Aiello Calabro joins 'Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages': folk dance

Aiello Calabro joins the "Most Beautiful Villages of Italy": tarantella returns to the square

Aiello Calabro celebrated its inclusion among Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages with a focus on popular culture: the town square came alive thanks to Amor di Taranta, an association from Amantea dedicated to promoting the Calabrian tarantella in the Reggio style.

The group delivered public performances and hands-on workshops designed to convert spectators into active participants, encouraging dance as a living cultural practice.

• Group members: Cinzia Vescio, Mariolina Pugliano, Licia Costanzo, Antonella Garritano, Domenico Perri and Giuseppe Pagnotta.
• Activities: square performances, educational workshops for children and youth, appearances in local communities.
• Goal: promote the tarantella as an identity-bearing tradition and a tool for social cohesion.

The association grew from a group of enthusiasts who organized formally to safeguard and spread folk dance as both cultural heritage and a social practice. By staging participatory events in public spaces, they aim to reconnect younger generations with traditions once central to community life.

The dance was highlighted as a moment of shared joy and community building: bringing people back into the square helps strengthen local memory and social ties.

Looking ahead: Amor di Taranta announced an events program for summer 2026, with performances planned across Calabrian villages and historic centers to continue promoting tradition and active participation.

Visitor tip: check local event listings in Aiello Calabro to attend performances and workshops—an immediate way to experience the cultural roots of the area.