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Everything you need to know for your holidays in Corsica...
| Whats on in Corsica - Events, festivals and Fairs... | ||
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| There is always something going on in Corsica, from a simple village fair to an elaborate
firework display or open air concerts. We have put together a list of the best known events, most of which take place annually. You can either click on your month of travel from the list below to see what's on while you are in Corsica, or browse through the year until something catches your eye. |
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| Key dates for major festivals and fairs in 2007 | ||
| 6 April | Easter processions |
| 28 & 29 April | Fiera di u Casgiu (Venaco's cheese fair) |
| 2 June | Fete de la Saint Erasme (St. Erasme celebrations) |
| 3 - 10 June | Calvi Jazz Festival, 20th edition |
| 3 - 13 July | Festivoce at Pigna |
| 5 - 8 July | Calvi on the Rocks (music festival) |
| 7 & 8 July (2nd weekend) | Luri wine festival |
| 22 July | A Notte di a Memoria : La Releve du Gouverneur (changing of the governors at Bastia |
| 28 July - 3 August | Festival Europeen du cinema et du monde rural (Lama Film Festval |
| 1st week of August | Festival de Musique (Erbalunga music festival) |
| August - date TBA | Les Rencontres de Calenzana (Cassical music festival) |
| 3 - 7 August | Porto Latino (Latin American music festival in Saint Florent) |
| 15 August | Fete de l'Assomption (celebrations across the island) |
| 11 - 15 September | Rencontres Polyphonique de Calvi (Calvi music festival) |
| 4 - 7 October | Tour de Corse Historique (vintage car rally) |
| 9 - 14 October | Les Musicales de Bastia (Bastia music festival) |
| 11 - 14 October | Tour de Corse (car rally) |
| 18 - 21 October | Tour de Corse a la voile (sailing tour of Corsica) |
| 31 October - 4 November | Festiventu (Calvi wind festival) |
Event arrangements in Corsica can often change at the last minute, so it's always best to check final details with the local tourist office on arrival.
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MARCH
A Festa di l'Oliu -
festival held in mid March at Sainte-Lucie de Tallano.
Rencontres de la bande dessinée - workshops and exhibitions
covering the art of comic strips and illustrations. Held in Bastia
Festival du Film Britannique - British film festival held in
Bastia at the end of March
EASTER
A Passione
- Holy Week is the time for a great spectacle in the Corsican
language retracing the Passion of Christ - U Svegliu Calvese - A Filetta, Calvi.
A Granitola
- Calvi Good Friday. The brothers of the orders of Saint Antoine and Erasmus, dressed as cowled, barefooted penitents,
march in procession through the town and into the citadel courtyard. La Granitola, a symbolic, penitential procession,
describing a coiling and uncoiling spiral, is repeated at various points along the route. Takes place on Good Friday.
Procession of the "Black Christ" - Bastia Good Friday. Cowled penitents process through the streets of the Citadel
on Good Friday.
A Merendella in Castagniccia - this fair takes place at Piedricroce at Easter selling local products.
U Catenacciu
- Sartene Vendredi Saint. The most famous of the Good Friday processions. A shackled penitent, wearing a cowl and
carrying a cross, walks a steeply sloping route barefoot through the town, symbolising the stations on the cross.
Only the parish priest knows the penitent's identity.
Procession of the five Orders - Bonifacio Vendredi Saint. Members of the five Orders process through the town on Good
Friday via different routes and join up again at the parish church where they are blessed by the emblem of the
relic of the Holy Cross. Each brotherhood carries relics and statues of the Saints sculpted on wooden shrines in
the Baroque style which are lit with torches and lanterns. Traditional chants and pagan rituals enhance the mystical
feature of these processions.
APRIL
Journée du Brocciu - Piana. Brocciu is a type of cheese produced from sheep's or goat's milk. Lectures, exhibitions,
demonstrations of its production and finally tasting one of the best regional products all form part of this day
in its honour. The organisers of this event are also able to conjure up the shepherds' trails and enchant spectators
with recitals of pastoral tales and legends.
