Death of Anita Hofer
Date of the event:
On 7 November 2026, the death was announced of Anita Hofer, 86, long-time organiser of the International Chimney Sweep Gathering of Santa Maria Maggiore, in Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.
On 7 November 2026, the community of Santa Maria Maggiore, in Valle Vigezzo, learned of the death of Anita Hofer, 86, a central figure of the International Chimney Sweep Gathering (Raduno Internazionale dello Spazzacamino) and coordinator of the town's Chimney Sweep Museum. The news caused grief in the local community and among the international community of chimney sweeps who have taken part in the Vigezzo gathering for years [1].
Her role in the gathering
Of German origin, Anita Hofer had begun her activity as an interpreter for the Associazione Nazionale Spazzacamini (National Chimney Sweeps Association), tasked with providing a linguistic and cultural link with delegates from Central and Northern Europe. This role grew into a long-standing collaboration with the association, which saw her become vice-president and coordinator of the Chimney Sweep Museum [1].
Together with the president of the Associazione Nazionale Spazzacamini, Livio Milani, Anita Hofer had helped steer both the world gathering and the museum towards international recognition [1].
Reactions
Claudio Cottini, mayor of Santa Maria Maggiore and president of the Regional Museum of Vigezzo Emigration in the World, said that the death of Anita Hofer leaves a void in the hearts of thousands of chimney sweeps, men and women who came from all over the world to take part in the gathering [1].
Sources
- Quotidiano Piemontese — 7 November 2026