The event closed on Thursday 22nd December with the surprising performance of Piano a Mezz'aria Christmas in the Caves 2022, program of three unmissable events organized in the Caverna della Grave delle Castellana Caves on the occasion of the festive period, which is part of the context of Winter Squares, the extensive program of events in Castellana Grotte (Ba) scheduled from 7 December 2022 to 23 January 2023 and organized by Municipality of Castellana Grotte and the Castellana Caves srl.
Three very different events in the caves, all very popular with the public. The inaugural event, on Sunday 18 December, was Job Covatta in Recital, which entertained and at the same time made us reflect on the paradoxes of poverty and hunger of abandoned childhood, leaving the viewer with more than one bitter but true reflection. Wednesday 22 December with "Giuliano Sangiorgi sings the Stars", the voice of Negramaro, alternating between piano and guitar and accompanied by Raffaele Casarano, thrilled in a live performance that retraced the stages of his artistic development, interpreting the songs of the best Italian and international singer-songwriters, who were able to guide him as Stars along the path of his (and not only) musical growth, thus influencing his imagination and his poetics. Closing the events, on Thursday 22 December, was Bruno Montrone in Mid-Air Plan, a stunning aerial performance that left the audience speechless, everyone peering into the depths of the earth to admire a unique concert and be transported by the piano notes. Also performing with him in the Caverna della Grave were Serena Grittani and Gianfranco Menzella.
Christmas in the Caves was organized by Grotte di Castellana with the patronage of the Municipality of Castellana Grotte, a project carried out in collaboration with Pugliapromozione WeAreinPuglia, the Regional Tourism Agency, Teatro Pubblico Pugliese – FSC Funds 2014/2020 Pact for Puglia “Strategic tourism plan Puglia365 communication and promotion of the destination and the tourism product”.
“Giobbe Covatta, Giuliano Sangiorgi, and the magic of Piano a mezz'aria have highlighted how Christmas in the Caves has once again become a defining feature, both in terms of entertainment and tourism, not only for Castellana, but also for the entire area. – highlighted the mayor of Castellana Grotte Domi Ciliberti We are convinced that a program of this kind, part of the Piazze d'Inverno program, can serve as an extraordinary promotion for both the karst site and the entire city of Castellana. I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make Natale delle Grotte a success. These three wonderful events have once again shone a national spotlight on our city and our splendid underground complex.
“Christmas in the Caves 2022 comes to a close with Bruno Montrone's astonishing aerial performance in Piano a Mezz'aria, following Giobbe Covatta's entertaining show and Giuliano Sangiorgi's thrilling live performance. – underlined the president Francesco Manghisi, who together with the vice president Margherita Costante and to the councillor Monica di Monte Grotte di Castella srl is part of the Board of Directors – Three different shows for three different audiences, which met with the hoped-for success and helped enhance and expand the already diverse offerings of the Castellana Caves. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Grotte di Castellana srl, I would like to thank everyone who made this initiative a success.
With Christmas in the Caves now closed, the events included in the extensive Winter Squares program continue in the city center and at the Castellana Caves. In fact, the appointment with the Living Nativity Inside the caves, a one-of-a-kind performance takes place 70 meters underground. A one-kilometer-long trail with over 100 participants in period costumes relives the Nativity and a meticulously reconstructed Bethlehem amidst caves, stalactites, and stalagmites. Six events are scheduled: December 28 and 29, 2022, and January 4, 5, 7, and 8, 2023. Opening hours are 18:00 PM to 20:30 PM, with group entrances every 15 minutes. Tickets are available at the Castellana Grotte ticket office. The Living Nativity Scene is promoted by UNPLI Puglia APS and the Pro Loco Castellana Grotte "Don Nicola Pellegrino" with Grotte di Castellana srl and the Municipality of Castellana Grotte, and is curated by director Lucio Giordano and set designer Rafox.
More information on all the Christmas events here: https://linktr.ee/piazzedinverno, on the official websites www.comune.castellanagrotte.ba.it e www.grottedicastellana.it and on the social media channels of the Municipality of Castellana Grotte, Grotte di Castellana, and Visit Castellana Grotte.
