Cultivating the land is an act of peace; defending it is an act of freedom

From August 29 to 31, 2026, the small town of Castiglione d’Otranto (LE) will once again host the 15th edition of Notte Verde. Organized by Casa delle Agriculture Tullia e Gino, this year’s edition addresses highly topical issues: radical ecology, social justice, pacifism, and the regeneration of local communities.

The 2026 event is dedicated to the memory of Sacko Bakari, a farm laborer whose story underscores the importance of an agroecology that is, above all, anti-racist and centered on the rights of those who work the land.

What You’ll Find at Notte Verde 2026

La Notte Verde is a completely free, accessible, and environmentally friendly event (Ecofesta certification), designed to share knowledge and develop concrete ecological alternatives.

• School of Agriculture & Rural Parliaments: Free workshops for adults (fermentation, natural cheese-making, outdoor education, and sensory workshops), complemented by group discussions focused on the common good and the right to land.
• Green Night for Girls and Boys: A space entirely dedicated to children, featuring puppets, eco-friendly parades, animated readings on human rights, and street games.
• Training & Events: Among the main events are the 2nd edition of the Advanced Training Course in Peace Journalism and the evening discussions featuring guests such as Francesca Albanese (UN Special Rapporteur), Barbara Nappini (Slow Food Italy), and Christian Elia.
• Exhibitions, Installations & Public Art: From the moving exhibition of drawings titled “HeArt FOR GAZA” to the textile work “5.7 km of Cries in the Silence,” to the traveling installations in the historic center.
• Music & Entertainment: The grand finale concert on August 31 featuring Cisco Bellotti (Reduci Tour) in Piazza della Libertà, preceded in the days leading up to it by performances by Alessia Tondo, Claudio Prima, and numerous street bands and performances throughout the town’s alleys.

The Geography of the Festival (August 31)

On the evening of August 31, the town transforms into a map of themed routes:

• Cereal Trail: Tours of the Community Mill, fresh pasta workshops, and live bread-making demonstrations.
• Biodiversity & Life Trail: Seed exchange, fruit tree exhibitions, free distribution of saplings for reforestation, and sustainable beekeeping.
• Natural Food & Wine Festivals: Locally sourced communal dining (with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options) and tastings of natural wines from Salento.

Useful Information for Participants

• Sustainable Mobility: Anyone who chooses to ride a bike to the event will receive a 10% discount coupon for dinner at the Casa delle Agriculture booth.
• Shuttles & Parking: Ample parking is available in the industrial area (off State Road 275) and along the provincial road to Depressa. On August 31, a free shuttle service will run from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
• Accessibility: Removal of architectural barriers, Braille menus, a priority “Zero Coda” checkout lane for accessibility, and autism-friendly relaxation areas (AUTopia Project). Reserved parking spaces are available by reservation through August 30.
• Helpful tip: There are no ATMs in Castiglione d’Otranto; we recommend bringing cash with you before you arrive.

For the detailed program, workshop registration, and booking contact information, visit casadelleagriculture.com or the association’s official pages.