Lòm a Mêrz – Bonfire Festival in Solarolo (Grandi Francesco Agricultural Company)

A Propitiatory Bonfire in the Solarolo Farmyard

In Solarolo, a small municipality in the Bassa Romagna region of the province of Ravenna, the Lòm a Mêrz bring one of the most evocative and ancient rituals of the Romagna countryside to the farmyard of the Grandi Francesco Agricultural Company: the focarina, the propitiatory bonfire lit between the end of February and the first days of March. The Solarolo event is part of the large, widespread review that each year illuminates the farmyards, agriturismos, and rural culture sites of Emilia-Romagna.

The Ritual of Fire and the Meaning of Lòm a Mêrz

«Lòm a Mêrz» means «lights of March» in the Romagna dialect. These are the fires that, since Celtic and Roman times, were lit to welcome the arrival of spring, invoke fertility and abundance, and drive away the cold and harshness of winter. Farmers would burn pruning residues and dry branches, gathering in the farmyards to sing, dance, and share simple foods like ciambella (ring cake) and wine. In Solarolo, this collective memory is still alive today, in the heart of the Ravenna countryside.

The Program in Solarolo

At the Grandi Francesco Agricultural Company, the evening follows the rhythm of tradition:

• From 4:30 PM — Folk dances in the farmyard, with traditional Romagna music and dances;
• At sunset — Lighting of the focarina, the large propitiatory bonfire;
• 8:00 PM — Francesco Rivola tells curious traditional stories around the fire.

It is a convivial and free event, suitable for families, that combines the charm of the night fire with the rediscovery of peasant culture and its knowledge.

The Regional Review and the 2026 Theme

The 2026 edition, the 26th, takes place from February 26th to March 3rd and is dedicated to the theme “As good as bread… From the Earth to Bread: biodiversity, tradition, and sharing”, a thread connecting ancient grains, flours, and home cooking. The event features 36 appointments in the courtyards, farmyards, agriturismos, and restaurants of fifteen municipalities in Romagna, including Solarolo. It is promoted by the association Il Lavoro dei Contadini - Comunità Slow Food APS (The Work of the Peasants - Slow Food Community APS).

Why It's Worth It

The Lòm a Mêrz in Solarolo are an authentic experience, far from the more touristy village festivals: a way to rediscover the connection between the land, the seasons, and food, in one of the most genuine countrysides of Emilia-Romagna. The bonfire burning in the farmyard, the stories told by the warmth of the fire, and the folk dances restore the sense of a community celebrating the return of the good season.