Tumact me Tulez: Barile celebrates thirty years of flavour, memories and Aglianico

There are dishes that tell the story of a region even before you taste them. In Barile, one such dish has a name that embodies language, memory and a sense of belonging: Tumact me Tulez.

Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October 2026 The Arbëreshë village in the Vulture area is once again celebrating it with the 30th edition of the “Tumact Me Tulez’ Festival of Excellence and the Vulture Aglianico and Local Produce Festival”, organised by Pro Loco Barile.

Two days to discover the Vulture region through one of its most authentic aspects: its cuisine. But also its wine, its wineries, its folk music, its crafts and the stories of a community that continues to identify with its traditions.

The flavour of a community

The main character is, of course, the Tumact me Tulez, a dish that epitomises the Italian-Albanian community in Barile, recognised as a Traditional Agri-Food Product (PAT) and part of Basilicata’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The recipe is based on simple ingredients and that ability – typical of home cooking – to transform them into something that lingers in the memory: fresh pasta, tomatoes, anchovies, walnuts and a generous helping of crispy fried breadcrumbs.

During the festival, the dish will also be prepared in the square by the chefs Daniele Bracuto e Franco Nastasia, whilst a cookery demonstration with the chef is scheduled for Sunday Giuseppe Sciaraffa.

There could be no more regional wine to accompany it than the’Aglianico del Vulture PDO, presented at a tasting event with the AIS Basilicata sommeliers. From Largo Garibaldi to Piazza Dalla Chiesa, the historic centre will also become a journey through typical local produce and the finest culinary delights of Basilicata.

Not just at the table

The 30th edition broadens its focus to include the cultural heritage of Barile and the Vulture area. The programme combines concerts, folklore, exhibitions, photography, talks, excursions and street entertainment throughout the town.

On Saturday 3 October, the official opening is scheduled for 6.00 pm in the council chamber, with a session dedicated to “Vulture: Italian City of Wine 2026/2027 and the Pasolini Wineries Urban Park – a blend of tradition, innovation and development”.

The link between Barile and Pier Paolo Pasolini is also evident in “Visionary Barile”, featuring images from the Notarangelo Archive and the Bologna Film Archive. At the Pro Loco headquarters, visitors will be able to view “Mystical Lucania”, a photography exhibition by Giovanni Marino, alongside exhibitions dedicated to local artists.

The evening will continue in the streets and squares with the Bassa Musica Armonia Molfettese, the historical group Carmine Crocco 1830, Ciccio Moretti Live and a folk concert by Accipiter.

A Sunday spent exploring Barile and the Vulture

On Sunday 4 October, the day begins at 9.00 am, with the landscape also taking centre stage. The programme includes a hike up Mount Vulture with nature guide Leonardo Mecca and a walk in the Pasolini’s Wine Cellars Urban Park accompanied by the tour guide Rossana Saracino.

From 11.00, the programme of events returns to the village with the launch of Anna Giammetta’s book *Come in un Film* and a cookery demonstration in Piazza Dalla Chiesa. Lunch will then turn into a celebration featuring accordion, organetto and traditional folk music, with Giovanni & Antonello and the folk group La Pacchianella.

Other events on the day included “The Life We Sing – Songs and Stories from Mina’s World”. The event is due to finish at 10.00 pm in Largo Garibaldi, near the Fontana dello Steccato.

A destination to savour

Thirty years is a milestone, but above all it speaks to the enduring power of a tradition.

Tumact me Tulez is not just a recipe to be rediscovered once a year. This dish embodies the Arbëreshë heritage, home cooking, the produce of the land and a way of being together. All around, there is a countryside to explore at a leisurely pace and the Vulture region which, with its Aglianico wines, stunning scenery and ancient cellars, continues to hold surprises.

On 3 and 4 October, this time, the destination is Barile.

Admission to the event is free and it is organised with the support of the Basilicata Region as part of the ’Intangible Cultural Heritage Operation 2026“. There will also be a free parking area for campervans. For further information: Pro Loco Barile, 348 5664750 – prolocobarile@gmail.com.