Lighthouse of Freedom Festival

A civic festival to honor the Resistance

The Lighthouse of Freedom Festival is one of the most deeply felt civic observances in the Pinerolo area, located in the heart of the Waldensian valleys in the province of Turin. Every year in mid-June, the small town of Prarostino gathers around its iconic monument to commemorate the Resistance and honor the more than six hundred people from the Pinerolo valleys who lost their lives during the Liberation war. The event is promoted by the Municipality of Prarostino in collaboration with the Val Pellice branches of the ANPI, with the support of the Metropolitan City of Turin.

The Lighthouse of Freedom

The monument that gives the festival its name, the Lighthouse of Freedom, was inaugurated on June 18, 1967, on the heights of Prarostino, offering a panoramic view of the Pinerolo territory. Conceived as a lighthouse projecting its light over the valleys, it is dedicated to the memory of the fallen partisans and has served as a landmark for local communities for nearly sixty years. The 2026 celebrations mark the 59th anniversary of its construction.

The 2026 Program

The 2026 edition spans several days, from June 18 to 21, with a program that weaves together culture, history, and civic memory:

• Thursday, June 18, at 5:30 PM — At the municipal library, presentation of the book Il vento della libertà (The Wind of Freedom) by Lorenzo Tibaldo, organized by the Val Pellice ANPI branches.
• Saturday, June 20 — In the Town Hall council chamber, opening of the exhibition Dal fascismo alla Resistenza (From Fascism to the Resistance), curated by Tiziano Giustetto.
• Sunday, June 21, at 10:00 AM — Participants gather at the Town Hall square for a procession to the San Bartolomeo monuments; the official speech will be delivered by the Vice President of the Senate, Anna Rossomando. A new plaque will be unveiled in the Lighthouse park.

A tradition of the Waldensian valleys

Prarostino is part of a territory historically linked to Waldensian communities and their long tradition of defending freedom of conscience—a legacy that intertwines with the anti-fascist and resistance memory of the area. The Lighthouse of Freedom Festival thus combines historical reflection with the participation of local institutions, mayors of neighboring towns, and regional associations, in an event that attracts residents and visitors from across the Pinerolo area and Piedmont every year.