La Lachera — Historical Carnival of Rocca Grimalda

La Lachera, a rite spanning the centuries

In the hillside village of Rocca Grimalda, overlooking the Orba Valley and the Monferrato hills in the province of Alessandria, one of Piedmont's oldest and most fascinating carnivals is renewed every year: La Lachera. Far from the commercial spectacle of larger carnivals, this festival preserves a ritual heritage of extraordinary ethno-anthropological value, making it a benchmark for folklore scholars and enthusiasts across Europe.

A fertility rite

La Lachera has always been interpreted as an allegorical fertility ritual, tied to the seasonal cycle and the transition from winter to spring. Popular tradition also links it to the memory of an ancient peasant revolt against feudal abuses. The heart of the procession is a wedding march, a symbol of rebirth and abundance for the coming harvest, where every gesture, melody, and movement follows precise rules passed down orally through generations.

The masks and characters

The strength of La Lachera lies in its gallery of codified figures, recognizable by their elaborate costumes and deep symbolic meaning:

• The Bride and Groom: The Bride, a symbol of fertility and good fortune, and the Groom, who embody the start of the new season.
• The Laché: The two leapers who give the festival its name; the higher they jump, the more abundant the harvest will be.
• The Zuavi: Armed with long swords that they cross above the couple to protect the procession.
• The Trapulin: Positioned at the corners of the square, they crack their whips to the rhythm of the music to drive away winter.
• The Bebè: The most ambiguous figure, a mix of jester and devil, who teases the public with a small purse.

Traditional dances

The procession moves to the rhythm of centuries-old dances: the Lachera, the Giga between the couple and the Laché, and the Calisun between the Bride and the Laché, joined by the Curenta dir Butej and the Monferrina. The live music sets the pace for every moment of the festival.

The program and atmosphere

The festival traditionally spans two days. On Saturday, the Lachera travels through the countryside farmsteads with begging rounds, dances, and convivial moments in the courtyards, culminating in the great evening bonfire and the distribution of zemin, the traditional hot soup. On Sunday, the procession takes over the streets of the historic center, accompanied by guest groups, giant puppets, stilt walkers, and children's entertainment at the Belvedere. Local gastronomy is always available in the Town Hall, featuring fritters, farinata, cured meats, and piadine.

The Mask Museum

Preserving this collective memory is the Mask Museum of Rocca Grimalda, established in 2000, which documents the tradition of La Lachera and engages with other European carnival rites. During the festival, the museum opens its doors to visitors, completing an experience that blends spectacle, history, and local identity.