Tarluc Festival (Festo dou Tarluc)

The festival of the two suns in Pontebernardo

The Tarluc Festival, known in the Occitan language as Festo dou Tarluc, is one of the most evocative winter events in Valle Stura, in the heart of the Cuneo province, Piedmont. It takes place in the village of Pontebernardo, a hamlet of the municipality of Pietraporzio, and takes its name from a natural phenomenon as rare as it is poetic.

What is the tarluc

In the Occitan language spoken in these valleys, tarluc refers to the moment between November and February when the sun rises in the morning, disappears behind the peak of Mount Ubac, and then reappears in the afternoon. For the residents of Pontebernardo, it is like witnessing two sunrises and two sunsets in a single day: a gift of light during the coldest time of the year, long seen as a sign of hope and rebirth as the days slowly begin to lengthen.

Between Occitan culture and the pastoral world

The event is organized by the Ecomuseo della Pastorizia (Pastoralism Ecomuseum), managed by the Unione Montana Valle Stura, and is deeply rooted in the alpine and pastoral civilization of these lands. The program spans the Christmas holidays and features masses with traditional Occitan music, demonstrations of ancient crafts, workshops, and moments of conviviality that bring the culture of mountain villages back to life.

The festival program

The event kicks off on Christmas Eve night with Mass in the Church of the Assumption, accompanied by Occitan songs and music. The following days feature a variety of activities, including:

• Hiking and snowshoeing on the snowy trails around the village, often accompanied by tastings of local products;
• Demonstrations of wool shearing, carding, and spinning, as well as felt-making workshops, to discover the gestures of pastoral tradition up close;
• Children's workshops, such as shadow theater, and activities designed for families;
• Concerts featuring violin and storytelling, including the highly anticipated Chantar Natal musical event;
• Guided tours of the ecomuseum's exhibition path and photographic exhibitions dedicated to the life and women of the valley.

An authentic experience in the upper Valle Stura

The Tarluc Festival is not a large-scale fair, but an intimate and authentic experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the identity of a border territory where Occitan culture is still vibrant. All activities are free and take place in an alpine setting of rare beauty, just a few kilometers from the Maritime Alps Natural Park and the Maddalena Pass. For those seeking a different kind of Christmas, far from mass tourism, Pontebernardo offers the warmth of a mountain community and the magic of a sun that rises twice.