Buer Festival

The Buer Festival, the heart of Canavese farming tradition

In the heart of the Canavese, in the small town of Ozegna in the Piedmont province of Turin, the Buer Festival renews the deep bond between the community and the land every year. «Buer» is the Piedmontese term for ox-herds, the farmers who once worked with oxen: a word that encapsulates centuries of hard work, wisdom, and respect for the fields. The festival is held on the feast of Saint Isidore the Farmer, the 12th-century Spanish saint canonized in the 17th century and venerated as the patron of farmers and protector of harvests.

A morning of faith and community

The centerpiece of the festival is the Holy Mass celebrated in the Parish Church, during which the three priors bring baskets of the earth's fruits to the altar to be blessed with holy water. The service traditionally concludes with the recitation of the Farmer's Prayer in the Piedmontese language: a gesture that preserves the local dialect and identity. At the end of the celebration, the characteristic blessing of tractors and agricultural machinery takes place in the churchyard, symbolizing the hard work and dedication of those who cultivate the land.

A convivial gathering

After the religious ceremony, the festival continues with a social gathering accompanied by the notes of the «Renzo Succa» Music Corps, the local town band, and a refreshment offered by the priors. It is an opportunity to meet, chat, and strengthen the bonds of a community that continues to identify with the values of the land. The program often includes an informative session by Coldiretti on current issues affecting the agricultural sector.

A festival for the territory

The Buer Festival is organized by the local farmers' association and the Coldiretti Women in collaboration with the Municipality of Ozegna. Every year, the ceremony involves local authorities and regional representatives, testifying to the importance that the agricultural world still holds in the Canavese today. For those visiting this part of Piedmont, it is a precious opportunity to discover an authentic tradition, far from the major tourist circuits and deeply rooted in the life of the town.