News / 20.08.2019

MASSIVE SUCCESS FOR OUR DAL FEN FESTIVAL: A DIVE INTO THE PAST TO EXPERIENCE SOME OF LIVIGNO’S TRADITIONS


On Sunday, 18th August, Little Tibet took both the people of Livigno and tourists on a journey back in time with our Dal Fen Festival - so they could experience a time when the townspeople lived in close contact with nature and tradition.

Summer is synonymous with holidays and joy in Little Tibet. Besides our more traditional events, those which have been consolidated over the years, more are always being created and there is both the wish to develop something new and also relive those moments that pay tribute to the culture, tradition and most typical customs of the valley. Just last Sunday, 18th August, there was an event in Livigno which had been a resounding success in past years as it was this year, too.

In all likelihood it will form part of the summer schedule in Livigno for the next few years as well. The Dal Fen Festival took place under a stunning blue sky and beautiful sunshine to the rhythm of live music. It took those present back in time and enabled them to observe the most traditional hay cutting techniques up close.

To celebrate this ancient peasant art, the Livigno Folk Group brought different kinds of work as well as dances and games back to life, so those present were able to experience a real day from the past. A fashion show opened the event, involving both adults and children with clothes and haymaking equipment, who walked through the streets of the town, crossing the centre and shopping areas and amazing the tourists crowding Livigno.

After walking to MUS!, the Museum of Livigno and Trepalle, free shuttles took participants to the entrance to Val Federia, namely the resort of Plazecc, where the actual party kicked off. Here, guests ate lunch, danced and had enormous fun while a representation of hay cutting came to life before their very eyes. On this occasion, the hay was cut by hand, as it once was, by the older members of the community helped by both women and children, all wearing costumes and typical clothing.

The hay, cut by the elderly, was turned over and aired by the women in order to dry it, then raked up by youngsters who helped put it onto the “pezzon", namely large lengths of cloths. This made it possible to then place the hay onto the carts and take it into the stables.
Once hay cutting and harvesting had been completed, the children of the Livigno Folk Group danced, interpreting themed choreographies whilst holding their rakes and work tools. They then left the stage free for all those who wanted to try out our traditional ballroom dancing.
During the day, fun was guaranteed for all children with the the “badent d'un olta", games from the past, namely sliding across the freshly mown meadows on cardboard boxes, playing tug of war and jumping into piles of hay, just like the children who once went with their grandparents and parents to cut and gather the hay in the meadows of Livigno used to.



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