St Martin's Eve Vigil in Cerro Tanaro (2026)
Date of the event:
The Veglia di San Martino (St Martin's Vigil) takes place on 13 November 2026 at 9pm in the Church of the Confraternity of the Holy Trinity (Chiesa della Confraternita della Santissima Trinità) in Cerro Tanaro, in the Asti area (Astigiano). The event opens the calendar celebrating the 25th anniversary of the «Cuntè Munfrà – dal Monferrato al mondo» series, promoted by the Municipality of Cerro Tanaro and the Casa degli Alfieri [1].
The vigil
The evening is dedicated to the "Capodanno Contadino" (peasant New Year), tied to the feast of St Martin, which falls on 11 November: in rural tradition, this was when, with the summer's work finished, gatherings in the stables would begin and continue until March, coinciding with the Annunciation to Mary and the resumption of pruning [1]. Taking part are artists and storytellers who have worked with Luciano Nattino in the tradition of oral and popular storytelling, including the Faber Teater, storyteller Claudio Zanotto Contino and native Piedmontese-speaking actor Fabio Fassio, who share stories, songs and dances with the audience [1]. The evening includes a communal moment with wine or mulled wine and chestnuts, as well as activities such as sewing or crocheting, in keeping with the old community vigils [1]. Artistic director Massimo Barbero recalled that the previous year, for All Saints' Day, the series had staged the evening «Parlandone da vivi», dedicated to Piedmontese and Occitan popular traditions linked to St Martin [1].
Programme and organisers
Admission to the vigil is free. Further events for the 25th anniversary of «Cuntè Munfrà – dal Monferrato al mondo» are planned until the end of the year, with theatre, music and folk dance, talks and memory workshops following the rural ritual calendar, culminating on 12 December in Asti with the awarding of the «Gente di parola» prize [1]. The series is supported by the Piedmont Region, Fondazione CRT and Fondazione CRAsti, in partnership with Astigiani and the Ente Turismo LMR [1].
Sources
- ATnews — 9 November 2026