Montà Carnival — Return of the Urs (Fè balè l'ors)

The Montà Carnival and the return of the Urs

In the heart of the Roero region, in the province of Cuneo, the Municipality of Montà has revived one of its most cherished carnival traditions: the return of the Urs, the bear mask that, according to local memory, had not been seen in town since the 1950s. The dialect expression «fè balè l'ors» — «making the bear dance» — encapsulates an ancient ritual of costumes, pranks, and a community gathering in the square and its iconic spots to celebrate together.

A festival that recovers Montà's roots

The initiative is promoted by the Municipality of Montà and coordinated by the Ecomuseo delle Rocche del Roero, an institution that has long preserved and promoted the cultural identity of this corner of Piedmont. The Carnival thus becomes not only a moment of fun but also an educational opportunity: children are told the history and traditions of the Montà Carnival, from the historic masks to ancient village rituals like the famous mask bonfire that, until the 1970s and 80s, marked the end of Shrove Tuesday in the old parish square.

The historic masks: Monsù Barlat and Tota Celestina

Alongside the Urs, the town's historic figures return to the spotlight: Monsù Barlat and Tota Celestina, masks that embody the good-natured, ironic spirit of the Roero Carnival. During the official ceremony, they symbolically receive the keys to the town, kicking off the Carnival season—a time for the joyful subversion of rules typical of this popular festival.

Program and atmosphere

The day takes place in the courtyard of the Montà primary school and focuses on children. Scheduled highlights include:

• a welcome breakfast with bugie (carnival fritters) and cookies;
• the official ceremony of handing over the town keys to the masks;
• magic shows, comedy acts, and puppet theater;
• workshops and storytelling dedicated to the history of the Montà Carnival, curated by the Ecomuseo delle Rocche.

Why it's worth attending

More than just a parade, the Montà Carnival is the living story of a community reconnecting with its own memory. The return of the Urs is a small but significant event for the Roero region: a way to introduce new generations to the masks, dialects, and rituals of an authentic Piedmont, far from the major tourist circuits and deeply tied to its territory.