Each year more events are added to the calendar, so this section highlights the most popular. Keep your eyes open for posters or ask the local tourist office for more information.
The fêtes are the highlight of the village social scene and usually all the villagers and their families become involved in the celebrations and welcome visitors to participate and tour their village. There is nearly always an artisan market, with stalls scattered along the narrow streets that provide ideal opportunities to find an unusual gift or trinket to take back home. It is also an excellent opportunity to get a taste of local village hospitality, as there will always be refreshment stalls and places where you can sample some of the local specialities produced in the traditional manner.
There is a publication, the 'guide des manifestations culturelles' which gives listings of all the events but this is sadly invariably produced at the last minute, which often means certain events have passed before it becomes available. It is difficult to get global information of the events planned for the whole year, so look out for posters and ask at the local tourist offices. The majority of Corsican festivals take place in the summer months when the concerts can be held in the open air.
Here are some local events and festivals:
Religious Events:
March
Fete de Paques: procession des Cinq Confréries - Bonifacio
The members of the Cinq Confréries march in a procession through the town and all meet in the parish church where they receive the blessing of the Sainte Croix relic insignia.
August
Notre Dame des Neiges - Bavella
Pilgrimage of Notre Dame des Neiges takes place in a magnificent pine forest at the foot of the famous ‘Aiguilles de Bavella’, 10 km from the village of Zonza.
September
Fete de la Nativite de la Vierge - Bonifacio
Stuffed aubergines ‘a la Bonifacienne’ are prepared and distributed amongst the people attending the ceremony of this religious feast.
Country Fairs:
March
Festa di L’alivu Novu - Sainte Lucie de Tellano
Large new olive oil market with visits to olive mills and demonstrations of cooking with olive oil.
June
Foire de Porto Vecchio - Porto Vecchio
Traditional artisan fair.
Cultural Events:
June
Lumieres de Toscane - Porto Vecchio
Lyrical concerts, parades, theatrical representations, art exhibitions, arts and crafts, cinematography and workshops for schoolchildren. This event is held in three places: cultural centre, bastion de France and the narrow streets of the town.
Journées Médiévales - Bonifacio
A variety of mediaeval entertainment and exhibitions.
September
Mosaicales du Rire de Porto Vecchio - Porto Vecchio
A new event for the ‘City of Salt’. The Tourist Office and Philippe Delmas Productions, the organisers, wanted to create a major event welcoming both famous French comedians and up-and-coming artists as well as celebrities to entertain - All under the theme of laughter.
Sporting Events:
September
Defi Inter-Isles - Bonifacio
Supporting the Corsican windsurf championships, this competition will see some hundred windsurfers from all corners of the world participating.
October
Le Tour de Corse à la Voile - Bonifacio
The Tour de Corse à la Voile is a regatta from Bonifacio to Bonifacio, 250 nautical miles non-stop, organised by the Bonifacio Yacht Club, under the auspices of the Fédération Française de voile and the Ligue Corse de voile.
