Pacentro celebrates traditional Corsa degli Zingari festival

The town of Pacentro is celebrating its annual festivities in honor of the Madonna di Loreto, headlined by the historic Corsa degli Zingari. This secular rite, which blends faith and tradition, attracts thousands of visitors, including many Italian-Americans returning to their ancestral roots.

The celebrations included a solemn ceremony at the Monument to the Fallen, attended by civil, military, and religious authorities. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto attended the event, emphasizing the strength of traditions that maintain a sense of community belonging. Religious leaders, including Frà Javier Aguhen, spoke on the importance of memory and the sacrifice of those who died for freedom.

In addition to the traditional barefoot race, the event features various cultural initiatives. Giuseppe De Chellis, president of the Corsa degli Zingari Association, highlighted future projects such as the ‘Corsa degli Zingari Experience’ digital platform and the potential establishment of a foundation to preserve this intangible cultural heritage.