The Wild West lives again in Irpinia: Torella dei Lombardi becomes a western village for three days in the name of Sergio Leone

The past and the present merge in a unique atmosphere that, for three days, pervades the entire country of Guardia Lombardi. "Ancient Flavors – From the Wild West to Irpinia” is theevent, one of a kind, which transforms the historic center of the town in the heart of Alta Irpinia in a real western village, to honor its most illustrious fellow citizen: the great Sergio Leone. Also this year “Sapori Antichi – From the wild west to Irpinia” is confirmed as one of the most anticipated events in Irpinia. From 28th to 30th June the splendid village, with the suggestive Candriano Castle, will become a large open-air set, strictly western themed, recalling the legendary figure of the world-famous filmmaker who conquered Hollywood from Irpinia. The 25th edition of the event is promoted by Municipality of Torella dei Lombardi and financed by the Campania region within the Regional program of events for the promotion of tourism and the cultural valorization of the territories, with the artistic direction by Roberto D'Agnesefor Omast Events, which will also make use of the many years of experience of the Pro loco Candriano to ensure the success of the event.

La Western contamination is ready to invade every detail of the event - shows, installations, settings, scenography, music, games, up to the rich and varied Irpinia food and wine itinerary - immersed in the sounds and colors of Irpinia folklore in an unforgettable western version. Saloon, prigioni, sheriff's office, ranch, grandiose scenic facades such as that of the bank, the fort and other particular and typical environments of the western worldThe event will take place in two locations: the Sergio Leone Square and Western Village set up for the occasion. Friday 28 June It will start at 20pm with the opening of the stands with wine tastings and typical products (from the caciocavallo impiccato to the pizzilli sausages and beans, with dishes from Irpinia and dishes from the wild west) at the Castle atrium. At 21 pm parade of the folk group of Torella dei Lombardi e western show edited by the students of the class 5 of the comprehensive institute "Criscuoli". Following the concert of Vascio people, a traditional folk music band from Southern Italy, and, at the Villaggio Western, the concert of The Third Class, a Neapolitan band that exports folk and bluegrass all over the world. Saturday June 29th it starts at 12 o'clock with theAperitif on the terrace and, following, the “Irpinia Lunch” (by reservation at 082749291 or by sending an email to prolococandriano@outlook.it). At 17pm wild west games and, following, theopening of the ranch with attractions and the baptism of the saddle. At 20pm the stands will open with wine and typical product tastings in the Castle atrium, while in Piazza Sergio Leone at 21pm they will perform The Seven Mouths, a group that experiences popular music as a mix of joy, passion and magic and, following, Officina Zoè, great fathers of Salento music, a captivating band with an unmistakable sound and ambassador of pizzica in the world, while in the Western Village from 21.30 pm Country music and traveling shows by Clan H. Sunday 30 June at 12 aperitif on the terrace and, to follow, Lunch with the Chef edited by Vincent Del Priore e Giancarlo Silanus of the “Ruspoli Restaurant”, located inside the suggestive Ruspoli Candriano Castle (by reservation at 082749291 or by sending an email to prolococandriano@outlook.it). At 16pm thecultural meeting “Unpublished stories of the Leone family in Torella” at the council chamber of the Castle and, at 20pm, opening of the stands with wine tastings and typical products at the Castle atrium. In Piazza Sergio Leone music from 21pm with Agostino Tordiglione Trio, instrumentalist and author from Irpinia, composer and performer and, to follow, Mimmo Cavallaro, singer-songwriter of ethnic music, among the few interpreters and experimenters of the Calabrese musical tradition, while in the Western Village from 21.30 pm on stage the Stragatti, explosive and engaging, the first pop-a-billy band in Italy, and itinerant shows curated by Clan H.

Even this year awards and gadgets for those who will participate in the western costume party. Also, during the days, guided tours of the Turella Parva Turris Museum e photographic exhibitions “Torella che fu”, show on Sergio Leone and "Rebirth”By Roberto Cipollone. Finally, at the Piazzetta ex bancomat every day from 16pm attractions for children. For any information you can contact the Tourist Office at 0827.49291 or by sending an email to prolococandriano@outlook.it.“We are carrying forward a peculiarity of Torella dei Lombardi - states Mayor Amado Delli Gatti - linked to the western world. Torella has an indissoluble bond with western cinema and this is what we are trying to evoke through this event. This is not a caricature of the Sergio Leone Award, which we are trying to relaunch, but a way to innovate and renew a summer event dedicated to healthy and joyful fun. Not a historical reenactment but a modern celebration of our way of seeing the old western. We are organizing this event with full knowledge of the facts, because one of our fellow citizens - and not just any citizen - created a genre that revolutionized the world of international cinema, inserting dozens of references to our country into his films. But “Sapori Antichi” will also be more: space for food and wine production, craftsmanship, the promotion of our artistic and architectural heritage, from Castello Candriano to our Museum, in collaboration with local associations that, as an administration, we have always had at the top of our priorities and commitments. An important thank you goes to the Campania Region, which has allowed us, thanks to the funding provided to the Municipality through the POC Campania funds, to further grow this event which, thanks only to the commitment of the Pro Loco Candriano and the many volunteers, had already undertaken an important path of visibility and growth”.

“Sapori Antichi is proposed in an even more enriched and expanded version - says artistic director Roberto D'Agnese -. An important scenographic part, with more elements and a lot of street theater, to involve visitors more and more and let them immerse themselves completely in the western atmosphere. Also this year the musical part will develop in two areas, one dedicated to the Italian popular tradition and one to the western tradition, with excellent names that will tread both stages and shows of the highest quality. The track is that of culture, from food and wine to art, managing to express in 360 degrees the value of a territory, a community and an event, making it characteristic and marking it as one of a kind. I am honored to be reconfirmed for the third year at Torella as artistic director – continues D'Agnese – because here there is a great team and a great community, demonstrating that events are fundamental for the life of communities because they create aggregation, sharing of work but also of emotions linked to an event. In a word, they create wealth in communities, especially from a social and human point of view. A wave of positive sensations that, we are sure, will be felt by every visitor who comes to Torella on the occasion of this edition of Sapori Antichi”.