Cheese and Wine day
- Cauro. South Corsican wines and cheeses are offered for tasting and sale on the second sunday in April each year
on Cauro's village square. Brocciu fans can watch cooking demonstrations and enjoy a smorgasbord of pastries and
prepared dishes.
A Fiera di u Casgiu -
the island's premiere cheese festival held at Venaco. You can also find stands for artisans, craftsmen and other
specialities.
MAY
Fireworks festival
- Calvi. Three French, Spanish and Italian firework teams will take it in turns to set the sky alight over Calvi.
Foire A Gravona
- Ucciani. Artisanal and pastoral fairs held in the valley of Gravona at the village of Ucciani.
Festimare, festival of the sea - Ile Rousse. This unsual three day event brings together the educational, business, industrial,
sporting and cultural worlds around the central theme of the sea. Festimare takes place on Place Paoli in the town
centre, with activities including children's workshops debates and conferences, exhibitions and maritime leisure
activities such as regattas.
Fiera di Corti -
Corte's fair with the emphasis on hunting and fishing.
Nautival Maritime festival - Macinaggio. This event is a celebration
of all aspects of the sea, providing the central theme for the participating sailors, craftsmen, collectors, painters,
photographers, authors, etc. Nautival is held at the marina, with shows, taster courses in water sports and marine
leisure pursuits, walks along the 'customs officers' trail' and boat trips. The celebration is rounded off by a
boat blessing ceremony and a torchlit procession in honour of the Virgin Mary.
Festival Sport Nature - festival to celebrate sport and nature,
held in Porto Vecchio and the Alta Rocca.
Bonifacio Medieval Celebrations - Bonifacio. Pentecost weekend
celebrates the year 1541, when Charles the Fifth set foot in the town. Charles, Emperor of the Germanic Holy Roman
Empire, King of Spain and Grandmaster of the Golden Fleece stayed for three days in Bonifacio. The joyful citizens
of Bonifacio celebrated the arrival of their suzerain. Noble lords and graceful ladies, valiant knights and the
well-fed bourgeoisie rushed to applaud the flag twirlers and dance to the tunes of the lute players. Historical
spectacle and medieval market.
ILE DANSE
Dance festival - Ajaccio. The performers help us to look beyond face
values and force us to question our desire for ready-made solutions. We feel a need to see the full picture, but
the performers provide just an outline,encouraging us to think carefully to fill the gaps...
JUNE
Calvi
Jazz Festival - The
big names in international jazz come together in Calvi in the middle of the month. One of the most popular events
in Calvi. Click HERE for more information.
Fête de Saint-Erasme - blessing of fishing boats 2nd of June in Ajaccio, Bastia and Calvi. For the last few
years, an association formed by the town's fishermen has organised two days of Saint Erasmus festivities, the highlight
being a feast of grilled freshly caught fish served against the picturesque backdrop of the 'Tino Rossi' marina
located at the foot of Ajaccio's citadel.
Italian week
- Porto-Vecchio, Each year a different Italian region is represented.
Story-telling night
- Vero. 'La nuit du Conte' was inaugurated in 1993 to revive the art of storytelling, providing a forum for meeting
people and for self-expression. Gathered together in natural surroundings, in public squares resembling amphitheatres
that are accessed through narrow, candle-lit streets, the audience listens to amateur and professional storytellers
weave their magic with nothing more than their voices.
Les Voix du Lazaret -
World music festival organised by the Jazz in Aiacciu Association. Held in Ajaccio, it features performers from
around the world.
I Pescadori - fishing festival held in Ajaccio including boat-board
jousting and other competitions.
Fête de l'Ane (Donkey festival) - Aleria. A small festival
held in the village of Ernella on the RN200 main road to Aleria. Includes entertainement, donkey ride and childrens
games.
Festa di u legnu e di a Furesta: wood and forest
fair at Vezzani. This fair, which is held in the heart of one
of Corsica's forests, promotes awareness of the wood and forestry industry through a range of activities including
demonstrations by industry professionals and lumberjack contests. Craftsmen from around the island also display
their considerable know-how over the two-day event.
San Ghjuva
- Corte. Every year, a day of cultural exchanges is organised for the feast of Saint John, focusing on traditional
Corsican poetry and music. This year the theme is 'Chjam'e rispndi', a melting-pot of oral traditions. Corte's
15th century citadel and the Musee de la Corse museum provide and outstanding setting for this special day, which
will continue late into the night at the Sermanu centre of traditional music.
International contemporary arts workshops - Ile Mouvante, a week of workshops and concerts held in the village of Sant'Antonino.
Cavall' in Festa Horse Festival - Corte. As the regional horse-fair,
Cavall'in Festa is an unmissable event for the equestrian and farming communities. Riding shows and demonstrations,
children's activities, horse rides, traps and carriages, trick riding and dressage naturally all feature on the
programme. This year, Cavall'in festa is to host the finals of the Corsican show jumping championship.
Fête de la St-Jean de Bonifacio - A procession through the streets of the old town.
A Fiera di un Mare
- Solenzara et la Foire de la mer.
JULY
Les Nuits de la Guitare - Patrimonio. The unusual feature of this event, staged in Patrimonio's marvellous open
air theatre, is that it hosts an electric line-up of guitar virtuosos. For the last 13 years, these Guitar blues,
flamenco, gipsy, rock, tzigane, tango...and classical music.
Festivoce
- Pigna. With Pigna as the focal point, the picturesque villages of Balagne play host to the various evening performances
of the Festivoce festival. Singers from Corsica and across the world accompany theatre and dance performances.
This is a celebration of song down the ages and through changing musical tastes.
A Notte di a Memoria : Le Releve du Gouverneur (The
changing of the Governors) - Bastia. Historical spectacles recalling
the arrival of the Genoese governor in Bastia, capital of the Kingdom of Corsica. The new governor is accommodated
with the old port and passes through the streets of the old town to the square where the keep stands. The Governor
is then invested with the outgoing official's authority. A demonstration of flag twirling and drumming accompanies
the 150-strong procession, and there are impressive spectacles in the Vieux-port and on the place du Donjon.
Festa di u Mare
- cultural and sporting events on the theme of the sea at Santa Severa, marina in Luri.
Calvi on the Rocks -
An annual pop festival for youngsters.
Pratu Summer Fair -'A Bocca di U Pratu' - Quercitello. This traditional rural fair is held on the Col du Pratu, on the road into
Castagniccia, a rural area with a strong regional identity. The fair includes cattle shows and a produce exhibition.
The cultural aspect is enhanced by Paghjelle (multi-part shepherd songs) and Chjami'e Rispondi (sung oral jousting)
competitions and polyphonic singing.
Festival Europeen de Cinema et du Monde Rural - a small but very good festival devoted to films with a rural theme. Held in
Lama each year.
Rencontres Theatrales de Haute Corse - a four week schedule of
theatrical workshops and plays, centred around the villages of the Giussani.
The Battle of Ponte Novu - a 'Son et Lumiere' display to commemorate
the Battle of Ponte Novu (1769) - a famous defeat of Corsican patriots by the French.
Wine Fair - Luri first weekend in July. The Cap Corse region
has a strong wine-growing tradition, and the reputation of certain vineyards extends beyond the region's borders.
Winegrowers from every region of the island invite the public to taste fragant whites, rosés, reds and muscats
at this fair. Visitors will also find a range of authentic craft products and foodstuffs.
Nuits du Blues -
Blues concerts held in the outdoor theatre at Casone.
Olive tree fair - (Balagne). Every year, the 'Foire de l'olivier'
attracts almost 10,000 visitors to a splendid olive grove on the slopes of Monte Grosso. The olive tree fair views
itself as a celebration of local heritage, and offers a relaxed mix of exhibitions, meetings with artists, a children's
fete and a delicious array of the flavours, aromas and colours.
Grand raid inter-lacs
- mountain running race around the most beautiful lakes at Corte.
Fiera di San Petru di Lumio - Lumio. Craft fair exclusively for produce having a regional identity. Over the two days,
numerous activities are on offer for visitors, including guided tours of various sites in the region, a sculpture
competition, Chjami'e rispondi (traditional oral jousting), a treasure hunt, children's entertainement and music
evenings.
Summer in Ajaccio
- festival of music and dance, at the end of July and beginning of August.
AUGUST
Fête de l'Assomption - Calvi, Ajaccio & Bastia. Firework celebrations around the island to celebrate assumption.
15th August each year.
Porto Latino
- Saint Florent. A festival of Latino and South American music with concerts held in the Citadel.
Festivale Musiche in Sermanu - festival of traditional music and danse, concerts and workshops and even a traditional
ball.
Music festival at Erbalunga - variety, jazz and guitars in the little village at Cap Corse.
Les Rencontres de Clenzana - Classical music festival at Calenzana.
Ascent of Mount San Petrone - Campana. Ascent of the Mount St Petrone, with mass celebrated at the top of the mountain.
Notre dame des Nieges (Pilgrimage of our Lady of
the Snows) - Bavella. Pilgrimage of Notre Dame des Neiges (Our
Lady of the Snows) in a magnificent pine forest at the foot of the famous 'Aiguilles de Bavella', 10 kilometres
from the village of Zonza.
Rural Tourism Fair
- Sollacaro. Craft fair: sale, tasting and demonstration of quality foods and craft wares. Musical entertainment
and evening dance.
Fiera di Filitosa -
One of Corsica's more important village fairs, held at Filitosa.
Foire de Baracci - Held in the grounds of the old spa, more than
80 stands and exhibitions connected with the regional parks and historic themes.
Sampiero - seminars, exhibitions and street plays depicticting
the life of Sampiero Corso 'the most Corsican of Corsicans'. Held in Bastelica.
Napoleonic Celebrations - Ajaccio. As well as the religious ceremonies
associated with the assumption, Ajaccio celebrates its links with Napoleon Bonaparte. Grand procession, parade,
spectacles in period dress, ceremonies commemorating the anniversary of the birth of Napoleon I and a pyrotechnic
symphony over the bay of Ajaccio.
Almond Tree Fair
- Aregno. Craft and painting exhibitions, cookery competitions, concerts and children's entertainment are organised
in the natural setting of the village of Aregno, with the fair's central theme of almonds also providing the subject
for two conferences.
Destination hazelnut
- a gastronomic, cultural and musical event based on the promotion of hazelnuts in the village of Cervione.
Festa Antica: Aleria at the cross-roads of civilisations - Aleria. Aleria invites its visitors to share in the 8000 year history of the
town that at the time of the Romans was the capital of ancient Corsica. The inhabitants of Aleria dress up like
their Roman ancestors, inviting anyone who so wishes to don historical costumes and take part in the two days of
festivities, with guided tours of historical and natural sites, Roman menus in the local restaurants (theme menus),
costumed processions, Olympic competitions, play jousting, a large craft market, children's activities and musical
entertainment.
SEPTEMBER
Calvi Festival of Polyphony - Calvi. Corsica's polyphonic singing is one of the island's most popular cultural traditions.
This festival has grown into one of the island's major events, where artistic expression provides a channel for
us to celebrate the infinite diversity of our identities. For five days each year, polyphonic ensembles from all
over the world (including Mongols, Inuits, Tibetans, South Africans, Cubans, Sardinians, etc..) perform in the
heart of Calvi's Citadel. The various performances are held in the St Jean-Baptiste cathedral, the Saint Antoine
oratory and the place d'Armes square.
Settembrinu di Tavagna Music Festival - The Tavagna music festival is organised jointly by five villages (Peru Casevecchje,
Velone-Olmeto, Taglio Isolaccia, Poggio-Mezzana and Talasani) in the Tavagna microregion. The cosmopolitan programme
includes evening performances by artists from a variety of countries, and offers a successful blend of modern and
traditional music.
Notre Dame de Pancheraccia - Pancheraccia. Mary the Virgin appeared at the end of the 18th century, near this village,
situated in the heart of the Haute Corse, in southern Castagniccia, between Corte and Aleria, after the Corsican
people had elected her as their 'Queen of Corsica' in 1736. Like Bernadette in Lourdes, a little girl saw God's
mother there. Yearly mass on the 5th of August.
Festimonti -
Workshops and mountain events held at Bocognano, betweek Corte and Ajaccio.
Niolu Fair and A Santa di U Niolu Casamaccioli - Although originally
a pastoral tradition, the Niolu fair now hosts many craft stalls. This is a major meeting for Corsicans, in particular
because of its religious nature (being held on the feast of Santa di U Niolu). The fair is among the island's oldest.
Celebration of the 'Santa di U Niolu' Mass with traditional hymns. This fair gives place to cultural and traditional
meetings in which take part, in abstract manner, groups and singers, famous or anonymous as well as lots of undiscoverd
talent.
Fete de Notre Dame
- Bonifacio. Festival of Our Lady. Stuffed aubergines 'a la Bonifacienne' are prepared for this religious festival
and handed out to those attending the ceremony.
Porto Vecchio Fair
- Porto Vecchio. This craft fair promotes the local economy through the various exhibitors.
Festi Acqua, Water Festival - Propriano. Water is Corsica's most
precious resource, both in terms of its diversity (with the sea, lakes and rivers). Therefore it is only natural
to hold a festival - the 'Festi Acqua'- in its honour. The programme features conferences, exhibitions, concerts
and street entertainment creating a real festival atmosphere.
Mele in Festa - Murzo
- This fair encourages visitors to discover the local specialities and in particular Corsican honey, which has
now obtained 'Appellation d'Origine Controlee' status.
OCTOBER
Festiventu: Festival of the Wind - Calvi. Calvi stages a colourful festival in honour of the wind in all its forms.
This well-publicised event features a unique concept combining art, culture, sport, science and new technologie
such as wind and solar power. There is a wide range of activities for children.
Festival des cinemas du Sud - Mediterranean film festival in Ajaccio.
Bastia Music Festival - Bastia.
The 'Musicales of Bastia' festival gives pride of place to the songs and music of the deep south. Every strand
of southern music is represented, from baroque to world music, jazz and blues, and of course singing. Prestigious
performers, surprising meetings, budding talents, unsual performances and Corsican creations always feature heavily.
Le Tour de Corse Historique - Vintage car rallye passing through 120 towns and villages throughout Corsica
Le Tour de Corse -
Car rallye throughout Corsica
Le Tour de Corse a la Voile - Sailing rallye around Corsica starting from Bonifacio
NOVEMBER
Apple and natural produce festival - Bastelica. This event is organised in recognition of the apple and its special
qualities, with two days of discoveries, relaxation and tasting. Visitors are encouraged to 'sink their teeth into'
the natural apple juice, apple jelly, fruit confetionery, jams and dried fruits. The finest charcuterie produced
in the Prunelli Valley and Craft displays also feature at the festival.
International Chess Open - Chess tournament in Bastia
A Nostra Mele -
Honey festival at Bestelica.
Chestnut Blossom Festival - Evisa. To promote the products of
the chesnuts economy, such is the objective of the organisers of this demonstration whose spearhead is the chestnut
of Evisa 'Insitina' varieties of chestnut offering the characteristic, in addition to its distinctive value. In
addition the mushroom is associated with this festival.
DECEMBER
Animated film festival - held at the Fogota cinema in Ile Rousse.
Fiera di a Castagna - Bocognano. The chestnut fair is considered
to be Corsica's largest regional fair. The chestnut and its different uses are honoured on this occasion, and there
is a regional chestnut flour contest.
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