Coppieri Bonfire / February 17th Festival

The Coppieri Bonfire, the heart of the February 17th Festival

In Torre Pellice, in the heart of the Pellice Valley in the Province of Turin, the Coppieri Bonfire is one of the most anticipated events of the Waldensian winter. Every year, on the evening before February 17th, the Coppieri hamlet fills with people gathering around a large fire lit at nightfall: it is the signal, repeated across all the Waldensian Valleys of Piedmont, that illuminates the mountains and tells a story of freedom spanning nearly two centuries.

What is celebrated on February 17th

On February 17th, the Waldensians commemorate the 1848 Letters Patent, the act by which King Charles Albert granted civil and political rights to the Waldensian communities, ending centuries of discrimination and marginalization. The bonfires that have been lit in all the hamlets since that day have become the symbol of that emancipation: a fire of joy that, from valley to valley, recalls the end of the "ghetto" and the achievement of freedom of worship.

The torchlight procession and the fire

In Torre Pellice, the festival begins with the traditional torchlight procession, which starts from the Cappella degli Appiotti and winds through the town streets to Coppieri, where the bonfire is lit. Around the flames, the community gathers to warm up with hot chocolate and mulled wine, while the younger ones sell torches and liven up the evening: a popular and intergenerational moment that unites residents, the faithful, and visitors.

A day of remembrance

February 17th continues with the rites that make this anniversary a true day of celebration for the Waldensian community: the children's and youth parade, the stop at the bridge over the Biglione (the ancient border of the Waldensian ghetto), the unified service at the town center temple with the choir's singing, and the community lunch at the Waldensian Foresteria. A day that intertwines faith, history, and the identity of one of the oldest religious minorities in Italy.

Why it is worth attending

Participating in the Coppieri Bonfire means experiencing an authentic page of Piedmontese and Protestant culture. Far from the more touristy festivals, here you can breathe in the intimate and communal atmosphere of the Waldensian Valleys: the fire, the snow, the songs, and a historical memory that speaks of tolerance and rights. An ideal experience for those who want to discover the deepest soul of Torre Pellice and the Pinerolo area.