Brindisi : San Theodore (from the last Sunday in August for eight days)
Regatta, boat race and water fireworks celebrating Saint Theodore, the Patron Saint of Shipping. Beginning on the last Sunday in August for eight days, Brindisi celebrates every night of the week with fireworks, religous processions through the city and more. In particular is the much anticipated "Palio dell'Arca" - a competition in which fishing boats "race", as fast as fishing boats can race anyway, against each other to see who will arrive first at a point where the coveted Ark of Silver is, within which sits a facsimile of the remains of the Saint.
Brindisi : Sea Procession of Patron Saints (Palio dell'Arca) (first Saturday)
The procession takes place at sea in the inner harbour, sceduled to start at 7pm. Starting from the Aragonese Castle, the statues and relics of saints are carried by sea on a boat, surrounded by other baors, around the inner harbour, down to the central pier from where a procession accompanies the saints to the Cathedral.The "Palio dell'Arca" event commemorates a miracle in 1210 when the remains of Saint Teodoro were brought back from Turkey, avoiding detection by Turkish soliders by being passed to small fishing boats. A firework display ends the celebrations.
Carpignano : Festa te lu Mieru (1st weekend)
Dancing and wine tasting. During this festa wine is drunk in the town's squares and it is considered to be a magical drink because it makes the people feel less embarrassed and helps them start the famous 'tarantate' dance.
Close to the stadium, during the evening, the name of the best local wine of the previous year is announced. Here you will be able to drink as much wine as you want and you can also taste typical dishes. For example, try a very special hot panino roll with ricotta scante, a special kind of paste made in the Salento from anchovies and hot chilli oil. You can also try 'pieces' of horse meat with sauce or frise. Finally there is lots of lacciu, pices of celery that locals love dipping in wine, to avoid getting drunk immediately. Celebrations go on all night long.
June to September - Lecce
Throughout the summer Lecce hosts a number of free events including concerts, comedy, theatre, dance etc. More information will be available from Lecce Tourist Info or in the magazine Qui Salento.
