Scopello Alpini Festival

The annual festival of the Valsesia Penne Nere

The Scopello Alpini Festival is the annual gathering of the local Alpini Group, bringing together the Penne Nere of Scopello, Pila, and Piode in the heart of Valsesia, in the Piedmont province of Vercelli. It is one of those milestones that mark life in small mountain villages: a moment of reflection to honor the fallen of all wars, but also an occasion for community celebration that draws in Alpini, their families, and local residents.

Between memory and community

The core of the day is remembrance. The morning begins with the wreath-laying ceremony at the Pila War Memorial, followed by the flag-raising ceremony and the Holy Mass in suffrage of the fallen of all wars, celebrated in Scopello. The tribute to the fallen, marked by the laying of a floral wreath, precedes the parade through the village streets, accompanied by the notes of the Scopello-Pila marching band, which has always provided the musical accompaniment for the event.

The alpine lunch

As per the tradition of alpine festivals, the day concludes around the table with the alpine lunch at the Scopello community center: a convivial meal that is an integral part of the Penne Nere identity, where camaraderie and friendship are renewed year after year. Reservations are required for the lunch.

Scopello and Valsesia

The festival takes place in Scopello, a town in Valsesia nestled at the foot of Monte Rosa, in one of the most fascinating alpine valleys in Piedmont. Popular in winter for the Alpe di Mera ski slopes and in summer for hiking, Valsesia maintains a deep bond with alpine culture and the Alpini corps, which is deeply rooted in these valleys. Attending the Scopello Alpini Festival is a unique way to experience the authenticity of a mountain community and its values of solidarity and remembrance.