About this Event
Amaraterra celebrates 15th Anniversary with the Puglian Italian Fest!
Join us in person for an unforgettable day as Amaraterra marks 15 amazing years! Dive into the rich flavors and traditions of Puglia at our Puglian Italian Fest. Enjoy authentic flavours, lively music, and great company. Don’t miss out on this fantastic celebration filled with culture, fun, and plenty of Italian spirit. Let’s make it a birthday to remember!
Pugliesi nel Mondo – UK Section (The Apulians in the World UK) invite you to the first edition of the Puglian Italian Fest, a series of six events taking place from 6–15 June.
Are you ready for the opening night?
Join us for the concert that launches the festival, featuring the fabulous ensemble Amaraterra, celebrating 15 years since their formation in 2011.
The name Amaraterra evokes the hardship of making a living in rural societies — literally “bitter land” or “hard soil.” Their music carries a nostalgia for authentic flavours, strong community values and vivid passions.
They are London’s first and only Pizzica band, bringing the furious, tambourine-driven trance dance of Salento in Southern Italy to the stage — hypnotic rhythms, vibrant colours and unstoppable energy.
The core band members are:
- Federico Tommasi – voice / tamburello
- Alfredo Giani – mandolin
- Roberta Fischetti – accordion
- Massimiliano Passante – voice / tamburello
- Antonio Fersini – guitar
- Mark Glanville basso baritono/ ciaramella
- Cassandre Balbar flute/ cornamuse
“Pizzica” refers to the mythical bite of the tarantula spider. According to Southern Italian folklore, the only cure for its poison was to dance relentlessly to the pounding rhythm of the tambourine until the body was freed from the trance.
Expect sizzling stornelli and wild Pizzica rhythms from Southern Italy.
Event Details
Saturday 6 June – 8:00 PM
Food: Mediterranean food available at the venue from 5:00 PM
Drinks: Cocktails and craft beer
Programme
- 8:00 PM – Doors open
- 8:15 PM – Festival opening announcements
- 8:30 PM – Pizzica dancers on stage
- 9:15 PM – Amaraterra live in concert
- 11:30 PM – Concert ends
About the Festival
The Puglian Italian Fest is promoted by Pugliesi nel Mondo – UK, which began its activities in London a few years ago. The organisation has been active in Italy for over 15 years, organising the well-known “Pugliesi nel Mondo Awards”, which celebrate outstanding Apulians around the world.
Each year, fifteen notable Apulians (“Eccellenze”) are honoured with the patronage and support of national and local government institutions, private sponsors and Italian communities abroad.
The Puglian Italian Fest in London is supported by several associations and organisations that have made the festival possible.
Main patrons and sponsors include:
- The Consulate General of Italy in London
- Com.It.Es London (Committee of Italians Abroad)
- CinemaItaliaUK
- Il Circolo – Italian Cultural Association
Exclusive media partners:
- London One Radio
- Fairness Magazine
Additional contributors include:
Upper Place Food Hall, Spigadolce, FICUK, Accademia della Puglia UK, La Pizzica Restaurant, Becomedy, Masseria San Domenico, San Domenico House Hotel, Mediterranea Film and the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art.
Festival Vision
The festival aims to rediscover Apulian cultural values and traditions, reconnect communities with their roots and foster dialogue between generations and cultures.
Each event explores a different dimension of Apulian culture — including music, cinema, architecture, photography, literature, comedy, food culture and local products.
The Puglian Italian Fest welcomes the entire Italian community in the UK, as well as anyone who loves Italian culture and language.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Jamboree, 6 Saint Chad's Place, London, United Kingdom
GBP 13.00 to GBP 15.00
