Ganzega del Bosco

A festival born from the forest

The Ganzega del Bosco is the signature event of the summer in Camposilvano, a tiny hamlet in the municipality of Vallarsa, in the Autonomous Province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige). Nestled at an altitude of about 1,000 meters, at the foot of Mount Pasubio and the Little Dolomites, Camposilvano is a village of only a few dozen inhabitants where the forest has never been just a landscape, but a source of economy, culture, and history. From this, in the late 1980s, the idea was born for a festival that would pay homage to the forest and the craft of those who work it.

The local dialect term ganzega refers to the celebration that follows the completion of communal work, a convivial moment where fatigue turns into sharing. This is why the Ganzega del Bosco is much more than a festival: it is the way a small mountain community gives thanks to its territory.

The lumberjack competition

The heart of the event is the lumberjack skill competition, which sees numerous teams challenge each other in a series of trials related to timber work. Precision, strength, and teamwork blend with folklore in a spectacular competition that brings ancient gestures back to life: those of the marangoni, the carpenters who once carved beams, doors, windows, and furniture for the village houses from the forest. The elders still recount that the Norway spruce was cut in August, during the full moon, because it «was easier to debark» and lasted longer.

Two days for all ages

Alongside the competitions, the Ganzega offers two days full of events: games and entertainment for families, live music, and the warm hospitality of the food stalls, where you can savor traditional Trentino cuisine prepared by local volunteers. It is an opportunity to experience the mountains authentically, amidst the scent of wood, traditional dishes, and the atmosphere of a united community.

A broader summer program

The Ganzega del Bosco is the highlight of a rich summer calendar promoted by the Camposilvano è association, titled «A Mountain of Emotions», which brings the hamlet to life between July and August with music, art exhibitions, book presentations, screenings, and outdoor initiatives. A voluntary commitment aimed at enhancing the village and its human and cultural heritage.

Why it's worth the trip

• The lumberjack competition, a unique spectacle combining sport, craft, and tradition
• The genuine Trentino cuisine at the food stalls
• An authentic mountain village at the foot of Mount Pasubio, immersed in the woods of Vallarsa
• A family-friendly event with games and entertainment for all ages