The 35th annual Porretta Soul Festival is a gathering of soul music lovers every summer on the third week of July. In honor of Otis Redding, this year's event will return from July 20 - 23rd at Rufus Thomas Park in Porretta Terme, located deep within the breathtaking Bolognese Apennines. Come to this delightful celebration for all fans and admirers of soul music!
Graziano Uliani established Sweet Soul Music, a non-profit association dedicated to celebrating the soul genre, in 1987. Drawing upon African American music traditions and its incredible impact on modern pop music, a year later Porretta Soul Festival was born, gaining so much prestige along the way that it is now recognized as one of Europe's most celebrated events honoring both rhythm & blues and soul genres.
After visiting Macon, Georgia, to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of Otis Redding's passing, Uliani was determined to produce a festival honoring him. For more than three decades after that momentous event in 1984, many renowned names and emerging talents from soul music have come together at Porretta for an unforgettable experience. They were exposed to European audiences and made international headlines due to their sensational performances - affirming this remarkable event as a musical miracle!
For the past thirty years, Porretta Soul Festival has been indispensable in fostering soul music and showcasing Europe's Memphis Sound. Its ties to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and Center for Southern Folklore make it a crucial bridge between two cultures. This event continues to be celebrated by locals and tourists alike as one of the most influential festivals in soul music history.
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