Anciue – Anchovy Merchants' Fair
The fair celebrating the trade of the Val Maira anchovy merchants
About Anciue
Anciue – Anchovy Merchants' Fair, the salty soul of Val Maira
Anciue – Anchovy Merchants' Fair is one of the most cherished events in the spring calendar of Dronero, a town in the Val Maira in the province of Cuneo, in the heart of the Occitan Piedmont. The event, organized by the Municipality of Dronero together with the Fondazione Amleto Bertoni, transforms the historic center into a large open-air market dedicated to a trade that has shaped the economic and cultural history of the valley.
The trade of the anchovy merchants and the salt road
For generations, the inhabitants of Val Maira would travel on foot to Liguria, returning with blue fish that, once salt-cured, became a vital food source for the winter months. This itinerant trade gave rise to the figure of the acciugaio (in Occitan anciuè), who traveled with a characteristic cart and barrels of salt-cured anchovies. The fair was created to preserve this collective memory, at a time when the number of traditional anchovy merchants is dwindling, and to share with new generations a valley identity built on hard work, travel, and ingenuity.
Gastronomy: anchovies, stockfish, and tradition
The delicious heart of the fair is coordinated by Slow Food Valle Maira, which presents the anchovy in both traditional recipes and innovative street food offerings. The 2026 edition introduced stockfish alongside the anchovy for the first time, thanks to a twinning with Pieve di Teco, in Liguria. Along the streets and in the squares, you will find the gastronomic area, craft beers from the Granda region, show cooking, and tastings that blend the taste of the sea with the flavors of the highlands.
Music, exhibitions, and art
- Folk concerts: Occitan and Irish music accompany the evenings, featuring names from the traditional Piedmontese and Celtic scene.
- Exhibitions and sculptures: The Luigi Mallé Museum and the Bottegone spaces host photographic exhibitions, sculptures, and art projects dedicated to the anchovy.
- Gyotaku: The ancient Japanese technique of printing the image of sea fish onto paper becomes one of the fair's most curious attractions.
- Open Mill: Free guided tours of the historic Mulino Cavanna, a symbol of Dronero's heritage.
A community celebration
Between stalls of local products, valley crafts, spaces for schools, and workshops for families and children, Anciue is much more than a food festival: it is a celebration of identity that brings together the community of Dronero and the entire Val Maira. The fully pedestrianized Sunday makes it even more pleasant to stroll through the market, shops, and experiential tourism offerings, with free admission to all main events.
Anciue — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Anciue – Anchovy Merchants' Fair brought Dronero to life from June 5 to 7, 2026. The opening evening on Friday, June 5, in Piazza Martiri della Libertà, featured a concert by Lou Dalfin with music, dancing, street food, and craft beers. On Saturday, June 6, the fair ran from 10 AM to 7 PM throughout the squares and streets of the center, with the official inauguration at 3:30 PM accompanied by the Banda San Luigi, a DJ set by DJ Lambo, and a concert by the Irish group Birkin Tree. On Sunday, June 7, the pedestrianized day featured a philatelic cancellation, show cooking, Occitan dances, and guided tours of the Mulino Cavanna. The common thread was the gastronomy coordinated by Slow Food Valle Maira and the exhibitions at the Mallé Museum, including the "Figure d'acciughe" (Anchovy Figures).
Programme Anciue 2026
2026 Program
- Friday, June 5, 9:30 PM – Piazza Martiri della Libertà: concert by Lou Dalfin, with music, dancing, street food, and craft beers (free admission).
- Saturday, June 6, 10 AM - 7 PM – Fair in the historic center (Piazza Martiri della Libertà, Piazza Manuel di San Giovanni, and surrounding streets); 3:30 PM inauguration with Banda San Luigi; 3 PM Occitan dances with Daniela Mandrile; show cooking with chef Marco Servetto; 7:30 PM DJ set with DJ Lambo; 9:30 PM concert by Birkin Tree (street food and beers until late).
- Sunday, June 7, 9 AM - 7 PM – Pedestrian day; 11 AM philatelic cancellation at Opere Pie Droneresi; presentation of "Acciuga su carta" by Elena Di Capita at the Luigi Mallé Museum; "Open Mill" with free guided tours of the Mulino Cavanna (9:30 AM - 12:30 PM / 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM).
Highlights Anciue 2026
- Concerts by Lou Dalfin (Occitan) and Birkin Tree (Irish folk)
- Debut of stockfish alongside anchovies, thanks to the twinning with Pieve di Teco
- Gyotaku, the ancient Japanese technique of printing fish images
- Exhibitions at the Mallé Museum, including "Figure d'acciughe – Apua Mutantis" by Dario Ghibaudo
- Market of local products, Val Maira crafts, and show cooking
Prices Anciue 2026
Practical information — Anciue
How to get there
Dronero is located in Val Maira, in the province of Cuneo. By car from Cuneo, take the SP422 for about 25 minutes. By train, the reference station is Cuneo, connected to Dronero by suburban bus lines. The nearest airport is Cuneo-Levaldigi.
Admission and hours
Admission to the fair and all main events is free. The fair takes place in the historic center (Piazza Martiri della Libertà, Piazza Manuel di San Giovanni, and surrounding streets), generally from 9:00/10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with street food and music until late in the evening.
Tips
On Sunday, the center is pedestrianized: it is best to park in the outer areas and reach the squares on foot. For updated information, consult the website www.anciue.it or the Fondazione Amleto Bertoni.
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Where does it take place — Anciue
Centro storico di Dronero
Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 12025 Dronero