Cantè j'Euv dj'Amis

A peasant tradition reborn every spring

The Cantè j'Euv dj'Amis is a village festival celebrating one of the most deep-rooted customs of the Roero, in the heart of lower Piedmont: the canté j'euv, or 'egg singing'. This ancient Lenten and Easter tradition, widespread in most towns in the area, saw young people go from farmhouse to farmhouse singing songs to wish for a fertile season and the awakening of nature. In exchange for their well-wishes, they received fresh eggs—a symbol of new life—which were then used for the traditional Easter Monday omelet. Those who refused to participate in the festivities were instead treated to a loud, sung 'curse' as a good-natured punishment for their stinginess.

The festival in the village of Monticello d'Alba

In Monticello d'Alba, a municipality in the Province of Cuneo, this tradition has been brought back to life thanks to the collaboration of four local Pro Loco associations: Monticello d'Alba, Sanfrè, Pocapaglia, and Ceresole d'Alba. The event takes place in the charming village center at sunset, combining singing, gastronomy, and conviviality in a single evening. The event is part of the broader Cantè j'Euv nel Roero calendar, promoted by the Ecomuseum of the Rocche del Roero, which involves various towns in the hills between the Langhe and Roero every spring.

What to expect

• The children's choir: the opening is entrusted to children and students from local schools, as part of the 'Cantè j'Euv for children' project, which passes down traditional folk songs.
• Local singing groups: each Pro Loco brings its own group, performing traditional songs characteristic of the territory.
• Spontaneous groups: singers and musicians arriving from various parts of Piedmont enliven the square with accordions, guitars, and voices.
• Roero gastronomy: the Pro Loco prepare typical local dishes, accompanied by Roero wines.

An opportunity to discover the Roero

Participating in the Cantè j'Euv dj'Amis means experiencing the folklore, culture, and hospitality of the Roero up close in one of the most evocative spring events in the Piedmontese hills. It is an authentic festival, far from the major tourist circuits, where the community gathers around song and the table to celebrate the arrival of spring.