LUIGI CHIRIATTI, RESEARCHER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE TRAVELING FESTIVAL NOTTE DELLA TARANTA, LEAVES US.

Luigi Chiriatti passed away this afternoon. His wife Marisa Palermo and children Salvatore, Anna, Giovanni, Francesca, Fabio and Paolo made the sad announcement. The 70-year-old, who had been admitted to Tricase's Cardinal Giovanni Panico Hospital following the worsening of his health condition, had undergone emergency surgery. Despite the efforts of the medical staff to ensure a full recovery, he failed to make it through post-surgery.

Luigi for decades devoted himself to research in the field of Salento folk traditions. After recording in 1977 with the Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino the record Canti di terra d'Otranto e della Grecìa salentina, he founded and militated in important groups re-proposing popular music: the Canzoniere di Terra d'Otranto and Aramirè. He has edited and published numerous works on tarantismo, music and popular culture of Salento. Most notably, Love Bites. Viaggio nel tarantismo Salentino, (Capone 1995) and Terra Rossa d'Arneo (Kurumuny 2017).

He has held numerous institutional positions as a member of the scientific committee CIGI - Comitato Italiano Gioco Infantile; president of the cultural association "Ernesto de Martino-Salento"; of artistic direction: festival "Canti di Passione" from 2003 to 2009 and 2014; of teaching activities and scientific advice.

In 2002 he founded the Kurumuny publishing house, and from 2015 he was artistic director of the "La Notte della Taranta" festival and scientific director of the "Diego Carpitella" Institute.

The funeral chamber will be set up at Villa Betania in Tricase, and the funeral will be held tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Palazzo Marchesale in Melpignano.