Notte dei Grani (Night of the Grains)

La Notte dei Grani in Villa Baldassarri, a hamlet of Guagnano, is an event dedicated to celebrating the culture of bread, ancient grains, and community ovens—historic pillars of village social life. The town center's streets transform into an itinerary that highlights the deep bond between food, rural heritage, and the Salento territory, turning bread into a symbol of gathering and shared identity. The culinary offerings cover traditional baking classics and regional specialties: friselle, puccia matassarrese, panino cegliese, meatballs in tomato sauce served with rustic bread, roast meats paired with multigrain, turmeric, or vegetable charcoal bread, cured meat and cheese platters with durum wheat and rye bread, octopus sandwiches, fried fish, and seasonal fruit from local growers. The evening program features sourdough baking workshops exploring traditional techniques, alongside live music, street performers, shows, talks, and local craft exhibitions. A highlight of the festival is the symbolic lighting of the community oven, honoring the historic role of shared village bakeries.