Translated and adapted with permission from an article by Lorenzo Blascetta on Guideslow
When Lorenzo Blascetta first saw an ad on social media in 2016 for the inaugural CVTà Street Fest, he immediately realized it would be something different from the usual local events, which typically focus on the cultural traditions of the towns hosting them. While he knew he loved festive rituals rooted in a community’s history and folklore, the CVTà Street Fest offered the chance to experience an alternative kind of event—the sort usually found in big cities, not in a tiny village.
Lorenzo went to Civitacampomarano alone on the festival’s opening day; no one wanted to join him, and no one believed him when he said it was worth checking out that evening. Indeed, there were very few people in the square: just Lorenzo, the artists, the staff, and a handful of other visitors listening to the legendary DJ Gruff spinning records from a balcony overlooking the piazza. Fortunately, things changed—both in the days that followed and, more importantly, over the years. Since then, ever-growing numbers of people have flocked to Civitacampomarano to admire the stunning artworks created on the walls of the village homes.
The story of the CVTà Street Fest began with Alice Pasquini, a world-renowned Italian street artist, and Ylenia Carelli. Ylenia decided to contact Alice about creating some artworks, and Alice agreed. But, as in all the best stories, there was a romantic element, too: for Alice, Civitacampomarano wasn’t just any village—it was the birthplace of one of her grandfathers. She had already begun expressing her art on the walls and doors of the historic center when, in 2016, she decided to dedicate more time to street art by inviting other international artists to join her.
And so, the CVTà Street Fest was born. Over the years, the festival has gained unexpected renown—especially beyond the region—by hosting numerous famous artists and introducing new activities that have enriched the event. These range from street food featuring local specialties to board games and children’s events, as well as the signature “Wall Tour”: a guided walk that takes visitors to discover the artworks scattered throughout the village.
Alice also partnered with Molise Italian Studies in February 2025 to host a special workshop for students from the American International School, Riyadh. As part of their Week Without Walls program, students had the opportunity to be active protagonists and leave their story on the walls of Civitacampomarano.
Today, Civitacampomarano attracts tourists year-round. Thanks to the CVTà Street Fest, it has become one of the best-known and most visited villages in Molise, distinguished by the warmth and professionalism of its hospitality. Furthermore, the CivitArt association manages “Casa Cuoco,” a holiday home situated at the foot of the castle in the birthplace of the renowned local historian and jurist Vincenzo Cuoco.
Civitacampomarano is recapturing the prominence of its past, when its strategic location made it vital to the surrounding area. It is fighting tenaciously against local challenges—such as a lack of services and depopulation—in a completely unconventional way: not through foreign investors, major construction projects, or pouring new concrete, but by adding color to the concrete that is already there. All this is happening thanks to art and the strength of a community that continues to welcome artists and visitors from around the world, having fully embraced a unique approach to tourism.
This year’s festival takes place June 27-28.