Associazione culturale Astigiani
The Associazione culturale Astigiani is an organisation based in Asti that publishes the magazine Astigiani and promotes cultural and food-related initiatives linked to the Asti area. Among the events devised and promoted by the association is the Bagna Cauda Day, the largest collective event dedicated to bagna càuda [1][2].
The Bagna Cauda Day
The Bagna Cauda Day, devised and promoted by the Associazione culturale Astigiani, reached its fourteenth edition in 2026, held over two weekends, 20-22 November and 27-29 November, with more than 160 venues taking part, including restaurants, osterie, farm holiday venues (agriturismi) and wineries [1][2]. The 2026 event was presented on 9 November at Fuoriluogo Asti, with the motto «This bib sets us free» [1]. Alongside it runs the Bagna della Merla, scheduled for 29-31 January 2027 [1][2].
The 2026 edition also involved a network of Piedmontese and Italians living abroad, the so-called «Germogli Astigiani» ("Astigiani sprouts"), who organised events dedicated to bagna càuda in Senegal, France, Estonia, Spain, Hungary and Canada; their accounts were featured in issue 56 of the Astigiani magazine [1]. The event also involved international restaurants in New York, Berlin, Wuhan, Shanghai and Tokyo [2].
Testa d'Aj Awards
As part of the Bagna Cauda Day the association presents the Testa d'Aj ("garlic head") Awards. In 2026 the ceremony is set for Sunday 29 November at Palco 19 on via Ospedale in Asti, honouring four figures: actor Moni Ovadia, cook Mariuccia Ferrero of the San Marco restaurant in Canelli, actress Chiara Buratti, and Asti-based artist Stefano "Pedro" Porro, who also created the edition's symbolic image, the Bavagliolone 2026 [2]. The award consists of an artistic reproduction of a garlic head made by artist Roberto Giovannetti [2]. The same day, 29 November, also includes the theatre show "Lezioni di umorismo. Per una critica della ragion umoristico-paradossale" by Moni Ovadia and Elisa Savi, at Palco 19 [2].
Timeline
- — Asti presents the Bagna Cauda Day 2026, the 14th edition of the event, involving more than 160 venues and events across five continents over the weekends of 20-22 and 27-29 November. ATnews TorinoOggi
Sources
- ATnews — 9 November 2026
- TorinoOggi — 10 November 2026