A Furmagià (The Cheese Festival)

A Furmagià, the Cellarengo Cheese Festival

Every year in mid-May, the small village of Cellarengo, in the province of Asti, comes alive for A Furmagià — Italian for The Cheese Festival — one of the most beloved food and wine festivals in the upper Asti Monferrato, just a stone's throw from the Roero area. For three evenings, the event draws food lovers and curious visitors from all over the region, enticed by the aroma of Piedmontese cheeses and the festive atmosphere that fills the event area on Via Circonvallazione.

Cheese takes center stage

The heart of the event is, of course, the cheese, showcased in many traditional local recipes. The menus served by the Pro Loco include appetizers such as 'albese' beef with gorgonzola, fried scamorza with crostini, tomini cheese with speck, first courses featuring gnocchi, and mixed cheese platters paired with honey. To finish, desserts like cheesecake and panna cotta. Everything is washed down with local wines and cocktails, offering a simple and authentic culinary experience.

Music, dancing, and vintage tractors

Beyond the table, A Furmagià is a true village festival. Each evening, dinner is accompanied by live music: ballroom dance orchestras, bands playing hits from the seventies to today, and DJ sets keep the crowd dancing until late. One of the most cherished traditions is the vintage tractor gathering, featuring a parade of agricultural vehicles and a blessing ceremony, a moment that ties the festival to the town's rural roots.

A deeply rooted local tradition

Now in its twentieth year, A Furmagià is organized with passion by the Pro Loco of Cellarengo, which involves volunteers and local residents every year. The event is a great opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Piedmont, nestled among the rolling hills of Monferrato and Roero, and to experience the conviviality typical of village festivals, where good food, wine, and music intertwine with a strong sense of community.