Carcavegia Bonfire

The Carcavegia Bonfire, the ancient soul of Premosello-Chiovenda

On the eve of Epiphany, the village of Premosello-Chiovenda, in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola province (Piedmont), gathers around the fire for one of its most cherished rituals: the Carcavegia Bonfire. This event has roots in the distant past and continues to stir the entire Lower Ossola region every January 5th.

A ritual of fire and community

The heart of the tradition lies in the construction of large anthropomorphic effigies, dressed and stuffed with straw, representing the village's oldest inhabitants. In Premosello, there are two figures—a man and a woman—while in the nearby hamlet of Colloro, only one is burned. Setting fire to the "old woman"—which is what Carcavegia means in the local dialect—symbolizes leaving the past year behind and using the fire to usher in a prosperous new one.

In the afternoon, the local children, equipped with horns and cowbells (the characteristic ciocc), parade through the village streets, creating a joyful ritual commotion to summon the community and accompany the effigies. After a period of interruption, this tradition was revived by a group of young people and restored through the efforts of the Pro Loco of Premosello-Chiovenda, becoming one of the most important folk events in the municipality, alongside the Donkey Palio.

A popular heritage to preserve

The Carcavegia ritual is entirely secular: there are no liturgical functions, but rather a popular custom rooted in the land, the seasons, and a sense of belonging. Around the bonfire, as the flames rise into the winter night, people warm up with hot chocolate and mulled wine, and the celebration continues in good company. It is the perfect opportunity to discover the authentic soul of the Ossola Valley and its villages overlooking the Val Grande National Park.