Pratiglione Carnival (Fagioli e Quaiette)

The Pratiglione Carnival

In the small town of Pratiglione, perched like a balcony overlooking the Canavese valleys in the Metropolitan City of Turin (Piedmont), the Carnival is one of the most cherished winter traditions. Organized by the Pratiglione Pro Loco, led by president Fausto Leonardi, the event retains an authentic, grassroots spirit that transforms the Salone polivalente Riccardo Genisio into a lively celebration of color, music, and taste.

Two days of festivities

The event spans an entire weekend. On Saturday, the 'Aperi Carnevale' kicks off the celebrations: a convivial aperitif with tasty, informal food, followed by a dance party that keeps the hall buzzing late into the night. The public participates with enthusiasm in the group costume theme, which changes every year, with participants showing great creativity in their outfits and decorations.

Sunday is dedicated to the culinary heart of the festival, featuring the traditional distribution of the dish that gives the event its name.

'Fagioli e Quaiette', the signature dish

'Fagioli e Quaiette' (in Piedmontese fasoi e quaiette) is a specialty rooted in the peasant traditions of the Canavese: a hearty soup of white beans slow-cooked with quaiette—rolled pork rinds rich in flavor. Once a nutritious, filling meal during the harsh winter months on the eve of Lent, the Pro Loco prepares and serves portions every year that consistently sell out, proving how central this recipe remains to the town's identity.

A community celebration

The Pratiglione Carnival is much more than a simple event; it is a gathering for the entire community, where generations come together around shared traditions. The strength of the festival lies in this familiar, local dimension—far from the scale of mass events, yet capable of renewing the bond between the inhabitants and their roots every year.

Among the historic Carnivals of the Canavese

The Carnival bean feast is a widespread tradition throughout the Canavese, where many towns offer their own versions of 'fat beans'. The Pratiglione edition stands out for its intimate and genuine atmosphere, making it one of the most authentic stops for those wishing to experience the Piedmontese Carnival away from the most crowded destinations.