Occitan Dances in the Square

An afternoon of Occitan dancing under the bell tower

Every spring, the Church Square in Pino d'Asti comes alive for the Occitan Dances in the Square, an event organized by the Pro Loco that brings the vitality of traditional Occitan dances to this small village in the Lower Asti Monferrato. Here, in one of the smallest municipalities in the Province of Asti, located in the far northwest of the region near the border with the Province of Turin, dance becomes the true protagonist of the community for a few hours.

What are Occitan dances?

Occitan dances are one of the strongest identity markers of the Piedmont valleys: along with the language and traditions, they have represented a moment of gathering and celebration for centuries. Courente, bourrée, gigues, rigodons, and tresso are danced in pairs or groups to the sound of traditional instruments such as the accordion, clarinet, violin, organetto, and hurdy-gurdy. Since the 1990s, this culture has seen a major resurgence in interest, even among younger generations, thanks to musical groups that have successfully revitalized these ancient melodies.

Live music

The heart of the day is the live music, which guides the dancers step by step. The presence of an Occitan group on stage makes all the difference: it is not just background music, but a continuous dialogue between musicians and dancers, where every dance has its own rhythm, pace, and figures. Even those who do not know the steps are easily drawn in, because the spirit of these festivals is, above all, about sharing.

A village festival that brings the whole territory together

Despite being organized in a town of only a few hundred inhabitants, the event attracts a much wider audience: dancers and enthusiasts arrive from the Chieri and Chivasso areas, a sign of the close-knit network that unites folk dancers in Piedmont. It is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Asti Monferrato, far from the major tourist flows, and to experience a tradition that remains surprisingly alive.

Why it's worth it

• Free admission and a family atmosphere in a historic square.
• Live Occitan music and dancing with a specialized group.
• An opportunity to discover Pino d'Asti and the Lower Asti Monferrato.
• Suitable for both experienced dancers and curious beginners.