Limone Carnival – Dzandumeni Carnaval

The Limone Carnival, a tradition of the Maritime Alps

In the heart of the Maritime Alps, in Limone Piemonte (Province of Cuneo, Piedmont), the Limone Carnival — known in the local dialect as Carual — is one of the most deeply felt and rooted traditions of the Cuneo alpine region. It is celebrated on Shrove Tuesday, the final day before Lent, when the village dresses up for the festivities and historical masks take to the streets of the center.

The legend of Dzandumeni

The central character of the festival is Dzandumeni, a simple and witty man who, according to legend, was sentenced to death for speaking the truth about some influential people in the village. His story sets the ironic and satirical tone for the entire event: the Carnival culminates with the reading of his testament, a biting satire dedicated to authorities and citizens alike, followed by a symbolic guillotine and the burning of the severed head.

The parade in traditional costumes

The procession winds through eight stops along the streets of the historic center. The festival is opened by Cureul, a minstrel who uses a trumpet and tambourine to announce the start of the festivities and gather the village's typical characters. At each stop, the masks perform traditional songs and dances. Key figures include:

• Arlecchino, a historical mask of the procession;
• the Turco and the Turca, recalling ancient Saracen raids;
• rural characters such as the gardener and the hunter;
• the doctor and the nurse, the godparents, and the newlyweds;
• the elderly parents of Dzandumeni, who mourn their son's fate;
• Lu Lasard, the executioner;
• the Tupinne, masked figures in white who offer sweets to the crowd.

The finale in Piazza del Municipio

The final stop brings the procession back to Piazza del Municipio, where the closing ceremony takes place with the reading of the testament and the beheading of Dzandumeni Carnaval. The festival then concludes with dancing, singing, and wine, in an atmosphere of collective joy that involves the entire village.

A festival for the whole community

The Limone Piemonte Carnival is not just for adults on Shrove Tuesday: in the days leading up to it, the village also dedicates space to the little ones, with a parade of masked children, games, music, and workshops. Thanks to its proximity to the Ice Arena and the ski slopes, the Carual is also an opportunity to experience the mountains in winter, combining tradition and fun in the snow. Limone Piemonte, awarded the Orange Flag by the Italian Touring Club, thus confirms its vocation as an authentic village of the Cuneo Alps.