Cantè J'euv of Pocapaglia

An ancient Roero custom reborn every spring

The Cantè J'euv (literally "singing the eggs") is a deep-rooted Piedmontese folk tradition found in the Langhe and Roero hills. In Pocapaglia, a small town in the Province of Cuneo overlooking the Roero, the local Pro Loco preserves and renews this ritual every year. It marks the transition from winter to spring in a festive, communal atmosphere that involves the entire village.

What is Cantè J'euv?

It is a form of ritual begging: groups of singers, traditionally young people, move from farmhouse to farmhouse and door to door, performing traditional verses often accompanied by an accordion. In return for their singing, they receive gifts of eggs, wine, cured meats, and other local products, which were historically shared during a large community feast. The verses, filled with jokes and well-wishes, were dedicated to young women of marriageable age and the community at large; it was also a prime opportunity for courtship and social gathering after the long winter months.

A revived tradition

Having nearly vanished in the 1950s, the Cantè J'euv was brought back to life in the 1970s thanks to the passion of local tradition enthusiasts in lower Piedmont. Today, it survives in small village editions across the Roero and Langhe, often for charitable purposes, and remains one of the most heartfelt spring rituals in the area. Singers wear classic black tabarri (capes) and perform the ritual songs around a bottle of wine, blending peasant memory with the modern hospitality of the Pro Loco.

Pocapaglia: A key player in the Roero

The Pro Loco of Pocapaglia is one of the most active groups in promoting the Cantè J'euv. In addition to the event in their own village, they participate in collective Roero gatherings alongside the Pro Loco associations of Sanfrè, Monticello d'Alba, and Ceresole d'Alba, creating evenings of song, music, and tastings that attract visitors from across the region. It is the perfect opportunity to discover the authenticity of the Roero hills—a cultural and gastronomic treasure of Piedmont—amidst spontaneous choirs and local specialties.

Between song and gastronomy

Beyond the ritual of song, the Cantè J'euv is also a gastronomic celebration. The Pro Loco set up food stalls featuring local products—from porchetta to hazelnut desserts from the Langhe—turning the evening into a journey through the authentic flavors of the Roero. It is a living tradition that successfully bridges historical memory, folk music, and fine dining.