The great event dedicated to the return of the cattle to the valley is starting from today till Monday 21st September. A livestock parade is starting from the Mine and Federia Alpine huts and from Trepalle moving to the downtown streets of Livigno. The program also includes the first "Milking and Shearing Championship" and the 48th edition of the Agricultural Festival
Starting from today Livigno celebrates its peasant origins with Alpen Fest, a several-day festival dedicated to the transhumance of the livestock which returns to the valley from the grazing where it spends the whole summer. During the transhumance the cattle, which are adorned with precious cowbells and garlands of flowers, come down from the huts to return in the cattle shed. Animals are the protagonists of this unique event in Alta Valtellina.
The event begin today Wednesday, September 16 with the transhumance from the Mine Alpine hut, September 17 will be the turn of the Federia hut. The following morning starts from Eira Pass the livestock parade preceded by the folk group and the traditional band of Livigno. After the parade takes place a cattle exhibitions next to the Sport Pitch of Trepalle, where there will be the chance to taste typical alpine products. In the afternoon the farmers compete in the first Milking Championship that will proclaim the Best Breeder of Trepalle. September 19 starts the cattle parade from the central square of St. Maria accompanied by the band and the folk group of Livigno. At the same time another part of animals parades from San Rocco to the Cross Country Skiing Centre. After lunch, there is entertainment for all the guests with many recreational activities with typical agricultural activities such as milking and sheep shearing and the chance to visit the stands with Zero Food Miles products managed by Coldiretti. In the afternoon the breeders will compete in the first Milking and Shearing Championship that will proclaim the Best Breeder of Livigno.
On Sunday the party continues with an hiking excursion to the Alpine huts to enjoy a typical mountain lunch (reservations are required by September 18: Alpe Mine +39 0342 979345 - +39 346 7463596 - Alpe Federia +39 331 27 74 785 - 39 339 47 07 479). And after a day spent by visiting and enjoying the alpine traditions, at 17.00 is it aperitif time. The guests sipping an aperitif may attend the preparation of the cattle for the Agricultural festival which is scheduled for the following day. In the evening there is a cheeses' exhibition at Plaza Placheda with musical accompaniment of the Monteneve Choir of Livigno.
Monday, September 21, will be the turn of the 48th edition of the Agriculture Festival, an important event deeply rooted in the rural tradition of the valley, followed by the traditional dinner of the breeders. The festival is organized by the Latteria Livigno and Municipality of Livigno in collaboration with the Tourist Promotion Agency APT.
We want to make this festival important even for the tourism. - said Luca Moretti, president of Apt Livigno – That allows the farmers to gain visibility making appreciate their hard work in the mountains during the summer and their zero food miles products. Last year the cattle parade was a great success and that’s the reason because this year we decided to enhance it even more.
For those who want to attend the Alpen fest, APT Livigno offers a special stay package available under https://www.livigno.eu/en/offerte-speciali/alpen-fest