In the early hours of the morning, the women of our tiny little town nestled in the mountains of Campania in Torrioni, the province of Avellino, work tirelessly to prepare the fusilli that will be sold at the Annual Sagra which takes place this Friday through Sunday. So what exactly is this Sagra? For us in Torrioni, this annual event showcases the local delicacies of our region, such as the handmade pasta, the porchetta (roasted pork) sandwiches and finally Greco di Tufo which is the local white wine that is typically served here in this part of Italy. 
But it’s not just about food, because at the heart of this feast is paying homage to our patron saint of San Michele Arcangelo and also to celebrate Sant’Antonio di Padova to which many families here are devout.
On Friday night the streets of Torrioni will be illuminated by the decorative lights that are already being put up on the poles. The usual quiet little town comes alive with people from all over to take part in the festivities. For those of us who have immigrated to other parts of the world and even within Italy and Europe it is not uncommon for us to come specifically for this event. Not only is it a way for us to celebrate the summer but it is a reunion of family and friends to come together. It is the time in which we see all those that we grew up seeing every summer. Friends and families sit at endless tables and share in the joy of the nights and the good food and company.
We wait anxiously for tomorrow night when the music echoes in the streets and the people dance a combination of old folk music with new music. We enjoy the work of the locals who have all come together to help make the fusilli, the sauce, prepare the porchetta and so many other local grown foods that we enjoy typically of this region.
I look forward to Sunday the most, the day of the procession, an old world tradition that despite the changes and times, this new generation holds onto honoring our ancestors and patron saints. In years past the men of our town would take turns carrying the saints through the streets of Torrioni where the priest would lead everyone in a procession and bring blessings to all homes. Today, with the sweltering heat it becomes more difficult and so for some years now, the saints are carefully placed on a tractor and slowly driven through the town while we follow behind.
At the end of each night the fireworks light up the starlit skies letting everyone in neighboring towns aware of our feast. It is the perfect end to an already beautiful celebration of the rich Italian tradition and culture.
By Diana M. Zoino
Torrioni, Avellino
My love for Italy began when I moved to Rome for my junior and senior years of high school. I attended an international school, where the city became a classroom for learning about ancient Roman ruins, Baroque architecture, and Renaissance painters. There was history to be unearthed on every street corner. I loved learning by interacting with people, trying new foods, and practicing my Italian language skills every day. I also lived in Rome in the midst of the pandemic, and because the city was quiet with very few tourists, I got to know locals and visited museums without the crowds. Despite the difficulty the pandemic caused, Rome’s unique culture and atmosphere shone through. I recently returned to Rome, and it was nostalgic to be there as a tourist instead of a resident. I spent time going back to each of my favorite places—coffee bars, my high school, Isola Tiberina for a picnic by the river, and restaurants where my family had befriended the owners. Visiting Rome renewed my desire to live and work there in the future.
