Pieve Fair and Youth Festival

One of the oldest traditions in the Bolognese plain

The Pieve Fair and Youth Festival is the identity event of Pieve di Cento, an elegant village in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, in Emilia-Romagna, bordering the Ferrara area along the old course of the Reno river. The event combines two celebrations with a very long history: the Fair of industry, craftsmanship, agriculture, and commerce and the Festival of Youth, whose progressive numbering far exceeds two hundred and sixty editions, a sign of centuries-old continuity that few events in the area can boast. In the Pieve dialect, the festival has always been the Festa di Zuvén, the festival of youth, linked to popular devotion to the Madonna del Buonconsiglio.

When it takes place

The event traditionally takes place on the occasion of the first Sunday of September, spanning the weekend of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The fair stalls and stands occupy via Gessi and via Melloni and extend into the historic center, with afternoon and evening hours that accompany visitors until late at night.

What to expect

For three days, the streets of the center are filled with artisans, merchants, and numerous gastronomic stands, while several stages host moments of musical entertainment and concerts. The typical program includes:

• Market and trade fair without product limitations along via Gessi and via Melloni;
• Street food area and gastronomic stands with the flavors of Emilian tradition;
• Concerts and live performances on multiple stages, the heart of the Festa di Zuvén;
• Exhibitions, cultural meetings, and workshops spread throughout the center;
• Special openings of museums, churches, and artisan workshops of Pieve di Cento;
• Guided tours and activities for children within the walls and arcades of the village.

A village to discover

The fair is also the ideal opportunity to visit Pieve di Cento, carefully rebuilt after the 2012 earthquake and known for its elegant arcaded center, the Collegiata di Santa Maria Maggiore, the Teatro Comunale, and its vibrant luthier and musical tradition. The official inauguration takes place in piazza Andrea Costa, with greetings from authorities, the ribbon cutting, and the accompaniment of the band. The event is organized by the Pro Loco of Pieve di Cento together with the Municipality and the Committee of Economic Operators, and represents one of the most heartfelt events of the entire Reno Galliera Union.