Walls of Italian village become climbing cliffs for 'spider-men' at Marche festival

The historic Italian town of Serra San Quirico, nestled in the Marche region's Gola della Rossa and Frasassi Natural Park, is preparing to host the 12th Frasassi Climbing Festival from August 27 to 30. This event will transform the town's ancient walls into a dramatic outdoor climbing arena, attracting thousands of 'spider-men' – as climbers are affectionately called. Organizers have established over 80 distinct climbing blocks, offering a challenging yet accessible experience for participants.

Approximately 1,000 climbers have registered for the festival, with participants traveling from diverse locations including Brazil, Egypt, South Korea, and France. The event has grown significantly since its inception, evolving from initial skepticism among local administrators and residents to becoming a point of pride for the community. Some residents have even offered their gardens for participants to camp in, facilitating easier access to the climbing sites.

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The beautiful thing is that from the skepticism of the first edition, we have moved on to requests from some residents who ask to let the young people camp in their garden, so as to be able to go and try the blocks more easily.

The festival's core attraction is its 'Street Boulder' event, described by organizer Marcello Romagnoli as the largest of its kind in Europe. This unique competition takes place amidst the town's streets, alleys, and squares. While the spirit is competitive, the emphasis is placed on the recreational and social aspects, encouraging interaction among climbers of all skill levels. However, opportunities for timed challenges and a final awards ceremony are also included.

Several internationally recognized climbers, including Silvio Reffo, Angelika Reiner, Ja-In Kim, Laura Rogora, and Wafaa Amer, will be present to support and inspire participants. The inclusion of climbing as an Olympic sport, debuting in Tokyo, has boosted its popularity and visibility. Romagnoli notes that while the Olympic recognition has made the sport more accessible to the general public, the desire for outdoor activities, heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, has also driven participation. He emphasizes that climbing taps into a fundamental human desire to overcome challenges and build self-confidence, describing it as a form of spiritual development.

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The Olympic part has made it recognizable as an activity and even a non-professional audience has understood that it was a noteworthy activity. Then there was also Covid and the desire to be outdoors unleashed participation. Climbing is the first gesture we make as children, an ancestral desire to overcome one's own difficulty or one's own limit. It gives you the possibility to have confidence in your abilities, it is a spiritual formation.