Scapoli is renowned in Italy and abroad for its tradition of craftsmanship in bagpipe making. This pastoral instrument, known since Roman times as “Utriculus” for its air pocket, is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, handed down from generation to generation. Scapoli’s bagpipes are made from fine woods such as olive, cherry and plum, maintaining ancient and unique manufacturing techniques.
Since 1975, on the last weekend of July, the town has hosted the International Bagpipe Exhibition and Festival, a major event that attracts visitors and musicians from all over the world. This event is not only a celebration of folk music, but also an opportunity for cultural exchange and promotion of local crafts. Its importance is recognized nationally and internationally, attracting ethnomusicologists, scholars and cultural figures.
In the three-day event numerous events are scheduled. First and foremost are guided tours of the International Bagpipe Museum “P. Vecchione.” There are also seminars, conferences, workshops, music and artistic performances in the streets and squares of the town. Every evening there is a concert in the Martyrs of Bachelors Square.
During the event there are also master craftsmen’s booths and other food stands to enjoy delicious local dishes.
Thanks to this event and its tradition of craftsmanship, Scapoli is known as the “Capital of the Bagpipe,” a center of reference for popular music and Italian cultural heritage.