Barboiras: a long-bearded Alpine Carnival

26 years since its last edition, the Alpine Carnival of Villaro is back on February 24th and 25th! A true rediscovery of this ancient Occitan winter festival that has been documented since the early twentieth century.

The name Barbòiras - Vilar’s carnival - comes from the long-bearded masks worn by some of the festival's characters. It is a pagan ritual symbolizing rebirth and fertility, celebrating the end of Winter.

The program will begin on Friday, February 24th with lhi manhins - playful and humorous characters central part of this Alpine Carnival - which will tour the village of Acceglio and will then go on with the evening festivities to be held in the restaurant Il Borgo Villa Portichetto with dinner and music starting at 8pm.

Acceglio is the last village in Maira Valley surrounded by high mountains - Cottian Alps sometimes exceeding 3000 m - at the border with France. The town is situated on the banks of the river from which the valley takes its name.

On Saturday, February 25th at 5pm, in the heart of Borgata Villaro, in a historic and traditional Alpine building not yet renovated, an exhibition titled Las barbòiras of Vilar - People, history and traditions of the ancient Villaro Carnival in Acceglio. The works, created by artists Piero and Sara Benedetto, show the main characters who made up the great Company of Acceglio’s carnival, made with recycled materials artistically reworked and adapted to traditional Barbòiras. Along with the exhibition, the display of original photographs of the Alpine Carnival’s latest edition which dates back to 1991.

Great show at 9.30pm in loc. Frere with the concert GRAND BAL DUB by Sergio Berardo and Madaski.

Le Marmotte, Il Portichetto, Hotel Londra, The Ciarbonet, Mistral and the Locanda di Chialvetta propose a food-and-wine evening upon reservation.

For more Information: Espaci Occitan di Dronero, tel +39 0171 904 075, segreteria@espaci-occitan.org, Facebook @museooccitan