Ai Tiempi ro Barone: in Irpinia the ancient glories of the Baron murdered to oppose the Ius Primae Noctis are revived

Art, entertainment, history and legend come together on the occasion of “Ai Tiempi ro Barone – Zamagna Dies”, an event in which the doors of the splendid Baronial Palace of Prata Principato Ultra reopen, reliving the ancient glories of the times of Baron Zamagna. Known in the news for having witnessed the assassination of its owner in its rooms, the Baronial Palace that belonged to the Zamagna family, originally from Croatian Dubrovnik, a prominent figure of the Prato aristocracy to whom the event is symbolically linked, shines again on 21, 22 and 23 June. And it does so in grand style, through the sixth edition of the event promoted by the Municipality of Prata Principato Ultra and financed by the Campania Region as part of the Regional Program of events for the promotion of tourism and the cultural valorization of the territories, with the artistic direction of Roberto D'Agnese and with the support of the many years of experience of the Panta Rei association. From 21 to 23 June the historic centre will be the protagonist, together with the tradition and the food and wine excellences of the territory, with the central figure of Baron Savino Zamagna, whose figure echoes inside the Baronial Palace together with the story of his tragic end. It was in this very Palace, in fact, that the baron met his death, on a night when – as was his custom – he wanted to exercise the Ius primae noctis, the infamous right of the feudal lord to sleep with the wife of one of his subjects on the first night. Zamagna was killed by Gianlorenzo la Monica to defend his young daughter-in-law from the archaic feudal custom, disguising herself as a bride and waiting for the baron in the nuptial bed and treacherously stabbing him. And it is precisely in the rooms of the Palace that scenes from the aristocratic life of the time will be reenacted, thanks to performances by the La Fermata theatre company, as well as the tragic moment of the Baron's murder. “Ai Tiempi ro Barone – Zamagna Dies” will begin on Friday 21 June at 20.30 pm with a concert by Beta Folk 2.0, followed by an extraordinary performance by Mujura and Voci del Sud directed by Eugenio Bennato. In the hall of the Palazzo, 800th-century dance and 600th-century Playford dances by the Il Contrapasso association and the La Fermata theatre company. On Saturday, June 22nd, starting at 16 pm, guided tours led by Marcello Freda (reservations required, please call 3317607384) of the Baronial Palace and the Early Christian Catacombs of the Annunziata. At 20,30pm, a concert by Mulieres Garganiche and, at 22pm, the Salento music of Officina Zoè will take centre stage. In the hall of the Palazzo, 800th-century dance and 600th-century Playford dances by the Il Contrapasso association, Noisy Sax and the La Fermata theatre company. On Sunday, June 23, at 12 noon, guided tours led by Marcello Freda (reservations required, please call 3317607384) of the Baronial Palace, the Basilica, and the Early Christian Catacombs of the Annunciation; at 1 p.m., a historical walk through the ancient village of Prata; and at 1:30 p.m., the Baron's Lunch at the Palace (reservations required, please call 3343171913), an ethnogastronomic feast of local flavors, in the company of Baron Zamagna and his court. At 16 pm, guided tours by Marcello Freda (reservations required at 3317607384) to the Baronial Palace and the Paleochristian Catacombs of the Annunziata; at 17 pm, meeting “The role of women in popular beliefs” by Michele Miscia. At 21 pm DiDea music, Egyptian trumpets, hang show and, in the hall of the Palace, 800th century dance and 600th century Playford dances by the Il Contrapasso association and the La Fermata theatre company. “We have reached the new edition of what we can define as a real celebration for Prata Principato Ultra and beyond,” says Luigi Tenneriello, president of the Panta Rei association. It will be an edition full of innovations, which will see the involvement of new spaces and a great artistic cast. An event that, despite its young age, is growing exponentially, as we can also see from the great demand from artisans and exhibitors to become part of this event, made possible thanks to the collaboration between the Municipal Administration and the Panta Rei Association and, of course, thanks to the Campania Region that has chosen to believe in our project. The event not only wants to enhance the territory by promoting Prata with its historical and architectural beauties, its gastronomy and history, but it also wants to transfer a social value so that women's rights are respected as much as those of men. The event is in fact inspired by the "Ius primae noctis" which, postponed to the present day, is used as a starting point to draw attention to the condition of women in today's society, on the injustices and discrimination that unfortunately exist and are no longer tolerable.
"It's crucial to revive our region's cultural sites," says artistic director Roberto D'Agnese, "which often, even during events, are overlooked. Our historical heritage shouldn't be represented by static, silent spaces, but by environments permeated by culture. And that's what we want to do with the Prata Principato Ultra event: bring culture to a cultural site, reviving it by exploring its history and origins through performances, serving as an example for many other realities. We've also focused on the artistic cast, using theater, period dance, and Egyptian trumpets as the backdrop for the event, and have signed an important collaboration with Eugenio Bennato, one of the leading exponents of folk music. We'll bring a distinguished cast to Prata, from the finest examples of Salento with Officina Zoè to the Campania tradition, in a mix of talented and renowned groups that will breathe life into these cultural sites."