Second Festival delle Candele at Castello Svevo

About a month ago, the second installment of the Festival delle Candele at the Svevo Castle in Cosenza took place. Last year’s event was an incredible success, so much so, that they decided to do it again this year!

The castle in Cosenza, which sits on a hilltop overlooking the city below, is beautiful both day and night! But, let’s be honest, there is nothing more enchanting than a stroll through an ancient castle completely lit up with candles. The magical ambience of the evening was set in motion right from the very beginning.

As you entered the castle you were greeted by a mesmerizing fire dancer dressed in black and white, reminiscent of a music box dancer.

She gracefully danced along to the romantic music of two harpists from the Conservatory of Music in Cosenza. It was the perfect way to set the tone for this beautiful event.

Once inside the castle, we headed towards the Sala del Ricevimento first passing by the Cisterna Santa Barbara where Fausto Scirchio of Scirchiof Photography welcomed guests to take photos using only candlelight. These artistic photos were later uploaded to the festival event page on Facebook.

Sala del Ricevimento/Salla della Principessa

We made our way to the Sala del Ricevimento also known as the Sala Del Caminetto. On display were works by artists Christian Cosentino, Dino Pellegrino, Sonia Genoese.

Piramide by Dino Pellegrino & Sonia Genoese

As well as this elaborate piece by Cristina D’Alia entitled Fluctum Ignis. It represents the eternal conflict between water and fire.

At the far end of the room there is a door, that takes you to the Sala della Principessa where spectators stood around a checker board illuminated with candles. The game invited visitors to play, but no one seemed brave enough to make the first move.

Sala Delle Armi

Passing through the large Courtyard we head to the Sala Delle Armi. Inside was an artistic light installation.

As the end of the room a small doorway leads you into the Torre Ottoganale. The small candles tucked into the crevices of the ancient walls of the castle lead us to an opening and up on a pedestal we came face to face with…..Yoda.

Yes, Star Wars Yoda! I don’t want to knock Star Wars and I understand that Solo was a big film this year, and although the light saber fights in the dark rooms of the castles were interesting, I don’t really feel it was in line with the theme of this festival.

Sala del Trono

As we entered the Sala del Trono, we were greeted with a seemingly never-ending shadow screen that depicted various scenes. The installation entitled “Riflessi di Ombre” by Flo Marino was one of my favorites. I especially liked the vintage circus scene and, of course the Cinderella scene.

The Terraces

After exploring the main floor of the castle, we made our way up upstairs. This year, the terrace wasn’t has lit up and lively as it was in the previous edition. But, the views of Cosenza from this vantage point is magnificent.

Courtyard

In the Courtyard, the chefs from Maccaroni Chef Academy were cooking up pasta and panini for a small fee. We enjoyed a delicious sandwich and washed it down with a glass of delicious local wine while listening to an interesting mix of electronic, classic rock and 80s music.

Throughout the evening there were various performances in the courtyard. The first was an acrobatic dancer named Tonia Mingrone. She gracefully moved on a suspended ring accompanied by enchanting and haunting music. She had everyone’s attention.

Towards the end of the evening, we were entertained once again by Fuoco&Clownerie street artists Francesco Cane and Maria Dolores. There performance was incredible as the fire danced around and between them in perfect harmony.

Although it wasn’t as elaborate as last year’s edition, I would still say that the event was a success. The castle is always magical at night, and this type of event just adds to that.

Complimenti to the organizers: Piano B – Event Project Management

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LuLu

Originally from Toronto but currently living in Calabria, blogging about my life and love for all things Italian!

Mary
June 21, 2018 at 2:32 am

wow this looks amazing, so pretty and magical!
http://www.layersofchic.com
1. LuLu
  June 21, 2018 at 12:26 pm
  
  The photos don’t even really do justice towards the true feeling and vibe of this event!
mary jingjing lopez
June 21, 2018 at 1:09 am

I loved how the light of candles and fire bring the spirit of that festival, really looked stunning in photos how much more when you’re seeing it yourself?! Oh i’d love to be in this place.
1. LuLu
  June 21, 2018 at 12:25 pm
  
  It was really enchanting! It gives the castle a whole different vibe, I loved it! Thanks for the comment! 🙂
Dami Adeleye
June 20, 2018 at 5:08 pm

Looks like a great adventure. Love the candles and ceilings. It is a whole lot candles there. What a great content!
1. LuLu
  June 21, 2018 at 12:23 pm
  
  Thanks, it was a lot of fun and I’m so happy to be able to share this unique event with others!
Michelle Kellogg
June 20, 2018 at 12:32 pm

That looks amazing! I love candles and castles so this would be right up my alley!
1. LuLu
  June 20, 2018 at 4:15 pm
  
  It was so magical, most of the castle doesn’t have a ceiling anymore, so on top of the candles there were also the stars above. And the night time view of the city below is spectacular!
Krystin
June 19, 2018 at 9:38 pm

This looks like such a cool event! I would love to be in a castle at night haha! SO cool!
1. LuLu
  June 20, 2018 at 11:38 am
  
  It was really amazing! The castle is already so beautiful during the day, but it becomes truly magical at night! 🙂
Wanda
June 19, 2018 at 5:13 pm

I’ve never heard of this festival before. Sounds lovely and enchanting!
1. LuLu
  June 20, 2018 at 11:43 am
  
  It really is, I’m sure they’ll do another next year, I can’t wait!
Tara
June 19, 2018 at 5:10 pm

Wow this is such a cool art piece!!
1. LuLu
  June 20, 2018 at 11:47 am
  
  It’s unique, I’ve never seen anything like it and I love the idea!
Samantha
June 19, 2018 at 4:36 pm

Wow, so cool! Thanks for sharing all the photos!
1. LuLu
  June 20, 2018 at 11:55 am
  
  Thanks for stopping by and showing the blog some love!! 🙂
Felisha Brunson
June 19, 2018 at 3:54 pm

This festival looks so unique and beautiful!
1. LuLu
  June 20, 2018 at 12:01 pm
  
  It is! We really enjoyed it! 🙂
Image Earth Travel
June 15, 2018 at 7:55 pm

Enjoyed this evening with so many different enchanting candle exhibitions!
1. LuLu
  June 16, 2018 at 9:01 am
  
  It was such a unique and interesting event. I loved the castle all lit up by candles – so magical! 🙂 What was your favourite exhibition? I really loved the shadow figures!
  1. Image Earth Travel
    June 16, 2018 at 12:12 pm
    
    The castle is always stunning at night and majestic during the day.
    The shadow figures was pretty cool, especially when I decided to sneak behind the actual screen to see what was behind there…then many others did the same: ‘backstage’. When you followed me there I think your word was ‘wicked’ – pretty impressed. 🙂 I preferred this different view.
    1. LuLu
      June 16, 2018 at 7:20 pm
      
      Absolutely, you had the right idea sneaking back there – it was a completely different and amazing perspective! It may have actually been more impressive! 🙂
KareninCalabria
June 15, 2018 at 7:00 pm

Very atmospheric. It must have taken an army to set up and light all those tiny candles. I like the silhouettes, too.
1. LuLu
  June 16, 2018 at 8:58 am
  
  Haha I never thought about that! I can just picture a small group of people running around lighting candles! And then when it’s all over they have to collect them all – like an Easter Egg hunt! As a matter of fact, I was at the castle a week later and found some tea lights tucked away in some crevices!