Dante Alighieri Society Liverpool

On the 9th and 10th of May, we brought the vibrant energy of the Tarantella from Southern Italy to Liverpool for two unforgettable days filled with music, dance, and emotion.

At the heart of these events was Abbentu, a musical project deeply rooted in the folk traditions of Southern Italy.

“Abbentu” is a word that echoes through southern Italian dialects, carrying a dual meaning: waiting and truce. It is within this suspended space between past and present that Abbentu was born — a trio that transforms the folk music of Southern Italy into a living, powerful, and captivating force.

The group is led by Giovanna Scarfó (vocals, tambourine, and dance), Carmelo Scarfó (bass), and Alfredo Verdini (percussion, frame drums, and Calabrian lyre). Drawing on years of experience in folk and world music, Abbentu combines research, reinterpretation, and performance to preserve and share the musical and dance traditions of the South.

The three musicians also share a rich artistic journey as former members of TaranProject, led by Mimmo Cavallaro and Cosimo Papandrea — key figures in the revival of Calabrian traditional music — through which they brought Southern Italian folk culture to prestigious stages across Italy and Europe.

For these events they were joined by Mario Valero, on guitar, lira calabrese, and harmonica, while Antonia Scarfó brought her dancing, singing, and guitar to the performances.

9 May — Opening the Liverpool European Festival

On the 9th of May, Abbentu opened the Liverpool European Festival with a live performance at the fascinating St Luke’s Bombed Out Church.

This was followed by a wonderful afternoon at The Black-E, near Liverpool’s famous Chinese Arch, where the artists led a workshop structured in three parts, each dedicated to one of the great Southern Italian dance traditions: Tarantella, Pizzica, and Tammurriata.

Each session combined history, live performance, and an optional dance workshop, with short breaks in between. Participants had the chance not only to watch and listen, but also to learn and experience these traditions first-hand.

10 May — Parade and Family Workshop

On the 10th of May, Abbentu took part in the Liverpool European Festival parade, performing live in the city centre, where passers-by were invited to join in and dance along.

The celebrations concluded with a family workshop organised in collaboration with Mamma Mia Liverpool. This shorter version of the previous day’s workshop was specially adapted for families and children, creating a joyful and accessible introduction to Southern Italian music and dance.

Thank You

We would like to thank everyone who joined us and made these events so special. It was a moment of great pride for the Dante Alighieri Society of Liverpool to bring this celebration of Southern Italian culture to the city.

This project was made possible thanks to the support of the Società Dante Alighieri in Rome, whose funding made the events possible.

We would also like to thank the Comites of Manchester for co-funding the family workshop, and the organisers of the Liverpool European Festival for their invaluable support with both organisation and funding.

Above all, thank you to everyone who danced, listened, learned, and shared these moments with us.