Each year, Cosenza’s local and unique festivals draw inquisitive crowds from around Calabria in southern Italy. Have you been?
If you didn’t catch last week’s part one of the festivals in Cosenza, then head on over to Fabulous Festivals: Cosenza, Calabria for a little taste of intriguing festival photos and information.
Typically, Italy hosts a profusion of festivals (Sagre) during the summer months and I’m sure this has to be a release from the long winter months. A rebirth. A chance to venture out after the deepened, dark, and damp winter. A time to unshackle the gloomy chains and be free of the confines of one’s walls. An escape. A tad dramatic? I know, but hailing from Australia and living in sub-tropical QLD, I do suffer in the cold. You?
I’m sure other European countries also hold summer festivals…but in Calabria, it doesn’t just have to be summer as there’s always a festival on in the region somewhere. But, what makes Festivals in Calabria special?
Festivals, more festivals
Scrumptious food-tasting festivals offering hot roasted chestnuts, sublime chocolate, potato harvesting, bread, and of course many wine festivals, most of which I’ve attended at one point or another while in the northern hemisphere. But, that’s not all, as Calabria like the rest of Italy is proud of its artistic heritage and also its artists, this means staging beguiling art festivals. And get this, the majority of festivals are free to enter and typically backdropped against ancient cobbled laneways in medieval old towns or quaint villages. Weave your way around every stoned corner to discover something new in the world of art, or traditional and authentic food – a feast for your eyes and stomach.
Calabria holds so many festivals that I’ve lost count of the number I’ve been to so far and need to check my photos to remember everything, which is the reason for this second post. I love sharing my photos of southern Italy so that you become aware of the natural beauty of this stunning region between the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas. The humbling and warm southern hospitality, incredible history, and amazing culinary delights will lure you to Calabria again. So, onto a few more festivals…
Le Strade del Paesaggio
Initiated in 2007, Le Strade del Paesaggio states: “a series of events within a single great event make the Festival a macro cosmos made up of entire microcosms” – profound?
Well, if you’re a fan of comics, then this street festival will delight you even more as Cosenza’s streets come alive with street art of comic characters.
The popularity of this festival has grown from 16,600 in 2015 to over 27,000 in 2017 and also hosts live painting, art exhibitions, fabulous murals, fun activities for children, and just about something for everyone.
Cose Belle Festival
Aptly named the Cose Belle (Beautiful Things) Festival, this festival of creativity, design, and illustration features exhibits from local Italian artists that are made by hand.
Started in Calabria in 2017, the Cose Belle Festival celebrates the creativity, illustration, and design of local artists to exhibit their original creations.
The exhibition’s motto is “I create and I am Happy. What about you?”
Christmas festivals
Of course, festivals during Christmas are many and Cosenza hosts an abundance of spectacular free events for locals and regional Calabrese to enjoy. From fire jugglers to street stilt walkers, music, art, street fairs, spectacular light shows…
…lanterns, pretty street light dressings, and so much more draws a crowd from around Calabria into the city.
A couple of just-because festivals…
With an apartment only a few-minute stroll from Cosenza’s pedestrian strip Corso Mazzini, typically where all the action happens, it’s not uncommon to bump into a festival that you know absolutely nothing about.
Not quite a festival but definitely bursting a festival ambiance, this competition for the longest cake ever swamped with chefs and students from Cosenza’s local cooking school was a delight to bump into…especially, as the free cake was handed out afterward.
From memory, think this cake was around 30-metres long of deliciousness. Made at the school in sections and gingerly transported piece by piece…
…before re-assembling onto these long tables and then the artistic finishing touches added at the Corso, on this chilly October evening.
There is always something to celebrate in Calabria…
Where is Cosenza?
Snuggled between the gorgeous Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas of the Mediterranean, Cosenza is one of the larger cities gracing Calabria.
The rugged region of Calabria is graced with 500 miles of coastline, which is a delight to explore.
Getting there
From Lamezia Terme Airport, it’s only an hour’s drive or bus trip north to central Cosenza. If you don’t fancy driving or catching a bus all the way, then a short 5-minute bus trip from the airport to the Lamezia train station is an alternative travel route to Cosenza.
Internal flights from Rome or other Italian cities to Lamezia are frequent. There’s also a fast train from Rome to Paola that takes just over 3 hours, before taking a connecting 20-minute train ride to Cosenza train station.
Visit Nilla’s Photography for more global images. More posts on Italy.
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