Lòm a Mèrz

The Lòm a Mèrz of Imola

Every year, in March, the historic center of Imola, in the Province of Bologna, rediscovers one of its most beloved traditions: the Lòm a Mèrz, literally "light in March" in the Romagnol dialect. In Piazza Matteotti, the community gathers around a large bonfire to bid farewell to winter and welcome the arrival of the warmer season. Organized by Pro Loco Imola, the event is now in its 45th edition and attracts families, children, and enthusiasts of local customs, in an evening that blends fire, gastronomy, and popular music.

An ancient rite of March fires

Lòm a Mèrz has its roots in a very ancient peasant custom widespread throughout Romagna. At the end of winter, farmers used to light large fires in the fields and courtyards, burning vine shoots and dry pruning branches. The flames held magical and symbolic value: "bringing light to March" meant propitiating the forces of nature, warding off cold and bad luck, and entrusting the earth with the wish for an abundant harvest. In Imola, this ancestral gesture has become a city festival, recovered and passed down from generation to generation as a heritage of identity for the Imola area.

The festival in Piazza Matteotti

The day comes alive in the late afternoon when the square buzzes with food stalls and the aromas of Romagnol cuisine. The star is the fried piadina prepared by the Gruppo Piadaioli of Fontanelice, accompanied by mulled wine with DOC wine and traditional small sweets. All around, the handicrafts market displays artisanal creations and handmade items, while music provides the soundtrack to the festival with a DJ and live performances.

The skaters' torchlight procession and the bonfire

The most evocative moment arrives in the evening: the city-wide torchlight procession of Imola skaters from the Imola Skating group travels through the city with lit torches and reaches Piazza Matteotti, where they set fire to the great propitiatory bonfire. This is the symbolic heart of Lòm a Mèrz, the auspicious signal that accompanies the transition to spring, followed by a musical performance that continues late into the evening. A free event for the whole family, and one of the most cherished of the late winter calendar in Emilia-Romagna.