Events08 February 2017

Baìo: reliving one-thousand-year old traditions while enjoying Varaita Valley's beautiful landscape

Baìo is a historical representation taking place in Sampeyre and surrounding villages held every five years, in years ending in 2 and 7, during the weeks leading up to Carnival.

Baìo is a historical representation taking place in Sampeyre - and other villages that are part of the municipality - to commemorate the expulsion of Saracens, which occurred around the year 1000 – several historical sources report it between the year 975 and 980.
On that occasion, inhabitants of each village formed small armies and joined together to push away the common enemy.

There are four Baìo: the Baìo of Rore, Calchesio, Villar and Sampeyre - all in Cuneo province and stunning Varaita Valley.
The representation is held every five years, in years ending in 2 and 7, during the weeks leading up to Carnival.

1^st Sunday: February 12^th, 2017
The representation begins the third last Sunday before Carnival. On the first Baìo Sunday, Sampeyre, Villar Rore celebrate each in their own village, while that of Calchesio parades toward Sampeyre.

2^nd Sunday: February 19^th, 2017
On the second Sunday, Rore, Villar and Calchesio all converge in Sampeyre, where they are expected by Baìo of Sampeyre.

Tuesday: February 23^rd, 2017
All villages the Treasurer and Secretary of Baìo’s trial are celebrated: tradition has it that the was taken by greed and attempted to escape with the community treasure, thanks to the complicity of the Secretary. In Sampeyre, in Rore and Calchesio the trial ends forgiving both the Treasurer and Secretary: not so in Villar, where they are both executed instead.

Baìo 2017 will be attended by over 300 figures with traditional names and costumes, in the roles of: Abà, Tezourìe, Segretari, Portobandiero, Tenent, Alum, Uzuart, Moru, Turc, Cantinìe, Arlequin, Espous, Signouri, Sarazine, Segnurine, Sounadour, Sapeur, Grec, Tambourin, Viei e Vieio.

Learn the details of all the Baìo here.

The event will take place during approximately the following times: