Crova Carnival (Carvè)

The Carvè, the soul of Crova

In Crova, a tiny town in the Province of Vercelli surrounded by the rice fields of eastern Piedmont, carnival is not just any event: it is the time of year when the entire community comes together. Known to everyone by its dialect name Carvè, the Crova Carnival is organized by the Pro Loco Crova APS, established in 1991 from the original Festival Committee known as Famija Cruatina, and today boasting over thirty years of service to the community.

The masks and the handover of the keys

The symbolic heart of the festival lies in the two traditional Crova masks, Giambel d'la Ginevra and Madlinin dei Tre Scalin, who embody the spirit and memory of the town. During the carnival, they receive the symbolic keys of Crova from the mayor, effectively taking charge of the town for the duration of the festivities. These two masks also represent Crova beyond the town borders: they have participated in the famous Historical Carnival of Santhià, the oldest in Piedmont, where they were recognized by UNPLI Piemonte as the youngest masks.

A festival of taste and tradition

The Carvè is, above all, a celebration of rustic flavors. It opens with the Pula, the traditional morning parade through the town streets, followed by the distribution of takeaway panissa, the signature dish of Vercelli cuisine made with rice, beans, and salami. The most anticipated moment, however, remains the caudere—the enormous copper cauldrons used to cook polenta with stew and bean soup. Before being served, the cauldrons are blessed in a ritual that weaves together popular devotion and conviviality. Everything takes place in an atmosphere of great participation, thanks to the numerous Pro Loco volunteers who make the festival possible every year.

Where and when

The events are spread between January and February, with the operational base at the Ca' del Loco, the new Pro Loco headquarters on Corso XXI Aprile, and the distribution of the caudere at the municipal sports field in Crova. For those looking to discover the most authentic traditions of the Vercelli area, the Carvè is the perfect opportunity to experience a village carnival far from the major tourist circuits, filled with genuine rituals, hearty dishes, and Piedmontese hospitality.