The Festival of Saint Anna on Ischia's event list

When white-framed cornices appear attached to town lamp-posts and fireworks echo at sunrise, then time is ripe for an traditional southern Italy festival. On the island of Ischia, near Naples, festival celebrations pay homage to patron saints and the calendar is speckled with unusual annual events, such as the historic medieval costume parade of Saint Alessandro in August, or the race between Jesus, Mary, St John and the angel at Easter through the town of Forio.

Two of the island's biggest cultural events though are the Festival of Saint Anna and the traditional performance of the dance of Buonopane, the 'Ndrezzata.

Held towards the end of July at Ischia Ponte, the Festival of Saint Anna is a parade of boats in the water stretch below the Aragon Castle. Boats are decorated months in advance and present special aspects of local life and history with a choreographed performance on festival night.

As the sun sets, a swimming race determines who leads the water parade and both crowd and judges have their say before prizes are awarded and a fireworks display explodes from the castle to complete this well-loved island event.

In a very different way the dance of the 'Ndrezzata derives from a specific episode in the island's history and is maintained through strong cultural identity.

The dance's origin began in the universal tale of two men fighting over a woman, where the whole population of neighbouring towns were dragged into the brawl. Over time a peace settlement was reached and the dance celebrates this event. The 'Ndrezzata's costumes, lyrics and movements are all symbolic elements of the story and only fathers and sons of Buonopane, one of the protagonist towns, are allowed to perform this traditional folk dance, its secrets and skill handed down through strict local rules.

The 'Ndrezzata is famous around the island and now features in most of Ischia's cultural events, but its traditional show is that of Easter Monday in its home town of Buonopane. The rhythmic, picturesque performance, in traditional costume and using wooden swords as weapons and musical instruments, is a special island spectacle.