Close your eyes… and make a wish!
Music, dance, food, street theatre, readings in the dark and an astronomical observatory to experience ‘The Night of Wishes’ together, on Sunday 10 August (from 9.30 pm – free entry), the summer event taking place in the streets, courtyards and castle of Corigliano d’Otranto, to celebrate St Lawrence in one of Italy’s most beautiful villages.
To desire literally means ‘to feel the absence of the stars’, a human condition that has to do with the perception of an absence and, consequently, with a sense of passionate longing.
In the village of Corigliano d’Otranto, on the night when the sky opens up and wishes resurface, the streets are transformed into dreams.
“The Night of Wishes” is a unique opportunity to experience the magic of shooting stars, with your heart in the clouds and your nose turned skywards, to gaze up at the heavens and let a sense of wonder wash over you.
The first event takes place at sunset with the ‘afternoon’ tours organised by the castle’s Info Point (at 7 pm and 8.30 pm, information and bookings on +39 351 913 7972), to discover the history of the site and its secrets. The tour concludes at sunset with a toast on the terraces of Nuvole Bistrot, to celebrate the beauty of taking the time to appreciate history and art.
The tour of the castle will also provide an opportunity to visit ‘Journeys through the Lands of Remorse – Images of Tarantism’, an exhibition which, through photographs, published documents and contemporary reinterpretations, traces the journey of Ernesto de Martino’s ethno-anthropological research alongside the stories of the women and men who lived through it.
On the terraces of Castello Volante, visitors will be able to enjoy the culinary offerings, sample local wines or sip a cocktail by candlelight at Nuvole Bistrot, and explore the stars thanks to the Astronomical Observatory of the Salento Amateur Astronomers’ Group, whilst on the stage in the moat, the Balletto del Sud’s dance performance ‘From Italy, with love’ will come to life – a ‘postcard’ of Italian musical culture, choreographed by Fredy Franzutti.
In the village, the Street Theatre, curated by Stefano Guarini Grimaldi, will bring a sense of wonder through fire shows, juggling, aerial and sound performances, psychomagic and mysterious encounters in the courtyards.
During the evening, the little ones can take part in ‘Readings in the Dark’ amongst the courtyards of Corigliano d’Otranto, featuring nursery rhymes, verses, sparkling stories and silent books brimming with stars. A poetic journey made up of glimmers of light, but also lullabies, whispered words and wishes, conceived and led by the Magma and Bium-bò association – a widespread NpL initiative.
For lovers of fine food and wine, the event offers a space in the beautiful Piazza San Nicola dedicated to tastings – an initiative organised as part of the ‘La Cultura del cibo’ project by the Corigliano d’Otranto Traders’ Association, which has entrusted the background music to Max Nocco, a multi-talented artist who has long been active on the Salento underground scene and a tireless collector of vinyl records. And after midnight, you’re invited to put on your Quiet Zone headphones and dance the night away beneath the shooting stars, amidst the soft lighting and in the silence of the village.
“The Night of Wishes” is one of the events organised as part of Borgo Volante, a project by the Corigliano d’Otranto Municipal Council, carried out in collaboration with Big Sur and Castello Volante, and supported by the Ministry of Culture – Fund for Development and Cohesion.
INFO:
For information about the event and to book a place on the reading tour of the courtyards, please call or send a WhatsApp message to: 351 9137972
Table bookings for dinner on the terraces at Nuvole Bistrot: 334 342 9268
Programme
• 7.00 pm and 8.30 pm > Castello Volante
: In the Footsteps of Astrea – A special tour of the castle at sunset
: Stories, symbols and wishes beneath the sky of San Lorenzo
, organised by InfoPoint Castello Volante
• 9.30 pm > Fossato Castello Volante
Dance performance
‘From Italy, with love’ – a glimpse into Italian
musical culture by the Balletto del Sud, choreographed by Fredy Franzutti
• from 9.00 pm > Castello Volante
Terrace: Dinner under the stars, organised by Nuvole Bistrot
Astronomical Observatory, organised by the Salento Amateur Astronomers’ Group
• from 10.00 pm > Castello Volante
Terrace: Harp
concert with Eleonora Carbone
• from 9.30 pm > Corigliano d’Otranto
Castle and Village – Street Theatre, curated by Stefano Guarino Grimaldi (Fuori Fase Aps)
Readings in the dark amongst the courtyards, organised by Magma aps and Bium-bò – a widespread NpL initiative
Wine and cheese tastings organised by the Corigliano d’Otranto Traders’ Association – Food Culture – Preview 2026
Ambient sound installations curated by Max Nocco
Sound journeys curated by Max Nocco with Queit Zone
