San Francesco tra Parole e Musica

A tribute to Saint Francis at the foot of Monviso

In the alpine village of Casteldelfino, in the upper Varaita Valley, the evocative Piazza Santi del Popolo hosts San Francesco tra Parole e Musica, an encounter that combines historical insight, musical performance, and dramatic reading. The event celebrates the Poverello d'Assisi in a particularly significant year: 2026 marks the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis, an anniversary observed throughout Italy's cultural programming.

The lecture and the performers

At the heart of the event is a lecture by Aldo Intagliata, who recounts the Saint's life following the pages of the first biographies written by Thomas of Celano, the friar who first chronicled Franciscan events and spirituality. The narrative thread is accompanied by the delicate sounds of Irene Munari's harp and the readings by Giorgio Lusso, which give voice to the texts and create a constant dialogue between word and sound.

Inside the "Canticle of the Creatures at the foot of Monviso"

The initiative is part of the summer festival "The Canticle of the Creatures resonates at the foot of Monviso", promoted by the Unione Montana Valle Varaita. The central theme is the famous Canticle of the Creatures by Saint Francis, explored through the natural elements the Saint praised — water, wind, earth, fire, and stars — in a calendar of over thirty events running from June to October across the valley's villages. Events such as The Canticle and Brother Sun at the Bellino Astronomical Observatory or The Canticle and Brother Wind in Pontechianale complete a journey that weaves together spirituality, nature, and alpine culture.

Casteldelfino and the Varaita Valley

Located in the Province of Cuneo, in Piedmont, Casteldelfino is one of the most characteristic villages of the upper Varaita Valley, a land of Occitan language and culture at the foot of Monviso. The mountain setting and the intimate historic center make this event an opportunity to experience a moment of reflection and beauty together, far from the hustle and bustle, immersed in the landscape of the Cottian Alps.

Who is it for?

• Enthusiasts of religious history and Franciscan spirituality
• Lovers of live music and dramatic readings
• Tourists and vacationers looking for cultural events at altitude
• Families and residents of the Varaita Valley