Waldensian Festival
The Bonfire of Freedom and the February 17th celebrations in Pomaretto
About Waldensian Festival
The Waldensian Festival in Pomaretto
In the municipality of Pomaretto, located in the Germanasca Valley at the gateway to the Waldensian Valleys of the Province of Turin, the Waldensian Festival on February 16th and 17th is far more than a mere anniversary: it is the beating heart of a community that has inhabited these Pinerolo mountains for centuries. Also known as the festival of freedom or the February 17th celebrations, it blends historical memory, faith, and local tradition.
Historical Significance: 1848 and the Letters Patent
The festival commemorates February 17, 1848, the day King Charles Albert signed the Letters Patent granting civil and political rights to the Waldensians (and shortly after, to the Jews), effectively ending centuries of discrimination and persecution. When news reached the valleys, residents lit bonfires of joy on the hillsides; since then, the bonfire of freedom has become the ultimate symbol of this achievement, rekindled every year on the eve of the anniversary.
The Great Bonfire of Pomaretto
The Pomaretto bonfire is traditionally one of the most impressive in the Waldensian Valleys: a pyramid-shaped structure of timber and brushwood standing over thirteen meters high, the result of weeks of work by local volunteers. On the evening of February 16th, a torchlight procession departs from the Waldensian Temple to reach the fields in front of the sports facilities, where the pyre is ignited amidst songs, prayers, and glasses of mulled wine.
The Costume Parade and the February 17th Service
The morning of February 17th takes on a more solemn, religious tone: processions set out from the Temple of Pomaretto and from Fleccia (Inverso Pinasca), accompanied by local marching bands. Women wear the traditional Waldensian costume, and the procession concludes at the temple for a thanksgiving service. The day continues with a community lunch and, in the evening, a performance by the Waldensian amateur theater group at the Pomaretto theater.
A Festival Open to All
While deeply rooted in the history of the Waldensian community, the festival has always been an inclusive gathering: other Christian denominations, non-believers, and local authorities participate in the celebrations, which in Pomaretto are intertwined with those of the neighboring towns of Perosa Argentina, Inverso Pinasca, and Torre Pellice.
Waldensian Festival — edition 2026
16 febbraio 2026 — Il falò della libertà
Alle 19:30 una fiaccolata commemorativa è partita dal Tempio Valdese di Pomaretto per raggiungere i prati di fronte agli impianti sportivi, dove intorno alle 20:00 è stato acceso il tradizionale falò, quest'anno alto più di tredici metri.
17 febbraio 2026 — Cortei, culto e pranzo
- 8:30 — Partenza dei cortei da Fleccia (Inverso Pinasca) e dal Tempio di Pomaretto, con le bande musicali di Inverso Pinasca e di Pomaretto.
- 10:00 — Culto nel Tempio di Pomaretto con predicazione della pastora Ulrike Jourdan.
- 12:30 — Pranzo comunitario al salone polivalente di Inverso Pinasca.
- 20:45 — Al teatro valdese di Pomaretto, la Filodrammatica presenta la commedia brillante "Folli, sempre folli, fortissimamente folli" di Roberto Bencivenga.
Programme Waldensian Festival 2026
Lunedì 16 febbraio 2026
- 19:30 — Fiaccolata in partenza dal Tempio Valdese di Pomaretto verso i prati degli impianti sportivi.
- 20:00 — Accensione del grande falò della libertà (oltre 13 metri di altezza), con canti, vin brûlé e momenti di raccoglimento.
Martedì 17 febbraio 2026
- 8:30 — Cortei in partenza da Fleccia (Inverso Pinasca) e dal Tempio di Pomaretto, accompagnati dalle bande musicali di Inverso Pinasca e di Pomaretto; le donne indossano il tradizionale costume valdese.
- 10:00 — Culto nel Tempio Valdese di Pomaretto con predicazione della pastora Ulrike Jourdan.
- 12:30 — Pranzo comunitario al salone polivalente di Inverso Pinasca.
- 20:45 — Teatro Valdese di Pomaretto: la Filodrammatica mette in scena la commedia brillante "Folli, sempre folli, fortissimamente folli" di Roberto Bencivenga.
Highlights Waldensian Festival 2026
Prices Waldensian Festival 2026
Practical information — Waldensian Festival
When
The bonfire is lit on the evening of February 16th; the parade, service, and celebrations take place on February 17th.
Where
Waldensian Temple of Pomaretto (Germanasca Valley, Province of Turin) and the fields in front of the sports facilities for the bonfire. The community lunch is held at the multi-purpose hall in Inverso Pinasca.
How to get there
Pomaretto can be reached from Pinerolo by following the SR23 and then the SP169 towards the Germanasca Valley, about an hour from Turin. The evening torchlight procession and bonfire attract many visitors; arriving early is recommended.
Costs
Participation in the bonfire and parade is free. The evening theater performance and community lunch may require a contribution or reservation; it is best to check with the Waldensian Church of Pomaretto.
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Where does it take place — Waldensian Festival
Tempio Valdese di Pomaretto
Via Carlo Alberto, 10063 Pomaretto