Giazza Fire Festival "Vaur Ljetzan"
The Cimbrian solstice rite among the Lessinia mountains
About Giazza Fire Festival
The fire of the Cimbri under the Lessinia stars
The Giazza Fire Festival, in Cimbrian language 'Vaur Ljetzan' (the fire of Giazza), is one of the most fascinating identity events in Lessinia. It is held in Giazza (Ljetzan), a hamlet of Selva di Progno in the province of Verona, around the summer solstice night. The event celebrates the return of light at its highest point of the year through fire, an element at the center of the ancestral rites of the Cimbrian people.
Giazza, the last Cimbrian island
Giazza is the last village where Tautsch, the ancient language of the Cimbri, is still spoken. The Cimbri were a population of Germanic origin who settled between Lessinia and the Altopiano dei Tredici Comuni (Plateau of the Thirteen Municipalities) starting from the Middle Ages. The Fire Festival was created to preserve and pass on this heritage: not a simple show, but the re-enactment of myths and legends of the Lessinia region, told through the language of theatre, music, and flames.
The thirteen braziers of Cimbrian unity
The heart of the evening is the lighting of the thirteen braziers, a symbol of the unity of the Cimbrian communities and a reference to the Thirteen Municipalities of Verona. The festival is organized by the Pro Loco Ljetzan-Giazza in collaboration with the Curatorium Cimbricum Veronense, the institution that has been studying and promoting Cimbrian culture for decades. A free shuttle bus service from Selva di Progno is available for the public throughout the evening.
Giazza Fire Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition is the 28th Giazza Fire Festival 'Vaur Ljetzan', scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, in the hamlet of Giazza, Selva di Progno (Verona). Through historical re-enactments, music, and evocative fire shows, the ancient ancestral rites of the Cimbrian people are renewed, culminating in the lighting of the thirteen braziers.
The evening is organized by Pro Loco Ljetzan-Giazza with the Curatorium Cimbricum Veronense and is served by a free shuttle bus from Selva di Progno.
Programme Giazza Fire Festival 2026
The 28th edition opens in the evening in the hamlet of Giazza. The usual structure of the event includes:
- Around 8:45 PM — greetings from authorities and opening of the evening
- Around 9:00 PM — theatrical performance featuring myths and legends of Cimbrian Lessinia (in recent years curated by Accademia Creativa)
- Following — lighting of the thirteen braziers, symbol of Cimbrian unity, and concluding fire show
Free shuttle bus from Selva di Progno starting from 7:00 PM. The detailed program for the 2026 show will be confirmed by the organizers in the weeks preceding the event.
Highlights Giazza Fire Festival 2026
- Lighting of the thirteen braziers, symbol of Cimbrian unity
- Theatrical performance of Lessinia myths and legends
- Re-enactment of the Cimbrian summer solstice rite
Prices Giazza Fire Festival 2026
Practical information — Giazza Fire Festival
How to get there
Giazza can be reached by car from Verona, driving up the Val d'Illasi to Selva di Progno and beyond. On the evenings of the festival, a free shuttle bus operates from Selva di Progno to Giazza.
Contacts
Pro Loco Ljetzan-Giazza – tel. +39 340 737 2819, [email protected].
Tips
The event takes place in the evening and at altitude: bring appropriate clothing even in summer. The Cimbri Museum is visitable in the area.
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Where does it take place — Giazza Fire Festival
Frazione Giazza (Ljetzan)
Giazza, 37030 Selva di Progno