Musical Traditions – A Sound Journey Through Roots and Memory

A sound journey through the roots of Val Borbera

In the small village of Cabella Ligure, in the province of Alessandria and in the mountainous heart of Piedmont, the new season of events opens with an appointment dedicated to the memory and identity of the territory. Musical Traditions – A Sound Journey Through Roots and Memory is an evening that weaves together folk music, storytelling, and the history of emigration, bringing back to life the sounds that for generations have accompanied the most important moments of Apennine community life.

The music of the Quattro Province

The stars of the evening are Stefano Valla and Daniele Scurati, considered a benchmark for the musical tradition of the so-called Quattro Province, the area that unites the mountainous territories of Alessandria, Genoa, Pavia, and Piacenza. Valla plays the piffero, the ancient wind instrument that gives voice to the festivals and dances of the Apennines, while Scurati accompanies him on the accordion. Their repertoire draws on dances, songs, and melodies handed down in the valleys of the Borbera, Trebbia, Staffora, and the Oltrepò—a living heritage that is constantly evolving rather than a museum piece.

Between roots, memory, and emigration

The common thread of the evening is the deep bond between music and the migratory history of Val Borbera, a land that has seen generations of departures for foreign countries and large cities. Through sounds, stories, and atmospheres, the audience is invited on a journey that unites those who stayed and those who left, rediscovering a shared identity.

The Documentation Center on Emigration

On the occasion of the event, the Documentation Center on Emigration from Val Borbera is open to the public, offering the chance to visit the permanent exhibition dedicated to the stories of those who left these mountains. The event is part of the national Roots Tourism project, promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and funded under the PNRR, which promotes Italian villages as destinations for tourism linked to family origins.

An appointment for the community

Organized by the Municipality of Cabella Ligure, the event is free of charge and is held in the Municipal Hall on Via Martiri della Libertà. It is the ideal opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Piedmontese Apennines, where musical tradition is not nostalgia, but a community that continues to play, dance, and share its story.