Hello everyone! Today I want to share my experience at this last summer festival.

The Retro Festival, in the town of Terracina, Italy, was not a typical festival, but a whole experience where I lived incredibly magical moments.

What made this festival so special was the fact that it was held outdoors at all times. This is something I greatly appreciate because, for the Swing community, being visible in all its glory is a great achievement to spread the culture of this music in its purest expression.

The setting—a pine grove near the sea, with a gentle breeze and twinkling lights that looked like fireflies at night—created an atmosphere full of magic.

The organization was impeccable. The vintage market pleasantly surprised me, with all kinds of items: a hairdressing workshop, clothing, records, lamps, and hair accessories.

The dance floor comfortably hosted all the dancers, and the spacious stage had perfect lighting and sound to fully enjoy the band.

I must also highlight the dedication of the organizers to ensure the comfort of all attendees—not only the dancers but also anyone strolling by at sunset who could already enjoy the food and drink areas, complete with cozy hammocks, private sofas, plenty of tables, and chairs everywhere. Everything was prepared for all audiences—adults and children alike—who stopped by out of curiosity and ended up enjoying our gathering. It was an incredible way to connect with people spending a few vacation days in this coastal town.

The presenter was impeccable—professional, concise, cheerful, and engaging. The presentations were flawless, with sound systems set up in different areas: some for afternoon interviews, others to provide entertainment before the dancing, and others for outdoor workshops.

I must also highlight the human warmth of the teachers—their stage presentations and their classes. Each one was more complete than the last, and I shared beautiful moments with them at this festival. They were very approachable, leaving me with wonderful memories and a desire to return. Likewise, I cannot name all the dancers with whom I shared moments of complicity in each dance.

My impression of the Retro Festival goes further, as I was pleasantly surprised that there were no competitions. The only contest held was to award the person who showed the most empathy in their dancing, the most joy, and fun—chosen by votes from the dancers themselves at the event.

This detail was yet another gesture that pleasantly surprised me.

I can only say that I hope to return for the next edition with this great dancing family.