The ‘Città dei Trulli’ Folk-Lore Company. History, Culture and Folk-Lore since 1928 The artistic and cultural program of the ”Città dei Trulli” (Alberobello), with its songs and dances, continues what was undertaken by its founder and defender.
She was Mrs Isabella Sgobba who, already in the far-off 1928, with a group of friends (mainly peasants), her inseparable tambourine and the rhythm of Pizzica Pizzica, enlivened parties, marriages, and anniversaries.
On May 1st, more than 40 members, took part, for the first time in Bari, in the “Opera Nazionale Dopolavoro” show in the presence of a Minister then in charge.
From the beginning of the Fifties till 1974, the company had as its leader the Cav Biagio Miraglia. During this period, we must draw attention to the presence in ‘il Maggio di Bari’; in Rome, in 1954, for the first year of the RAI programmers; in Turin, in 1961, in the national show for the commemoration of the first centenary of the Unity of Italy; in Lucca, in 1962, for the folk festival ‘Golden Panther’ and in International festivals in Greece, in Yugoslavia, in Belgium and in Libya.
Particular attention must be paid to the historical reproductions of work, festivity and marriage clothes worn by ballet dancers. Male dancers wore the ‘clothes’ of the ‘carter’. They, with skill and devotion, were designed and embroidered by Sebastiano D’Oria and his mother, Mrs. Antonietta Leo.
He, an accordion player, must be rewarded for creating and setting to music several scores of the company.
Subsequently, for short periods, the company was directed by Tommaso Perrini and Domenico Miccolis.
As from 1979, the President is Nino Agostino and the company has been appearing both in Italy and abroad (USA, Libya, Holland, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, England, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Spain, Bulgaria, Portugal.
The company, 30 dancers and singers, goes on exhibiting its own repertoire, all over the world. Especially, the typical fete which took place on the farm threshing-floor at the end of harvest and vintage. After long and heavy work-days farmers met to restore their spirit and strength with traditional food, wine, songs and dances.
30 children, aged 6-12, take part in the company: they are called the chicks. They are the basic reservoir which will enable the continuity, preservation and diffusion of our traditions.
The company has been organizing for more than 38 years, the first ten days in August, the International Folklore Festival “Città dei Trulli”. Every year, regularly, it assembles ethnic groups from every part of the world.
On August 10th, 2003, the Silver Medal of the President of the Republic, Mr. Azelio Ciampi, was attributed to the Company. On June 12th, 2013, it was awarded the Town Prize, “Alberobello and Its People”, with the following motivation: “to have welcomed, in the course of its 90 years of history, plenty of children of this land; to have carried out, with passion and humanity, the mission to love and keep the traditions of our people alive; and, at last, to have expressed high civic sense, in its capacity as a Club, towards our town”.
Alberobello
