Barbarica - Celtic Festival

Returns "BARBARICA" – A journey through Celtic culture, between myth, history, and nature

The wait is over: on Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, the green area and the covered tensile structure of the multifunctional center on Via Verdi will host the fourth edition of "Barbarica," the great Celtic festival that has become one of the most original and engaging events in the region over the years.

The 2026 edition promises to be the most spectacular and innovative ever, thanks to a rich program of historical reenactments, cultural activities, live music, gastronomy, and entertainment for all ages.

The heart of the event will be the extraordinary reenactment of a particular Celtic ceremony that will take shape during the day on Saturday, through a traveling theatrical representation that will start in the afternoon with the reconstruction of a historical backdrop and culminate in the evocative evening ceremony.

Making the experience even more immersive will be internationally renowned historical reenactment groups. Among the most anticipated guests is "Il Popolo di Brig," a group active for over 25 years in the promotion of Celtic history. Also present will be the "Cohors III Praetoria," just returned from one of the largest ancient historical reenactments in Europe, which took place in the Roman amphitheater of Nîmes, France, with over 500 participants.

The Celts "Chotios" and "Reithe" will also showcase everyday life during the Iron Age through faithful field reconstructions, while the "Legio VIII Augusta" will take visitors on a journey into the Roman world with educational activities dedicated to gladiatorial art, frescoes, Roman mosaics, and realistic historical dioramas. The "Okelum" will also be present, an example of Romanized Celtic culture.

There will also be a significant focus on cultural insights. During the weekend, conferences will be held on musical instruments from the Iron Age and the Celtic ceremony that is the highlight of the event. Michela Franceschini will guide the audience in discovering the role of dogs among the Celts, sharing historical curiosities and mysteries of the canine world.

Accompanying every moment of the festival will be the Cisalvikings, an Italian band capable of blending medieval folk, Celtic music, and Nordic sounds with powerful and engaging rhythms. Their concerts and animations will serve as the soundtrack for the two days, also supporting the participants in the Celtic games open to all.

On Sunday morning, there will also be the much-anticipated "Coscrittiadi 2026," the traditional competitions that attract large participation and audiences every year.

The gastronomic offering is also rich: the kitchen will remain open for the entire duration of the event with sandwiches, Gallic culinary specialties, and alternative proposals designed to satisfy all tastes, prepared by an experienced and passionate staff.

On Sunday afternoon, after lunch, the audience will be engaged in a workshop of Irish and Northern European dances led by Elisa D'Alessandro, a key figure in traditional Irish dance in Italy. A fun and participatory moment open to all, where the motto will be simple: "the more we are, the more we enjoy."

The event will conclude on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. with the traditional farewell from the clans and guests, marking the end of a weekend that promises to transport Sondalo back in time, between history, traditions, and a spirit of sharing.

PROGRAM
Saturday, May 23
10:00 a.m. Opening of the Celtic market, start of educational activities at the historical fields. Opening of refreshment with bar, grill, and sandwich shop, Celtic games open to all, free trials for the coscrittiadi
12:00 p.m. Opening of the Gallic kitchen
2:00 p.m. Entertainment for children, workshops. Rugby introduction for everyone with "Rugby Sondalo"
3:00 p.m. Conference "Music Among the Celts in the Iron Age" by the historical group Il Popolo Di Brig
4:30 p.m. Historical representation "The Council"
5:00 p.m. Historical representation: "Meeting with the Romans"
5:30 p.m. Conference "The Celts and Death. Funeral Rites in the Gallic World" by Dr. Gioal Canestrelli
6:30 p.m. Historical representation "The Battle"
7:00 p.m. Banquet opening
9:30 p.m. Fire shows with KEROL
10:00 p.m. Historical representation: "THE FIRE OF THE HERO" Reenactment of an Iron Age funeral pyre
11:00 p.m. CISALVIKINGS Celtic Folk in concert

Sunday, May 24
10:00 a.m. Opening of the Celtic market, start of educational activities at the historical fields. Opening of refreshment with bar, grill, and sandwich shop. Celtic games valid for the "Coscrittiadi 2026"
10:30 a.m. Conference "The Dog in History" by Michela Franceschini
12:00 p.m. Kitchen opening
2:00 p.m. Historical representation: "THE SALUTE OF THE ALPS"
3:00 p.m. Workshop of Irish and Northern European dances with Elisa D'Alessandro
4:00 p.m. Celtic jam session bring your instrument, let’s play together!
6:00 p.m. Clan farewells, closing

INFO:

• for lunches and dinners, reservation recommended by the day before at Infopoint APT Sondalo (Tel. 0342 8018816 - email: info.sondalo@sondalo.eu)