Historical Carnival of Coumba Freida – Roisan

The Landzette Carnival in Roisan

In the heart of Valpelline, at the gateway to the Gran San Bernardo Valley, the Municipality of Roisan preserves one of the most authentic expressions of the Historical Carnival of Coumba Freida, among the most characteristic in the entire Aosta Valley. The absolute protagonists are the Landzette, masks with flamboyant costumes, richly decorated with mirrors and tassels, which according to tradition allegorically recall the uniforms of Napoleon's soldiers who passed through the Gran San Bernardo Pass in May 1800.

A Community Rite

During the festival days, the Landzette travel through the village and its hamlets, enter houses, dance in the streets and squares, and stop for offerings of food and drinks prepared by the inhabitants. Every element of the costume has a precise meaning: the mirrors are used to ward off evil spirits, the mule tails represent the winds, while the dominant red is a symbol of strength and protection. Alongside the Landzette appear symbolic figures such as the Ours, the bear that announces the return of spring.

The 2026 Fortieth Anniversary

The 2026 edition marks the fortieth anniversary of the Roisan carnival, an important milestone for the community of this small Municipality in the Province of Aosta. The programme intertwines the Landzette parade with moments dedicated to families, in a schedule that also involves the inter-municipal library 'Abbé Henry'.

The Coumba Freida, a Valley Tradition

The Carnival of Coumba Freida is not an isolated event but a great widespread rite that, between January and February, enlivens numerous villages in Valpelline and the Gran San Bernardo Valley, from Ollomont to Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses. Roisan represents one of the most heartfelt stops, where the mask is not a spectacle but the living identity of an entire alpine community.