Cantamaggio

A tradition that celebrates spring

Cantamaggio is one of the most heartfelt popular festivals in the Piacenza Apennines and the most anticipated event of the year for the community of Vernasca, a small municipality nestled in the hills of Alta Val d'Arda, in the province of Piacenza. Every year, on the evening of April 30th, the village transforms into an open-air stage to welcome the month of May with songs, dances, and traditional flavors.

The 'maggianti' and propitiatory singing

The heart of the festival is the choir of the 'maggianti', the singers who, according to ancient peasant tradition, go from house to house singing couplets and propitiatory songs related to the awakening of nature and the arrival of the good season. It is a rite rooted in the rural culture of the Apennines: in the past, the 'maggianti' received eggs, bread, wine, and genuine local products in return for their song, in a gesture of exchange and good wishes for the summer harvest. Even today, the festival is open to everyone, as long as they sing: anyone can join the procession and take part in what they call 'the happiest night' in Vernasca.

The evening's program

The festival begins at 7:00 PM with the opening of the food stalls in Piazza Vittoria, where the Pro Loco offers typical dishes and products from the Emilia-Romagna and Piacenza Apennines cuisine. At 9:00 PM, the first tour through the town center begins with the choir of the 'maggianti', amidst songs and festive moments, while the square comes alive with popular dances. At midnight, the procession expands to the traditional tour of the hamlets, bringing music and voices to the various locations in the municipal area, extending the celebration late into the night.

• 7:00 PM – Opening of the food stalls in Piazza Vittoria
• 9:00 PM – First tour of the town with the choir of the 'maggianti' and popular dances
• Midnight – Traditional tour of the hamlets with songs and music

A heritage of Val d'Arda

The Cantamaggio of Vernasca represents an authentic heritage of popular traditions of Emilia-Romagna, capable of passing down the songs and gestures of peasant civilization from generation to generation. Organized by the Pro Loco of Vernasca, the event combines folklore with food and wine, offering residents and visitors the opportunity to discover a charming corner of the Apennines, between historic villages like nearby Vigoleno and the hilly landscapes of the valley. An evening that is simultaneously a spring rite, a village festival, and a celebration of a community's identity.