“Gulìa Urbana” is what its called here in Mangone, Calabria in the South of Italy. Nestled in a wooded mountainous area and surrounded by agriculture and small vineyards, the festival for the roughly 1,800 inhabitants marks September as the end of summer and the beginning of harvest.

Luca Ledda. “Sarracenia Flava”. Gulìa Urbana Festival. Mangone, Calabria. Italy. (photo courtesy of Luca Ledda)

It features costumed reenactments of historical activities, tours through the snugly small winding streets, street demonstrations of the making of traditional recipes, locally produced wine, live music, performances, speeches, and of course some freshly painted murals.

“Ricoglitive !”

Turin based Street Artist Luca Ledda tells us his piece is called “Sarracenia Flava”, something he considers “the utopian relationship between humans and nature.” Aside from the fact that this is a carnivorous plant eating the sitter, you couldn’t agree more.

A character painted in a style one recognizes as Ledda’s, the artists idea of Utopia perhaps is the story of life’s cyclical nature; unless you are cremated after all our bodies will likely be consumed by plants and animals and disintegrate into the soil.

You’re welcome. Happy Monday!

Luca Ledda. “Sarracenia Flava”. Gulìa Urbana Festival. Mangone, Calabria. Italy. (photo courtesy of Luca Ledda)

Luca Ledda. “Sarracenia Flava”. Gulìa Urbana Festival. Mangone, Calabria. Italy. (photo courtesy of Luca Ledda)

Luca Ledda. “Sarracenia Flava”. Gulìa Urbana Festival. Mangone, Calabria. Italy. (photo courtesy of Luca Ledda)

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