Magic, stories and traditions: the "Fire Rites" are celebrated in Lioni

The traditional event, from 7 to 10 December, "Rites of Fire" in the streets of the historic center of Lioni, between folklore and legends.

The bonfires will warm the bodies and the music the souls, the streets will be filled with theatrical performances and masks of different traditions, the children will learn about ancient games and the food and wine offer will fill the streets with joy.

A very rich program which sees among the guests the singer Ginevra Di Marco (9 December) and the writer Franco Arminio (10 December).

“We have always offered testimony to this event, on which we are focusing a lot, even during the pandemic. 2022 had marked a rebirth, now we are preparing to welcome visitors and artists and there is every intention between now and the next few years to make the event a real festival, a meeting of cultures from the Italian territories and Southern Italy in particular”, expressed the Tourism Councilor of the Municipality of Lioni, Maria Antonietta Ruggiero, during the presentation conference at the Avellino Press Club.

Above all, we highlight the presence of traditions and musicians from all over Italy, which make "Rites of Fire" a unique event of its kind. From Molise, to be precise from Jelsi, province of Campobasso, the evocative show "The Ballad of the Bear Man" will arrive in Alta Irpinia. From Basilicata “The Tricarico Carnival” with its mysterious masks. From Puglia the popular sounds of the Mulieres Garganiche, while from Naples the Frente Murguero Campano arrives in Lioni.

On the musical front, in addition to the voice of Ginevra Di Marco, the Bolognese Slavi Bravissime People will take to the stage with a sound halfway between Italian singer-songwriter and Balkan music.

Naturally there will be no shortage of artists from Irpinia. The bond with Clan H is therefore strengthened, which this year proposes "Everything wrong in the right place" after having brought the colors of Santa Muerte in previous editions and developed numerous performances.

On the stage of the concert area the Lyonnais Makardìa, Malammeste, Viviana Miele and the Irpinia Cantatiemp.

But the program is characterized by moments of in-depth analysis on the themes of "Rites of Fire". Among traditions and legends, the Lyonnaise dialect laboratory of Professor Fausta Palmieri. Or “Memories of a Janara”, monologue by Emanuela Sica with readings by Gilda Rizzi and the Women's Council of Lioni.

There will also be space for the gastronomic workshops of "Il laboratory of creativity", for excursions in collaboration with Sci Club Lioni and the N.O.G.R.A. association, for the performance of the Dancing Queen dance school.

It doesn't end here: jugglers and fire acrobatics in the alleys, nativity display, rites from Irpinia such as the Osco Rabel, the Janare of Chianche and the Squacqualacchiun of Teora.

There will be no shortage of religious moments such as the floral tribute to the statue of the Immaculate Conception organized by Catholic Action: the event is in fact inspired by the traditions of La Madonna de lo Fuoco.

“Visitors will be spoiled for choice during these days, also enriched by the contribution of the entire community for a series of activities related to the season,” says mayor Yuri Gioino.

The “Rites of Fire” event is organized by the Municipality of Lioni and the Proloco Lioni as part of the project “Itineraries of Irpini between culture, history, theater and traditions”. The intervention is co-financed by the Poc Campania 2014-2020, urban regeneration, tourism and culture policies. Single program of cultural, naturalistic and food and wine tourist itineraries of national and international scope.

“Chi avìa ro pane morìo, chi avìa ro fuoco campao!”

The program:

December 7th

4.00 pm – Dialect workshops organized by Fausta Palmieri (Sala Giunta del Comune)

6.00 pm – Inauguration of the exhibition and nativity scene workshops (Church of the Annunziata)

7.00 pm – Parade of the musical band and opening of the festival with the lighting of the braziers

From 8.30pm traveling shows
Cantatiemp
Fire acrobatics
Janare of Chianche
The Oscan Rabel
Squaqualacchiun

December 8th

10:00 am – Guided tour of Casale Leonum (meeting in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III)

12.00 pm – Floral tribute to the statue of the Immaculate Conception by the Catholic Action (Piazza San Roco)

4.00 pm – Dialect workshops organized by Fausta Palmieri (Sala Giunta del Comune)

5.00 pm – Juggling show

6.00 pm – Musical performance by Viviana Miele (Church of the Annunziata)

7.30pm – Lighting and blessing of the bonfires

from 8.30 pm traveling shows:
Front Murguero Campano
The Tricarico Carnival
Mulieres Gargano
The Janare of Chianche
The Oscan Rabel

9.00 pm – I Malammeste Concert

10.00 pm – Slavi Bravissime persone Concert 

December 9th

10:00 am – Guided visit to the Goleto Abbey (meeting in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III)

4.00 pm – Dialect workshops organized by Fausta Palmieri (Sala Giunta del Comune)

4.00 pm – Performance by the students of the Dancing Queen dance school

5.00 pm – Clan H in “Everything wrong in the right place” show for children and others

5.30pm – Handmade pasta workshop organized by the Creativity Laboratory

6.00 pm – “Janara or emancipated woman?” monologue by Emanuela Sica, readings by Gilda Rizzi and Consulta delle Donne of Lioni

From 8.30pm traveling shows
Front Murguero Campano
The Ballad of the Bear Man
The Mulieres Gargano

9.00 pm – Makardia Concert

10.00 pm – Ginevra Di Marco concert

December 10th

9.30 am – Walk in the mountains along the “La Faja de la Madonna” path (meeting in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III) organized by the Lioni Ski Club and the N.O.G.R.A association

10.30 am – arrival of the Historic Train and start of the Casale Leonum tour (meeting point at Lioni railway station)

12:00 – Aperitif and wine tasting with Ginevra Di Marco

12.30pm – Cantatiemp traveling group

4.00 pm – Dialect workshops organized by Fausta Palmieri (municipal council room)

6.00 pm – Sacro Minore – meeting with Franco Arminio (Church of the Annunziata)

On all days the food and wine stands will be open for lunch and dinner.