Opening of the Biella Carnival — Pettirosso and Capinera

The first carnival in the Biella area

In Occhieppo Inferiore, a small town in the Province of Biella in the heart of Piedmont, the Carnival does not begin on Shrove Tuesday but much earlier: on January 6th, the day of the Epiphany. It is here that the Circolo il Pettirosso renews a consolidated tradition every year, officially declaring the carnival season open for the entire Biella territory. As the popular saying goes, "the Epiphany takes all the holidays away," but in Occhieppo, the exact opposite happens: the Epiphany brings the Carnival.

The masks: Pettirosso and Capinera

The absolute stars of the day are the town's two official masks: the Pettirosso, affectionately called "Picio ross" in the local dialect, and the Capinera. As symbolic figures of local identity, they are portrayed by local residents and represent the heart of an event that unites multiple generations. A true community of historical and folk characters gathers around them, with official masks arriving from numerous cities in Piedmont and neighboring regions.

A club with over seventy years of history

The Circolo il Pettirosso, founded in 1954, is one of the most deeply rooted associations in Occhieppo Inferiore. In addition to opening the Carnival, the association organizes the gathering of Piedmontese masks and the summer festival of San Carlo in Graglia, confirming its role as a reference point for promoting local popular traditions. The club's headquarters are located on Via Rossini, the starting point for the inaugural day every year.

A day of tradition

The event follows a well-established script: the morning gathering of costumed characters at the Club, the costumed Holy Mass in the parish church of Sant'Antonino, the parade to the multi-purpose hall, and, in the afternoon, the official presentation of the guest groups and masks. It is a convivial and family-friendly occasion, deeply tied to the culture of the Biella area, which attracts curious visitors, enthusiasts, and families to the center of Occhieppo Inferiore.