LI MATTI DI MONTECO’ al GRAN GALA’ DEL PREMIO ITALIA DANZA
On 25 September 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to midnight, at the Palariviera in San Benedetto del Tronto (AP), Italy, an entire afternoon will be dedicated to the European Folklore Day, thanks to the association Li Matti de Montecò, within the event Grand Gala of the Italia Danza Award.
The folkloric group “Li Matti de Montecò” from Montecosaro (MC) was founded in January 2007 by a group of young people driven by he desire to promote, enhance, and keep alive the popular traditions of the Marche region. Some members had previously belonged, in the 1970s and 1980s, to the renowned—now dissolved—group Val di Chienti.
The group’s name derives from an ancient local saying: “A Montecò chi non è matto non ce lo vò e chi non è matto bè, non ce lo vò pè ‘gnè”. This expression dates back to the time of the plague, when Montecosaro is said to have welcomed all evacuees within its walls. Over the years, the legend has remained alive and is still recalled whenever this affectionate nickname is mentioned.
The group is composed of around 30 members, ranging from 3 to 80 years old, and since 2009 it has been affiliated with F.I.T.P. – the Italian Federation of Popular Traditions, which includes more than 600 folkloric groups nationwide.
Their performance features music, songs, and dances from the popular tradition of the Marche region. Among all the dances in their repertoire, the one that best represents the group is undoubtedly the Saltarello, the quintessential courtship dance. The show also includes dances such as the Raspa, Pirulì, Castellana, and Gajinella. Other dances, though originating elsewhere, have long become part of the Marche tradition, such as the Quadriglia, Polka, Tarantella, Mazurka, Manfrina, and Waltz.
At 4:00 p.m., Li Matti de Montecò will hold a workshop and a folk dance performance open to the entire community, in anticipation of the evening award ceremony at 9:30 p.m., the “Italia Danza Award”, conceived by Maestro Ermanno Croce.
For the association, this will be both a formal recognition and the tangible proof of a commitment carried forward for twenty years with dedication, passion, and love for tradition. On this occasion, the values of both European and Italian folklore will be highlighted, also thanks to the participation of TED Maria Elena Chiodo.