Valsesia Accordion Gathering

The Rimella Accordion Gathering

Every summer, the village of Rimella, in upper Valsesia (Province of Vercelli, Piedmont), comes alive with the Valsesia Accordion Gathering, an event organized by the Rimella Pro Loco that draws musicians from all over Piedmont. For two days, the accordion takes center stage: it is one of the instruments that best represents the musical culture of the alpine valleys, and here it finds its natural setting among the stone houses and pastures of the wild Val Mastallone.

A unique Walser village

Rimella is no ordinary village: it is one of the oldest Walser colonies in Valsesia, founded in the 13th century by shepherd families from the Swiss Valais. It is the only Walser community in Val Mastallone, and it still preserves its original Germanic language, tittschu, which has survived seven centuries of mountain isolation. At the heart of the village stands the church of San Michele Arcangelo, one of the most imposing in the entire Valsesia territory, where the characteristic blessing of the accordions is celebrated.

Music, conviviality, and tradition

The gathering is more than just a concert; it is a collective celebration where people play together, share traditional Valsesian cuisine, and renew an authentic bond with local customs. Folk melodies resonate through the mountains, offering residents and visitors the chance to hear talented musicians and experience a day immersed in the beauty of upper Valsesia.

• Gathering of accordion players from all over Piedmont
• Holy Mass with the blessing of the accordions
• Dinner and lunch under the Pro Loco marquee
• Folk music and mountain atmosphere

Now in its eighth edition, the Accordion Gathering has become a staple of the Rimella summer and a precious opportunity to discover a fascinating and lesser-known corner of Piedmont.