks organised by Rêverie Associazione Psicoanalitica Leccese APS and ‘Storie da gustare’ (from 4.00 pm), the ‘Fumi Sacri’ workshop by Simone Dimitri for Matrice Vegetale (from 5.00 pm), and the book launch of *Dal giardino – Riconciliarsi con il selvatico* by Cosimo Terlizzi (6.00 pm). At 7.00 pm, a concert by L’Autre Chahut, a women’s choir from the South of France conducted by Annoïe-Anne Roy.
The exhibitions
Over the two days, visitors will also be able to view the exhibitions “Le mani sanno – Artigianato, luoghi, memorie” (Hands Know – Craft, Places, Memories) featuring photographs by Antonio Coccioli and Eleonora Perla; “Storie d’acqua” (Stories of Water) with illustrations by Fabiana Renzo; “Qui erbacce” (Weeds Here) with photographs and stories by Marco Ricchiuto; “Giardino dei segni Atelier” by the artist Azzurra Cecchini, as well as “Pietre che parlano” by Adriano Nicoletti and the podcast “Korìana – Stories and Voices of the Castle” by Mariangela Ciriello.
The San Giorgio Fair
Markets, tastings, workshops, music and areas dedicated to tradition: on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April (info and programme at comune.corigliano.le.it), the historic centre of Corigliano d’Otranto will be transformed into a vast space for socialising and participation. Saturday will begin with guided tours of local farms and continue in the afternoon with the craft market. From 9.00 pm in Piazza Vittoria, the first evening will conclude with a cabaret performance by the Malfattori and a concert by Zinharua. Sunday will be the day packed with the most events: the town will host the self-produced goods market, the seed exchange, environmental workshops and educational activities. The fair’s most iconic events will not be missing, such as the equestrian parade of horse-drawn carriages, community games in the squares and events linked to Grika culture, featuring workshops, folk music and the distribution of the traditional ‘punghedda’. The San Giorgio Fair is organised by the Municipality of Corigliano d’Otranto in collaboration with numerous organisations and with financial support from the Puglia Region – Department of Agriculture, Rural and Environmental Development, under the Public Notice for the award of grants to support festivals, fairs, celebrations and events.
PROGRAMME
Preview
Friday 24 April
6.00 pm – Presentation of “Gricoteca”
An audiovisual archive of the Grika language
Organised by the Corigliano d’Otranto Municipal Library
(Sala delle Vasche)
Saturday 25 April
From 10.00 to 18.00
The Courtyard of Ancient Games
organised by Info Point Corigliano d’Otranto
10.30
The San Giorgio Tower of Books
organised by Info Point Corigliano d’Otranto and Magma
information and bookings: +39 351 9137972
From 12.00 (Nuvole Bistrot)
Madreterra Menu
A special menu featuring produce from the farms exhibiting at the Madreterra Fair
organised by Nuvole Officina del Gusto
From 4.00 pm to 10.00 pm (Sale nobili)
Madreterra Fair
Market showcasing sustainable agri-food products and biodiversity
4.00 pm (Sala Cavallerizza)
Percussion and dance workshop
Tambór Collective
organised by Elena Nel Mondo
info and bookings: 338 1095323
5.00 pm
Guided tour
From the Torrione di San Giorgio to its Fair
organised by Info Point Corigliano d’Otranto
info and bookings: +39 351 9137972
6.00 pm (Nuvole Bistrot)
Stories to savour
Narrated wine tasting organised by Cantine Menhir
6.30 pm
Percussion and dance performance
Tambór Collective (Atrium)
Sunday 26 April
From 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
The Ancient Games Courtyard
organised by Info Point Corigliano d’Otranto
From 10.00 to 18.00
The Syntropic Garden
Workshop on creating a garden of essences
organised by the Misticanza Association, in collaboration with Rosa del Deserto (Fronte Sud, Agrumeto del Castello)
From 10.00 am to 10.00 pm – Madreterra Fair
Market for sustainable agri-food products and biodiversity (Stately Halls)
From 12:00 (Nuvole Bistrot)
Madreterra Menu
A special menu based on produce from the farms present at the Madreterra Fair
organised by Nuvole Officina del Gusto
10:30
Yoga at the Castle
organised by Ada Turco
info and bookings: +39 351 9137972
12.00 – Sunday at the Castle
DJ set by Club Mediterranea
Brunch organised by Nuvole Bistrot
From 4.00 pm – Stories from the Fair
organised by Rêverie Associazione Psicoanalitica Leccese APS (Atrium)
From 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Stories to savour
Tales of Mother Earth
5.00 pm – (Torre San Giovanni)
Vegetative Matrix
Sacred Smokes workshop
organised by Simone Dimitri (duration: 1 hour)
6.00 pm – Book launch
“From the Garden – Reconciliation with the Wild”
by Cosimo Terlizzi
Presented by Giacomo Cavalera (SeminAzioni APS) (Mezzanine)
7.00 pm (Terrazza Nuvole)
L'Autre Chahut
Women’s choir from the South of France – Songs from around the world
Conducted by Annoïe-Anne Roy
EXHIBITIONS
Hands Know – Craftsmanship, Places, Memories
photographs by Antonio Coccioli and Eleonora Perla (Medieval Hall)
Gricoteca
Audiovisual archive of the Grika language
curated by the Municipal Library (Hall of the Tanks)
Stories of Water
Illustrations by Fabiana Renzo (San Giovanni Tower)
Here, Weeds
Wild Orchids and Sensory Experiences
photographs and stories by Marco Ricchiuto (Noble Halls, Great Hall with the niche)
Garden of Signs Atelier
by Azzurra Cecchini (Noble Halls, room with fireplace)
Stones that Speak
Photographs by Adriano Nicoletti
Korìana – Stories and Voices of the Castle
a podcast by Mariangela Ciriello
