Notte della Taranta Music Festival Begins in Salento

| Tue, 08/05/2014 - 04:29

La Notte della Taranta, one of Europe’s most important folk music festivals, begins today in the Salento area of Apulia, continuing until August 23.

Now in its 17th edition, the traveling event takes place in various towns in the province of Lecce and the Grecìa Salentina, culminating in the final concert held in Melpignano, attended by an average of 120,000 spectators.

The festival celebrates the folk music tradition of Taranta, a dance characterized by a fast upbeat tempo, and Pizzica, part of the larger family of the Tarantella, danced while embracing a partner. 

For more information, check the festival's website

Watch these videos from last year's festival: