Molise does Matter

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCrNGgVJ0ig)

pronto per storytelling in Sud Italia quest’estate 

As the sun begins to set over the mountain tops in the small town of Castel Nuovo Di Volturno the drums begin to roll and a band of deer and huntsmen march into the main square. 

There in front of a roaring fire throwing sparks across the spectators,  the ritual killing of the old stag takes place, primaeval screams fill the air. 

Here in the midst of Southern Italian, another remarkable festival takes place as it has done for centuries, even its origins are uncertain. 

Based on the story of Dionysus who was torn to shreds then reborn to symbolize the passage of winter into spring both man and child still continue to act out their version of this ancient tale 

The scenes now are really not that different than they would have been a hundred or more years ago, although the assembled throng of onlookers will have certainly travelled from further afield, and the music which fills the air is amplified by speakers.

Here too just like any festival here in Southern Italy as the characters drift away the story having been told for another year food plays an important part and everyone tucks in bowls of steaming polenta and sausage washed down by copious amounts of beer.

Castel Nuovo Di Volturno has seen the rebirth of another year

Swing the Night away at the Cupolette Hotel in Vinchiaturo, Molise.

We are tucked away in the depths of Molise and we have so much to offer.

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The boot of Italy reaches down from central Europe, with the seas of the Adriatic on one side, the Ligurian, and Tyrrhenian seas on the other, its toe dipping into the Ionian sea.

The beaches are endless stretches of golden sand, which in the summer are festooned with rows of  bright garish sun umbrellas

In July and August people flock to take the sun to bronze their bodies, and bathe lazily in the crystal blue waters.

The seaside resorts in Molise along the Adriatic coast are teeming with people.

 Campomarino is the largest laying just below Termoli. It has a huge choice of bars, and restaurants both in the town and on the beach. 

One particular beach bar called LA PLAYA is run by Giovanni and his English wife Cara. You will be met with friendly smiles and offered a friendly family atmosphere, great for all ages.

Stop by if you are in Campomarino and say hi....

 “Got off my butt”  again to coin an American expression.

I am back on my quest to discover more about Molise and to write about it.

This month I have been exploring in Venafro, Castel Nuovo del Volturno, Agnone, Jelsi, and  Torella del Sannio here in Molise and I popped over the border  Ortona to discover a little more about the if impact of  WW2 in the region. 

Briefly to bring my blog up to date then.

VENAFRO

This town sits on the border of Molise on route to Rome. 

The most exciting things about the town are the castle, which houses some incredibly beautiful frescoes of horses, and are well worth a visit.

However my main interest in visiting was to see the private collection of WW2 memorabilia, all of which is housed in the old town. The curator and President is Luciano Buccio who as well as being Mayor of the nearby village Concale Casale brims with enthusiasm for the history of the region, and the part it played in WW2. 

I spent several very interesting hours there. I was greatly impressed by his knowledge and passion for keeping the past alive.

I hope to work with him in the future to ensure that his work continues and that as while we remember  those who died in WW1, a hundred years ago this year, we can work towards ensuring that the memories who lived through WW2 are not forgotten either.