Pust - The Carnival of the Natisone Valleys

The most mysterious carnival in Friuli

Nestled in the mountains bordering Slovenia, the Natisone Valleys — known as Benečija in Slovene — preserve one of the oldest and most fascinating carnivals in the Alps: Pust. This is not a carnival of allegorical floats, but an ancient ritual featuring masks with an ancestral feel, born from a Slovene-Friulian culture layered over centuries. The event involves the entire valley, from the municipalities of Pulfero and San Pietro al Natisone to the small hamlets scattered on the hillsides.

The masks of the valley

Pust is an extraordinary parade of traditional masks, each associated with a specific village: the famous Blumarji of Montefosca, who run in their white costumes to awaken the earth for spring; the brightly colored Pustje of Rodda; the rooster and hen of Mersino; the tin face masks of Stregna; the liepe (the "beautiful ones") of Montemaggiore with their characteristic floral hats; and the spectacular wicker masks of Clodig. A living heritage that makes Pust an ethnographic event of inestimable value.

Two days of celebration

The event unfolds over a weekend in February: Saturday evening features a dance party and the award ceremony for the best masks, while Sunday includes a gathering of the groups in the morning and the grand parade in the afternoon. Live music, DJ sets, and traditional groups accompany the festivities, while a large heated tent with a food and wine stall welcomes participants.

An event for all of Benečija

Pust is organized by the Associazione I Bancinari as part of the Benečija calendar, in collaboration with the communities and municipalities of the Natisone Valleys. It is much more than a carnival: it is the moment when an entire territory reaffirms its identity and language, in a collective ritual that has announced the rebirth of spring for generations.