Sant Marcelin Fair

One of the oldest fairs in the Occitan valleys

The Sant Marcelin Fair is one of the most deeply rooted and anticipated events in the Upper Valle Maira, in the heart of the Occitan Piedmont. It takes place every year in Macra, a small municipality in the Province of Cuneo, on the last weekend of April, to celebrate the patron saint Saint Marcellinus (known in the Occitan language as "Sant Marcelin"). Now in its 178th edition, this historic fair weaves together popular devotion, rural tradition, craftsmanship, and mountain gastronomy.

The anchovy sellers of Valle Maira

The true heart and identity of the event lies in the memory of the acciugai (in Occitan, "anchoiers"), the traveling anchovy merchants who set off on foot from Valle Maira toward the plains and cities of all Italy to sell their goods. This ancient trade, born from the poverty and seasonal migration of these alpine valleys, has become a symbol of Occitan pride and resilience. The fair celebrates this history with meetings, exhibitions, and a traditional dedicated dish, the "Dinar a la moda de li Anchois".

Occitan music and living culture

The soundtrack of the Sant Marcelin Fair is Occitan music. Traditionally, on Saturday night, the heated marquee hosts a concert by Lou Dalfin, the iconic band of the Occitan folk revival in the Cuneo valleys, followed by a late-night DJ set. Sunday afternoon is dedicated to the Grand Occitan Dance, with traditional dances involving both visitors and locals. The event also features musical walks along the Sentiero dei Ciclamini (Cyclamen Trail), photography exhibitions, and storytelling sessions focused on alpine culture.

A program of nature, flavors, and crafts

The program spans two intense days. Saturday kicks off with nature walks, the Macra Wild Run, cheese-making and beekeeping workshops, exhibitions, and a suggestive torchlight procession. Sunday is marked by Holy Mass in honor of the patron saint, a procession, a market featuring crafts and local products, a traditional lunch, and activities for families and children, culminating in the afternoon's Occitan dance.

An event for the territory

Organized by the Pro Loco Rupicapra with the support of the municipalities of Macra and Celle di Macra, the fair is now a key moment for the promotion and repopulation of Valle Maira, one of the most fascinating and fragile alpine areas in Piedmont. The event is part of the broader Terres Monviso territorial project, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Admission is free; lunches and dinners are paid.