IL “FESTIVAL OF NATURAL WELL-BEING 4 PROVINCES”, A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE OF CONNECTION BETWEEN BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MUNICIPALITY OF BOBBIO AND THE MONTANA COMMUNITY, SATURDAY 22 AND SUNDAY 23 JUNE
Immersed in the regenerating embrace of the Trebbia and Luretta valleys, in the Piacenza Apennines (see cover photo), the Natural Wellbeing Festival 4 Provinces aims to create a unique experience of connection between body, mind and spirit.
In collaboration with the Municipality of Bobbio and the Mountain Community, the event celebrates the harmony between man and nature, through a rich program of activities ranging from yoga to meditation, from herbal medicine to the water ceremony under the full moon of summer solstice
The magic of the Festival: a rich and varied programme
The festival takes place on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June, among the welcoming and historic valleys that embrace the provinces of Piacenza.
Organized in collaboration with therapists, producers and local institutions, the event brings together experts and enthusiasts of holistic wellbeing (they consider mind and body as two entities closely linked to each other).
In line with the definition ofWorld Health Organizationaccording to which health is understood as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, therefore aims to promote prevention methodologies that are based on traditional and natural practices.
Saturday 22 June. During the first day, you can participate in various sessions: from trekking naturalistic, cultural-gastronomic to meditation practices, yoga, Ayurveda and stress management techniques. We also talk about ecology, herbal practices and nutrition. The picturesque market in Piazza Duomo in Bobbio acts as a backdrop.
An exciting evening
In the evening, the magic of the drum circle and the water ceremony along the Trebbia river, a tributary of the Po, under the light of the full moon of the summer solstice, will provide an exciting immersive experience. What do these ancient practices consist of?
The Drum Circle
The drumming ceremony is an ancient practice deeply rooted in many shamanic cultures. The circle represents union and completeness and, through the synchronized beats of the membraphones, decorated by hand with spiritual symbols, a flow of energy is created that unites the group and connects with the universal rhythm.
As the rhythm of the drums grows, participants enter a meditative state of expanded and harmonic consciousness. It is therefore a time to receive answers to one’s inner questions, to grow as a community and to experience both individual and collective regeneration.
The practice is simple and accessible to all, but requires some fundamental conditions such as centering, openness, acceptance, sharing and respect.
Often, the drum circle is accompanied by songs and dances that amplify the collective energy. These additional elements allow participants to freely express emotions and sensations, creating a cathartic and liberating experience.
The water ceremony and the summer solstice
In conjunction with the drum circle, you can participate in the evocative water ceremony along the Trebbia river. For the occasion, the banks are adorned with flowers, stones and lit candles and lanterns, thus creating an enchanting atmosphere.
The ceremony then begins with purification rituals, immersing the hands or feet in the waves, while the spiritual guide raises songs and invocations to recall the spirit of the water.
Afterwards, prayers or personal intentions can be formulated, thanking the sacred element for its life and energy, through symbolic offerings, such as flowers, petals and other natural substances. These gestures symbolize our connection with nature and the importance of preserving water resources.
The ritual ends with a moment of silence and reflection, so as to allow participants to internalize the experience, followed by a sharing of thoughts and feelings, which strengthens the sense of community and connection.
The strength of the full moon of the Summer Solstice
The choice to hold these ceremonies during the full moon of the summer solstice is not accidental. This time of year is loaded with both spiritual and esoteric meaning. In fact, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. It is a period of abundance, renewal, growth and personal transformation, celebrated since the dawn of time by various cultures.
Stonehenge in England is, for example, famous for its solstitial alignment, where the rising sun fits perfectly between the stones, creating a spectacular light phenomenon.
Newgrange in Ireland, an ancient burial mound, allows sunlight into the inner chamber only during the summer solstice. These sites were and still are places of spiritual pilgrimage, where people gather to celebrate and absorb solar energy.
Increased exposure to sunlight also positively affects our physical and mental well-being. Sunlight is associated with the Manipura, or solar plexus chakra, which governs our personal power, will and life energy. During the solstice, meditation and yoga practice can be especially effective in balancing and strengthening this chakra.
A day of lessons, workshops and seminars in the “SEVA” spirit
On Sunday 23 June, from 9 in the morning until 9 in the evening, the Municipal Library and the Santa Chiara Auditorium host various events (lessons-workshops-seminars).
Each activity is designed to promote knowledge and deepening of individual and social well-being, in the spirit of SEVA, a Sanskrit term that
indicates a selfless favor, performed without expectation of reward. This practice, fundamental in many mystical and spiritual traditions, reflects the philosophy of the festival: serving others to serve the entire community and the universe.
A unique opportunity, just a smile away, to learn or consolidate
millennial practices that are increasingly current and modern.