Carnevalone Brusaschese

A carnival born from fire

The Carnevalone Brusaschese is the most cherished carnival event in Brusasco, a town of just over a thousand inhabitants nestled in the hills between the Po River and the Monferrato, in the Province of Turin, in the heart of Piedmont. This is no ordinary carnival: its masks do not belong to the classic Italian repertoire, but rather tell a uniquely local story, patiently crafted generation after generation.

History: from King Menelik to the King and Queen of Fire

The origins of the Carnevalone date back to the 1930s in the Taparello district, where a group of locals organized a small procession led by an emperor known as King Menelik and his court. At the time, the group consisted only of men, while women played the role of camp followers. It was the Unione Pro Brusasco that, in 1950, relaunched the festival, giving it the identity it retains today: two new sovereigns, the King and Queen of Fire.

The name is no coincidence: it draws inspiration from the Brusasco coat of arms, which depicts a Phoenix rising from the flames, a symbol of a town that has repeatedly rebuilt itself from its own ruins. Fire thus becomes a metaphor for the community's energy, transformation, and vitality, echoing ancient rites marking the transition from winter to spring.

The festival today

Every year, the Brusasco Pro Loco selects and crowns the new King and Queen of Fire, who serve as the town's ambassadors throughout the carnival season. The highlight of the day begins with the reception of the sovereigns at the town hall by local officials, followed by a procession to the schools: first the "Cottolengo" Nursery School, then the Primary School, where children greet the royals in costume.

The gastronomic and social heart of the festival is the fagiolata (bean feast) organized by the Pro Loco: the beans are blessed and distributed to residents and visitors alike, in a convivial ritual typical of Piedmontese carnivals. The event also features masquerade parades, entertainment, and opportunities for generations to come together.

Beyond the borders of Brusasco

The bond between the Carnevalone and other regional carnival traditions is evidenced by the participation of the King and Queen of Fire in the historic Mid-Lent Parade in Bergamo, where Brusasco showcases its colors and unique masks, introducing one of the most distinctive folk festivals of the Chivasso area to a wider audience.

A community gathering

More than just a tourist spectacle, the Carnevalone Brusaschese is a celebration that the town hosts for itself, generously opening its doors to anyone who wishes to join. For those visiting Piedmont between late winter and early spring, it is an opportunity to discover the authentic carnival of a hillside village—far from the famous, large-scale carnivals, but rich in meaning and human warmth.