White Carnival of Cegni

The Carnival Celebrated in Mid-August

In Cegni, a small hamlet of Santa Margherita di Staffora, in the province of Pavia and in the heart of the Alto Oltrepò, something unusual happens: Carnival is celebrated twice a year. One in winter, on Shrove Saturday, and one in summer, on August 16th, when the famous White Carnival takes place. A double celebration that makes Cegni one of the most unique places of Lombard folklore.

Why "White" and Why in August

The decision to have a second Carnival arose in the seventies. The depopulation of mountain villages, accelerated by the economic boom, prevented many emigrants from returning home in February for the winter festival. It was therefore decided to celebrate a second one in mid-summer, when the village repopulates. It is called "White" because, at the behest of the parish priest at the time, masks that covered the face were forbidden: the protagonists thus perform with their faces uncovered.

The Wedding Between 'Il Brutto' and 'La Povera Donna'

The heart of the festival is the comic representation of the wedding between two symbolic characters: 'il Brutto', who flaunts exaggerated wealth with flashy clothes and colorful ribbons, and 'la Povera Donna', humbly dressed with an apron and shawl and traditionally played by a man. It is an amusing parody rich in meaning, accompanied by the typical dances and songs of the Quattro Province (the border area between Pavia, Alessandria, Genoa, and Piacenza), with the sound of the 'piffero' (a type of oboe) and the accordion.

A Living and Identity Tradition

The White Carnival of Cegni attracts about a thousand visitors each year, drawn by one of the most authentic performances in the Lombard Apennines. For those exploring the Oltrepò Pavese in summer, ascending to this mountain village to witness the festival is an experience that tells, better than a thousand words, the culture of the Quattro Province.