Historic Children's Carnival

A carnival that tells the story of the Canavese

The Historic Children's Carnival of Brosso, a village perched in the Valchiusella valley in the Province of Turin, is much more than just a costume party: it is a true re-enactment that brings to life one of the most dramatic and defining chapters of Canavese history. Organized with passion by the Pro Loco Brosso, the event attracts families, curious visitors, and folklore enthusiasts from across the valley and beyond every year.

The Tuchinaggio: the revolt that became a festival

The symbolic heart of the event is the re-enactment of the Tuchinaggio, the popular uprising at the end of the 14th century when the peasants and artisans of the Canavese rebelled against the tyranny of the lords of San Martino. The name comes from the local dialect expression "tüc'-ün," meaning "all united": in 1386, the villages rose up, stormed the castles, and set them ablaze. In Brosso, where the ruins of the ancient castle of the Counts of San Martino still stand, this memory lives on in the spectacular burning of the castle, the highlight of Saturday evening.

Three days of pageantry, music, and tradition

The program alternates between activities for children and events for the whole community. Saturday is children's day, featuring entertainment, a masked baby dance, games, and snacks, while in the evening, Piazza Sclopis transforms with the presentation of the characters and the burning of the castle, followed by dancing. Sunday is the day of the grand historical pageant: masks, allegorical floats, the Ocarine and Tamburi of Brosso, the marching band, and the Pifferi and Tamburi parade through the village streets in a riot of color and sound. The festival concludes with the burning of the scarlo, the great bonfire that consumes the carnival effigy.

Traditional flavors

The Brosso Carnival is also about conviviality: from the distribution of beans to community dinners, and the unmissable end-of-season tradition of the famous polenta and cod dinner, the symbolic dish of Canavese popular cuisine. It is a perfect opportunity to taste the authentic flavors of the Valchiusella and experience the welcoming spirit of this small Piedmontese town.

Why visit

• An authentic historical re-enactment rooted in the memory of the Canavese Tuchinaggio
• The spectacular burning of the castle and the scarlo
• A parade rich in allegorical floats, bands, and musical groups
• The genuine atmosphere of a Valchiusella village
• Local gastronomic specialties, especially polenta and cod