The Night of the Giants
Mata and Grifone dance through the streets of Polistena
Music and Dance
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On Sunday 13 July 2025, Polistena will become the beating heart of Calabrian folk traditions with the sixteenth edition of The Night of the Giants, an event that attracts enthusiasts, curious visitors and families from across the region every year.
The stars of the show are Mata and Grifone, the Giants who symbolise a legendary tale rooted in the collective memory of Calabria: she, proud and regal, is the indigenous queen; he, imposing and mysterious, is the Saracen who arrived from the sea. Over three metres tall, they dance among the crowd with endless twirls accompanied by hundreds of tambourine players who, with their overwhelming rhythm, mark every step, every embrace, every challenge.
The programme kicks off at 7 p.m. with the gathering of the Giants on Viale Italia, followed by a parade to Piazza della Repubblica, where they will remain on display until 9.30 p.m. From that moment on, the city comes alive with The Night of the Giants, organised by the “Arlecchino e Pulcinella” Cultural Association: music, dance, shows and traditions intertwine until the grand finale at midnight in Piazzale Trinità.
An event with a strong visual and emotional impact, which brings ancient fears and love stories back to life through a collective ritual where adults and children challenge the Giants, seeking their touch, participating in a symbolic game that celebrates the overcoming of fears and the power of popular memory.
