Watermelon Festival

The Watermelon Festival in Varallo

The Watermelon Festival is a cultural event dedicated to Palestinian history and culture, held in Varallo, a landmark city in the Valsesia valley in the Province of Vercelli, Northern Piedmont. The event takes place at Palazzo d'Adda, in the central Piazza Antonini, transforming the elegant historic building into a space for meeting, learning, and exchange.

A watermelon as a symbol

The festival's name refers to the watermelon, which has become an international symbol of solidarity with Palestine due to its colors—red, green, white, and black—which mirror those of the Palestinian flag. The day is built around this symbol, weaving together meetings, debates, books, art, cuisine, literature, crafts, and traditions from Palestine.

Exhibitions, meetings, and culture

The heart of the day is the exhibition "Qui resteremo", dedicated to life and resistance in Gaza, which remains open throughout the event. Alongside the exhibition, the program features morning and afternoon sessions with speakers from the worlds of activism, independent research, and civil engagement. There are also dedicated areas for books, crafts, and traditional cuisine, allowing visitors to connect with Palestinian culture through its flavors and daily wisdom.

Organizers

The festival is promoted by the ANPI Provincial Committee of Vercelli in collaboration with the Valsesia for Palestine network, involving various local associations and cultural groups. It is a highly participatory event focused on raising awareness, open to the entire community.

Varallo and the Valsesia valley

Hosting the Watermelon Festival in Varallo means bringing an international theme to a mountain setting rich in history and culture. Known for its Sacro Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its deep connection to Alpine traditions, Varallo reaffirms its commitment to being a place of dialogue and openness, bridging local Piedmontese heritage with a global perspective.