Saint Anthony Abbot Festival

Bedero Valcuvia's Most Cherished Festival

The Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot is the most beloved event in Bedero Valcuvia, a small municipality in the Valcuvia valley, in the province of Varese. Although the parish church is dedicated to Saint Hilary, it is the Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot in January that is most deeply felt by the community, drawing hundreds of people through ancient rites and conviviality.

The Halberd and the Capifesta

At the heart of the tradition is the figure of the capifesta (festival organizers): each year, some young people from the village take charge of the organization, visiting residents' homes to collect offerings and encourage participation, following an ancient custom. On Saturday evening, the ancient halberd makes its entrance into the square: a symbol of the festival, it carries ribbons with the names of those who have held this role over the decades, a true handover of civic memory.

The Rite of the Lanternino and the Procession

Among the most evocative moments is the Rite of the Lanternino. On Sunday, the tradition continues with the blessing of the animals on the church parvis and, in the afternoon, with the procession carrying the statue and relic of the saint through the village streets, accompanied by the band's music. The festival concludes, as tradition dictates, with the auction of baskets and the lottery draw.

A Tradition That Lives On

What makes this festival special is its ability to renew itself: it is the young people who keep this centuries-old tradition alive, uniting generations around the rites, devotion, and sense of belonging. A precious example of how village festivals preserve the identity of small communities, here in the heart of Valcuvia, in the province of Varese.