Bubbio Polentone Festival

The Polentone Festival, a symbol of Bubbio

The Polentone Festival is the most anticipated and iconic event in Bubbio, a small village in the Province of Asti nestled in the Asti Langhe, Piedmont. Every year, on the first Sunday after Easter, the village's historic center transforms into an open-air stage where history, legend, folklore, and authentic flavors blend into one of the region's most beloved re-enactments. The festival revolves around the preparation and distribution of a giant polentone, cooked in a massive copper cauldron and served to thousands of visitors from across the region.

The legend of the coppersmiths

The festival's origins are rooted in an ancient legend involving the magnini (coppersmiths), itinerant artisans who repaired and tinned copper pots and pans. According to tradition, a group of these artisans, caught in a famine and stranded in Bubbio, were welcomed and helped by the village's generous lord, who donated the cornmeal needed to prepare a polenta large enough to feed the entire town. This act of solidarity between the coppersmiths and the local community gave birth to the Polentone ritual, a memory of the harsh reality of the rural Langhe of past centuries and, at the same time, a celebration of sharing and hospitality.

The historical re-enactment

The heart of the event is the historical costumed pageant that winds through the center of the village: the Lords of Bubbio emerge from the castle with their retinue, accompanied by millers loading sacks of flour onto a cart, surrounded by coppersmiths and the celebrating townspeople. The parade, filled with participants in medieval attire, reaches the square where the polentone is prepared. The day is further enriched by the flag-throwers of the Gruppo Asta del Palio di Asti, a historic presence at the festival, with their spectacular choreography and tosses.

The polentone and the flavors of the Langhe

The star dish is polenta prepared according to tradition with 'otto file' cornmeal, a rustic variety with an intense, genuine flavor, accompanied by onion omelet and a savory mushroom and sausage sauce. The scodellamento (serving) of the Polentone takes place in the late afternoon, around 5:30 PM, when the polenta is distributed on traditional ceramic plates and served with local red wine. The day is rounded out by food stalls, typical products of the Asti Langhe, and convivial moments in the ancient village.

A mark of quality

The Bubbio Polentone Festival, organized by Pro Loco Bubbio, has been awarded the 'Sagra di Qualità' (Quality Festival) mark by UNPLI, a recognition that rewards events capable of promoting local traditions and products while respecting authenticity and hospitality. An unmissable appointment for those wanting to discover the true soul of the Municipality of Bubbio and the Province of Asti.