Colors of Bastia - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Local people are easy-going and laid-back. They are friendly and appreciate when others also treat them that way. Tourists in Bastia are recommended to stay calm and do not irritate when, for example, two drivers block a road while having a chat. Corsica is an island of music and art. Various cultural festivals and events are very frequent there. These events can be different in scale, from small meetings organized by enthusiasts to large international events.

Tourists, who want to listen to authentic music of the region, should attend a concert of traditional polyphonic music. Once almost forgotten, Corsica’s polyphonic music has become very popular in recent years. Groups of three or four people sing a cappella or with an accompaniment of strings, percussion or flute. Singers use voice as a musical instrument, and everyone has his own role. Some sing the melody, some provide the bass, and so on. Just like the rest of Corsica, Bastia is home to many interesting landmarks, ancient buildings, and museums with many precious artifacts.

Bastia has a number of holidays, many of which are national, such as Labour Day on May 1 or World Music Day on June 21. The latter is a very popular holiday in Corsica as there are always free concerts across the island. In Bastia, it is possible to hear music on that day simply on the streets of the town. However, tourists keen on music are recommended to visit the town in the period from July to September as that is the time for Bastia in Festa. During these months, the calm and peaceful town turns into a merry place when fun seems to never stop. Several stages are open in different parts of the town, and different music bands come to perform there. In total, during the 90-day long festival, visitors can attend 90 music concerts! But that is not all as there are always many stage shows, exhibitions, meetings, and other events that are no less interesting to attend. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

On July 14 whole France celebrates Bastille Day. This is a national holiday that celebrates the French Revolution and the end of the privileges of the aristocracy. As a rule, there are always various festive events in Bastia that usually include concerts, various parties, dancing areas, and more. The holiday ends with beautiful fireworks that light up the evening skies of the town. On August 15, the nation celebrates another famous holiday – Assumption Day. As a rule, there are always religious processions and ceremonies on the streets of the town.

Corsica is a Catholic island and Bastia is no exception. That is why religious festivals and holidays are extremely important for local people. Holy Week and Easter are, without a doubt, the most celebrated holidays. In addition to traditional processions, this is the time when tourists can hear the traditional Corsican polyphonic singing. Of course, Bastia has much more to offer to its guests. If you happen to visit the town at the beginning of April, you will witness Festival of Comic Strips & Cartoons. The four-day long festival attracts best illustrators from all parts of Europe, as well as talented cartoonists. They exhibit their latest works in the Place St. Nicholas, so it is hard to miss such a colorful and exciting event.

Fans of sports may be excited to attend Tour de Corse that takes place on the island at the end of May. The 700+ kilometer long cycling race covers all main towns of the island, such as Bonifacio, St. Florent, Calvi, Solenzara, Bastia, Porto & Piana, Corte, and Ajacco that is the starting and finishing point of the race. Of course, these are not all festivals that take place on the island. Nearby towns regularly host all kinds of events – food and art festivals, Celebration of Corsican Cheese, Tennis Tour in Porto Vecchio, various fish and seafood events, festivals dedicated to different genres of music, horse fairs, wine festivals, guitarist competitions, olive and olive oil producing related events, Film Festival in Lama, and many more.