ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Caloma Festival: A New Cultural Festival Dedicated to Weaving in Puglia

festival-fair · 2026-04-26

The inaugural Caloma Festival is set to occur from July 26 to 28 in Uggiano La Chiesa, a quaint agricultural village located in Salento, Puglia. This event is part of the Casamassella – Borgo delle Tessitrici initiative, which seeks to rejuvenate and safeguard the ancient weaving practices passed down through generations of women. Named after 'Caloma,' a traditional fishing method involving a small raft tethered to the land by a thread, the festival showcases performances, music, food, and an art segment called 'Spaesamenti,' curated by Francesca Guida. This segment features site-specific works from artists including Elena Bellantoni, Luca Coclide, and others, emphasizing deep listening and community engagement with the local weavers from Le Costantine.

Key facts

  • First edition of Caloma Festival in Uggiano La Chiesa, Puglia
  • Dates: July 26-28, 2024
  • Part of Casamassella – Borgo delle Tessitrici project
  • Art section 'Spaesamenti' curated by Francesca Guida
  • Participating artists: Elena Bellantoni, Luca Coclide, Luigi Coppola, Giuseppe De Mattia, Iginio De Luca, Guendalini Salini, Delphine Valli, Muta Imago
  • Works include 'Or_dite', 'Segnavento', 'Tavole della Maddalena', 'LOROS', 'La Terra del reincarnato', 'Blu Dinamite'
  • Festival includes performances, music, cuisine, and art
  • Focus on weaving tradition and community engagement

Entities

Artists

  • Elena Bellantoni
  • Luca Coclide
  • Luigi Coppola
  • Giuseppe De Mattia
  • Iginio De Luca
  • Guendalina Salini
  • Delphine Valli
  • Muta Imago
  • Francesca Guida

Institutions

  • Caloma Festival
  • Casamassella – Borgo delle Tessitrici
  • Le Costantine
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Uggiano La Chiesa
  • Salento
  • Puglia
  • Italy
  • Otranto
  • Valle dell'Idro

Sources