Gifflenga Carnival with Fagiolata

The Carnival of the smallest village in the Biella area

In the heart of the Biellese plains, where rice paddies frame the landscape around the historic Church of San Martino, the municipality of Gifflenga (Province of Biella, Piedmont) celebrates its Carnival every year. With just over a hundred residents, Gifflenga is one of the smallest towns in Piedmont and the entire province; this is precisely why its Carnival maintains a familiar and genuine character, far from the spectacular parades of large cities and closer to the authentic spirit of village festivals.

The fagiolata, the heart of the festival

The most anticipated moment is the fagiolata, the iconic dish of the Biellese Carnival tradition. The preparation itself is part of the ritual: in the days leading up to the event, a costumed procession visits the village homes to collect ingredients, following a custom that still connects the families of the village today. On Carnival Sunday, the beans are then distributed in the square, offered to the community in an atmosphere of sharing.

Medieval games and a raffle

Alongside the fagiolata, there are medieval games designed especially for the little ones: sack races, medieval target shooting, and the fun wooden hobby-horse race bring the square to life with laughter and applause. There is also the Carnival raffle draw and a bar service offering breakfast, aperitifs, and opportunities for locals to chat.

A village celebrating together

Managed by the Pro Loco of Gifflenga and its volunteers, with the support of the municipal administration led by Mayor Elisa Pollero, the Carnival is much more than an event: it is a sign of a vibrant community. As the mayor noted, "Carnival lives through its community," and Gifflenga once again demonstrates how wonderful it is to come together. For those visiting the Biella area, it is an opportunity to discover a village with a long, thousand-year history and a deeply felt popular tradition.