Fagiolata dei Raner d'San Pons and Carnival

The Raner Carnival in San Ponso

The Fagiolata dei Raner d'San Pons is the Carnival celebration of the small town of San Ponso, a village in the Canavese area of the Metropolitan City of Turin, in Piedmont. The event gathers families, children, and visitors in Piazza Martiri della Libertà around two essential ingredients: the masked fun of Carnival and the great fagiolata, the traditional bean soup cooked and served to everyone.

Who are the Raner?

The name of the festival refers to the historic nickname of the inhabitants of San Ponso, called i Raner in Piedmontese, meaning "the frog people," a nod to the long local tradition linked to this creature, which is also celebrated every spring at the well-known Frog Festival (Sagra delle Rane). The connection to this identity is so strong that the village has revived the famous I Raner d'San Pons allegorical float, a parade born in 1986 thanks to the collective effort of young and old, which has returned to the heart of the Carnival after decades of absence.

A community celebration

The event is organized jointly by the Municipality of San Ponso, the Mutual Aid Society, and the Pro Loco, the vibrant heart of local community life. The entire day takes place outdoors and operates on a voluntary donation basis: visitors can take the fagiolata to go or enjoy it on-site, thereby helping to support the activities of local associations.

What to expect

• The preparation and distribution of the fagiolata, the festival's signature dish
• Carnival entertainment for all ages, with masks, colors, and cheer
• The convivial atmosphere typical of village festivals in the Canavese region
• An opportunity to discover San Ponso and its unique identity linked to the Raner

Though small in scale, the Fagiolata dei Raner perfectly captures the spirit of Canavese communities: tradition, flavor, and the joy of gathering around a table for a warm, hearty meal.