Krìes di Mersino - The Epiphany Bonfire

The fire that announces spring

In the Natisone Valleys, where Friulian tradition intertwines with Slovenian tradition, the Epiphany bonfire has its own name: Krìes. In Mersino, a hamlet of Pulfero, on the evening of January 5th, the great Krìes is lit, an ancient rite that the Pro Loco Mersino APS revives every year, reaching its 26th edition in 2026.

From the fire, Carnival is born

The Krìes is not just a bonfire: it is the moment that officially inaugurates the Carnival of the Natisone Valleys, the Pust. From the ashes of the fire, the carnival spirit is reborn, embodied by the Pustje, the typical masks of the valley who wear clothes made of strips of colored fabric, cowbells, and klìešče, the characteristic wooden tongs.

Dancing around the flames

At 7:00 PM, the folk dances of the Pustje begin, and shortly after, with the arrival of Befana, the great bonfire is lit. The masks dance around the fire to the sound of accordions, in a rite that announces the end of winter and the rebirth of spring. It is a moment of strong suggestion, where the flames illuminate the mountain night and the entire community gathers around the Krìes.

A community celebration

To welcome participants, there is the well-stocked food and wine stand of the Pro Loco, with hot sandwiches and hot drinks to warm up on a winter night. Organized by Pro Loco Mersino APS with the Municipality of Pulfero, the Krìes of Mersino is one of the most authentic and identity-forming events in the Natisone Valleys, capable of passing down a unique cultural heritage on the border between Italy and Slovenia.