Great Carnival Bonfire (Burning of the Carnival)

The great bonfire that closes the Ladin Carnival

The Great Carnival Bonfire, known locally as "se bruja l carnascèr" (burning the Carnival), is one of the most evocative and cherished moments of the Ladin Carnival in the Val di Fassa. It takes place in Soraga di Fassa, a small town in the province of Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige, on the evening of Shrove Tuesday, marking the end of the Carnival season and the beginning of Lent.

An ancient rite against winter

At the heart of the evening is a symbolic and collective gesture: on Prà del Preve, the park in front of the church, an imposing pile of wood prepared by the local youth is set on fire. Burning the "carnascèr" and with it the "strìa", the straw witch, carries a deep meaning rooted in Alpine farming culture: to exorcise evil, drive away winter, and make room for the rebirth of spring. The flames rising into the mountain night bid farewell to the cold season in a ritual repeated year after year, generation after generation.

The wooden masks of the Fassa tradition

The Ladin Carnival of Val di Fassa is famous for its hand-carved wooden masks, called faceres, traditionally made of Swiss pine. Leading the masquerades are the classic figures of the Fassa carnival: the Bufón, recognizable by his pointed hat, aquiline nose, and the telescope (the ocel) with which he scans the crowd; the Laché, an elegant ambassador of the parades with his richly decorated headdress and scepter with long colorful ribbons; and the Marascons, who advance in pairs, hopping on one foot while ringing the cowbells they are covered in. Beside them parade the faceres da bel, beautiful and benevolent masks, and the faceres da burt, ugly and menacing characters.

The Mascherada and the evening

Before the bonfire, the Mascherada is performed—a short comedy recited in the Ladin language, a distinctive feature of the valley's carnival. Around the bonfire, the community gathers for a convivial evening with music, mulled wine, and hot sandwiches, in an atmosphere that blends celebration, tradition, and belonging. The event is organized by the Comitato Manifestazioni Soraga and, as it is an outdoor event, it may be cancelled in case of bad weather.

Why it is worth attending

Attending the great bonfire of Soraga means experiencing the Ladin identity of the Val di Fassa up close, where Carnival is not just a costume party but a cultural heritage passed down with pride. For visitors, it is an opportunity to discover one of the most authentic traditions of Trentino-Alto Adige, in the heart of the Dolomites, closing a long period of festivities that involves all the villages of the valley.