Cuceglio Carnival

The Cuceglio Carnival, the heart of the Canavese in disguise

In the town of Cuceglio, a small municipality in the Metropolitan City of Turin nestled among the hills of the Canavese, the Carnival is more than just a party: it is the time of year when the entire community gathers around its masks and traditions. Organized by the Pro Loco of Cuceglio, the Carnival takes place in the large covered pavilion on Via Duca di Genova and brings the town streets to life with parades, music, and plenty of delicious Piedmontese food.

Erbaluce and Barba Giogiu, the symbolic masks

The two figures who embody the spirit of the Cuceglio Carnival are Erbaluce and Barba Giogiu, officially introduced at the start of the festival during a ceremony at the Town Hall. The name Erbaluce evokes the famous white grape variety of the Canavese, a sign of the deep bond between the festival and the local territory. As tradition dictates, the masks are accompanied by the Rubiun and the Barbatelle, figures representing the town's different districts—Riva, Gui, and Cascine—who bring the playful rivalry of the Palio dei cantoni to life.

A week of celebration between tradition and taste

The program alternates between lighthearted moments and highly anticipated events: from the presentation of the masks to traditional dinners, from the children's Carnival to the grand masquerade ball, and the parade through the town streets accompanied by the band. The gastronomic heart of the festival is the traditional Canavese cuisine, prepared by the Pro Loco volunteers: polenta and cod, the Gran Fritto Misto alla Piemontese, and above all, the famous Faseuj e Quajette (beans and pork rinds), prepared by the Master Bean-Cooks and considered a true delicacy.

A celebration for the entire community

The Cuceglio Carnival is an authentic event, far from the scale of mass tourism but rich in participation. The coming-of-age celebrations for eighteen-year-olds, school visits, communal lunches, and the closing ceremony with the traditional burning of the 'babacio' (straw effigy) make this event an unmissable appointment for those wanting to discover the most genuine side of Piedmontese folk traditions.