Since 1988, on the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, a musical review has been held entirely dedicated to Soul, that music resulting from the meeting of Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Rock and Country that has given voice and visibility to the battles of black America for the civil rights and for a citizenship worthy of the name.

The review has a very specific name: Porretta Soul Festival. It all started from the dream of a boy in love with the music of Otis Redding and Rufus Thomas who, as an adult, will find himself living in Otis Redding Street and parading black music stars in an outdoor amphitheater – Rufus Thomas Park – thus transforming his city into the City of Soul.

The formula works: the most prestigious singers and musicians of the past and present line up to get on that prestigious stage and word of mouth attracts fans from all over the world.

Soul City explains how all of this happened.