Portami Via Festival

A widespread festival among the hills of the Alta Langa

The Portami Via Festival is one of the most original cultural events in the town of Canelli, in the Province of Asti, in the heart of Piedmont. It is a widespread festival, which is not concentrated in a single square but is articulated across multiple stages and venues distributed throughout the villages of the Belbo and Bormida valleys: in addition to Canelli, the summer edition reaches Cassinasco, Santo Stefano Belbo, Vesime, and Bubbio, wine-growing landscapes recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The roots: partisan memory and democratic cultures

The festival was born to honor the memory of the Martyrs and fallen partisans of the "Falchetto" and "Caffi" groups in the Belbo and Bormida valleys. At the heart of the event are democratic cultures: anti-fascism, the Resistance, and the defense of the values of the Constitution. Each edition is built around a theme, explored through current affairs debates, screenings, readings, and musical moments involving writers, journalists, actors, philosophers, and musicians.

The artistic direction of Massimo Zamboni

The artistic direction is entrusted to Massimo Zamboni, a musician and writer among the founders of CCCP and CSI, and a key figure in the committed Italian cultural scene. His influence gives the festival a tone that is both rigorous and popular, capable of combining historical reflection with live experiences, including concerts, readings, and meetings.

A program that crosses the places of memory

The days of the Portami Via Festival take place in highly symbolic spaces: Piazza Cavour in Canelli, the Caffi Sanctuary in Cassinasco, the Excelsior partisan airport in Vesime, and the Monument to the Martyrs of the Falchetto in Santo Stefano Belbo. Visits to sites of the Resistance, exhibitions, theatrical performances, and concerts make up a journey that intertwines landscape, history, and music.

A free event open to all

Consistent with its civic vocation, the festival maintains free admission to all events. Organized by the Associazione Memoria Viva Canelli ODV, the Portami Via Festival is now a highly anticipated event in the Asti summer, an opportunity to rediscover the Alta Langa through culture, memory, and participation.