Vigone Carnival

The Vigone Carnival

The Vigone Carnival is one of the most heartfelt winter events in the plains south of Turin. Every year, during the first weeks of January, the town of Vigone, in the Province of Turin, Piedmont, leads the way for the Pinerolo carnival season, attracting masked groups and floats from all the neighboring towns. The festival is organized with great dedication by the Pro Loco of Vigone, which revived this tradition after a few years of suspension, restoring a Carnival of participation, irony, and local identity to the town.

The historic masks: Cunt Rugnun and Bela Isidora

The symbolic heart of the festival lies in the historic Vigone masks: Cunt Rugnun and Bela Isidora, accompanied by the figures of Zucchea Monsu Cusot and Madama Cusa, along with their pages and ladies-in-waiting. According to tradition, the masks lay siege to the Town Hall and obtain the keys to the city from the mayor: a playful ritual that marks the beginning of the Carnival reign and kicks off the festivities. Before the siege, the masks visit retirement homes and community centers, bringing a smile to those unable to attend the parade.

The festival program

The Vigone Carnival typically spans a weekend packed with events:

• Gathering and visits by the masks in Piazza Clemente Corte and at local facilities;
• Siege of the Town Hall and presentation of the city keys in the Piazza del Palazzo Civico;
• Investiture dinner with music and dancing, bringing together masks from the Pinerolo and Saluzzo areas;
• Parade of allegorical floats through the town center, featuring historic local groups;
• Distribution of bugie and hot chocolate, with entertainment and music for families and children.

Groups that usually enliven the parade include the Desbela of Scalenghe, the Amici di Piobesi, the Teste Mate of Villafalletto, the Maraiun of Racconigi, and the Amici del Pellice of Cavour, in addition to the La Vigoneisa band, local youth groups, and the Marameo nursery school.

A Pinerolo tradition

The Vigone Carnival is part of the rich calendar of Piedmontese carnival celebrations, among which famous events like the Ivrea Carnival stand out. Vigone offers an authentic village festival experience, where the community gathers around its own masks and floats. Even when bad weather forces the postponement of the parade, the Pro Loco proposes alternative solutions, such as a static carnival with floats on display, a testament to the Vigone people's attachment to this tradition.

Why attend

For those looking to discover the authentic Carnival of the Turin plains, far from the major tourist events, Vigone offers a genuine experience: historic masks, allegorical floats, traditional gastronomy, and the warm welcome of a small Piedmontese town. It is the perfect opportunity to experience local folklore as a family.