Lozzolo Carnival

Lozzolo Carnival: A village festival keeping tradition alive

In Lozzolo, a small municipality in the province of Vercelli nestled on the rolling hills that lead into the Valsesia valley, Carnival is much more than just a party: it is the moment the entire community reconnects with its roots. Organized by the Lozzolo Carnival Committee, the event is part of the rich carnival tradition of Upper Piedmont, featuring masks, parades, convivial lunches, and folk rituals passed down through generations.

The Zemmu and the Cuntagiotta: The village masks

The heart of the festival lies in the two historic Lozzolo masks: the Zemmu and the Cuntagiotta. According to local lore, the Zemmu was known for courting the village girls until the arrival of the Cuntagiotta at Carnival captured his heart. From that moment on, they became an inseparable pair, symbolizing the joy and spirit of the Lozzolo community.

Their costumes, inspired by nature, are embellished with leaves sewn onto long, floor-length skirts in shades of yellow, purple, and green. Each year, the handing over of the village keys to the masks officially marks the start of the festivities: the mayor presents the symbolic keys, with which the Zemmu and the Cuntagiotta take possession of the village for the duration of the Carnival.

The courtyard tour and the mask lunch

Among the most characteristic moments of the Lozzolo Carnival is the courtyard tour, during which the masks and the Committee travel from courtyard to courtyard, bringing music, joy, and toasts through the village alleys. It is a tradition that strengthens the bonds between families and makes the Lozzolo Carnival different from large city parades: here, the party literally enters people's homes.

The celebration also features the famous mask lunch in Piazza Robatti, including the gathering, the opening ceremony, and the parade. As is customary, the Lozzolo masks also participate in the carnivals of neighboring towns, exchanging gifts and bringing along bottles of local red wine, specially labeled for the occasion.

A living tradition in Upper Piedmont

The Lozzolo Carnival is part of the dense carnival calendar of the Valsesia and Upper Piedmont, a land where every municipality guards its own masks and rituals. Participating means discovering an authentic village carnival, far from the large tourist crowds, where conviviality, historical memory, and a sense of belonging are still the protagonists. It is the perfect opportunity to experience the province of Vercelli and Piedmont in its most genuine and popular form.