Paolo Mattio Piedmontese Theatre Festival
Five Saturday nights of dialect comedy in the heart of the Varaita Valley
About Piedmontese Theatre Piasco
A tradition that speaks Piedmontese
The Paolo Mattio Piedmontese Theatre Festival is one of the most cherished cultural events of the winter in Piasco, a small town in the Varaita Valley, province of Cuneo. Established in 1996, the festival brings dialect comedies from the best amateur troupes in Piedmont to the stage of the Sala Polivalente Dottor Serra, offering the audience five evenings of genuine popular theatre, filled with misunderstandings, sharp wit, and that local charm that only the Piedmontese language can convey.
Dedicated to Paolo Mattio
Since 2025, the event has been named in memory of Paolo Mattio, the former deputy mayor of Piasco and creator of the festival, who passed away in July 2024 at the age of 64. It was he who, nearly thirty years ago, envisioned a theatre programme in Piedmontese capable of keeping the local language and traditions alive. Today, his dream is carried forward by his wife, Agnese Garnero, together with the Pro Loco of Piasco and the municipal administration, who carefully select the companies and plays each year.
Brilliant comedies and local troupes
The programme brings together amateur groups from all over Piedmont: from the Langhe to the Saluzzo area, from Moncalieri to Carmagnola and the Fossano region. These are highly experienced amateur companies that perform comic plays in dialect, often written specifically for popular theatre, featuring lighthearted yet skillfully crafted plots. The evenings, which are always well-attended, turn the hall into a meeting place for the residents of Piasco and the surrounding villages.
Theatre as an act of solidarity
A distinctive feature of the festival is its charitable soul: the entire proceeds from ticket and subscription sales are donated each year to an association or a solidarity project. In recent years, the funds raised have supported local initiatives in the Cuneo area and international cooperation projects, confirming how, in Piasco, the joy of theatre translates into a concrete gesture of generosity.
Piasco and the Varaita Valley
Nestled at the mouth of the Varaita Valley, Piasco is also famous for being the home of Salvi harps, manufactured here and exported worldwide. Attending the Piedmontese Theatre Festival is an excellent opportunity to discover this corner of the province of Cuneo, amidst the charm of the dialect, the hospitality of the Pro Loco, and the flavours of Piedmontese mountain cuisine.
Piedmontese Theatre Piasco — edition 2026
The thirtieth edition confirmed the success of one of the longest-running dialect theatre festivals in the province of Cuneo. Five events, all on Saturdays at 9:00 PM at the Sala Polivalente Dottor Serra, brought five amateur companies from Piedmont to Piasco with brilliant comedies in the Piedmontese language.
The net proceeds, amounting to approximately 4,000 euros, were donated to the Papa Giovanni XXIII Association to support the Il Casolare cooperative, active in the Piasco and Costigliole Saluzzo area. A result that confirms the charitable spirit of the event, supported by Agnese Garnero, widow of the founder Paolo Mattio, together with the Pro Loco and the Municipality.
Programme Piedmontese Theatre Piasco 2026
Saturday, January 31 — N'euv'd doi ross
- 9:00 PM — Il Nostro Teatro Company (Sinio)
Saturday, February 7 — Alla pensione dell'Uovo Dorato
- 9:00 PM — J'Amis del Borg APS Company (Moncalieri)
Saturday, February 14 — Merceria Tote Poutosse. Boton, liasse... e lengasse!
- 9:00 PM — J'Amis del Teatro Company (Carmagnola)
Saturday, February 21 — Il padre della sposa
- 9:00 PM — Scrussia Company (Pianfei)
Saturday, February 28 — Tüt per 'n mort
- 9:00 PM — La Corte dei Folli Company (Fossano)
Highlights Piedmontese Theatre Piasco 2026
Five comedies in Piedmontese with as many local companies, from the opening night on January 31 with Il Nostro Teatro of Sinio to the closing on February 28 with La Corte dei Folli of Fossano. A record edition for charity: approximately 4,000 euros donated to the Papa Giovanni XXIII Association.
Prices Piedmontese Theatre Piasco 2026
Practical information — Piedmontese Theatre Piasco
Location
Sala Polivalente Dottor Serra, Piasco (CN), Varaita Valley. All performances begin at 9:00 PM on Saturday nights.
How to get there
By car from Cuneo or Saluzzo along the Varaita Valley road; Piasco is approximately 25 km from Cuneo and 8 km from Saluzzo. The most convenient train station is Saluzzo, which is connected by bus.
Tickets
Single ticket 8 euros, subscription for all five shows 35 euros. Advance tickets are available at the Piasco Civic Library in the afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:30 PM). It is recommended to check with the Municipality or the Pro Loco for the exact dates when advance sales begin.
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Where does it take place — Piedmontese Theatre Piasco
Sala Polivalente Dottor Serra