Ij Danseur dël Pilon — A Summer Celebration of Music, Dance, and Folk Tradition

A festival of dance and tradition in the Alta Langa

In Lequio Berria, a small town in the Province of Cuneo nestled in the hills of the Alta Langa, summer is celebrated with an event dedicated to Piedmontese folk culture. The afternoon with Ij Danseur dël Pilon turns the town center into an open-air stage, where regional dances, music, and songs take center stage in the streets and the square.

Who are the Ij Danseur dël Pilon

The dance group was founded in 2014 as part of the Piemonte Cultura association and brings together a dozen pairs of dancers, accompanied by the Sonador dël Pilon musicians. Their repertoire draws from the most characteristic historical dances of the Occitan lands of Piedmont and the Franco-Provençal areas between Piedmont and the Aosta Valley: monferrine, corente, brando, bourrée, and other traditional forms from the Canavese, Roero, and alpine valleys. The costumes, inspired by traditional Canavese attire, complete a highly evocative picture, embodying the group's famous motto: "ël bal a l'é la legna dl'anima" (dance is the firewood of the soul).

The program

The event features a succession of Piedmontese folk dances, live traditional music, songs, and moments of folkloric entertainment. This is not a passive performance: the audience is directly involved in the dances and traditions, evoking the spirit of ancient Piedmontese village festivals. The instruments accompanying the performance include percussion and items from rural culture, such as the drum, the flail, and other rhythmic tools recovered from the farming world of the Langhe.

An event tied to the patronal feast

The event is part of the broader calendar of summer celebrations in Lequio Berria, dedicated to the Madonna della Neve and the Patronal Feast of San Lorenzo, which enliven the town between late July and early August with musical evenings, gastronomic events, processions, and traditional pantalera tournaments. This day of folk dance is one of the most cherished moments of the festive season, bringing together the local community and visitors for an authentic experience of Piedmontese culture.

Why attend

• Discover live Piedmontese folk dances performed by a group recognized in the Regional Register of Historical and Folkloric Groups
• Experience the authentic atmosphere of an Alta Langa village festival
• Get involved in traditional dances and songs
• Combine a visit to the UNESCO-listed Langhe hills with a free cultural event