Carnival: a playful, amusing moment that hides traditions and meanings that we often forget. And that often falls during a time of year when love is celebrated. For this reason, the ancient tradition of the Lachera, the very special carnival that is celebrated every year in Rocca Grimalda, in the province of Alessandria, a few kilometers from Ovada, appears even more romantic.

Parading through the streets of the town is in fact a full-blown wedding procession, which crosses the village among the cheering crowds to the rhythm of songs and dances, wrapped in flowers and colored ribbons, applause from the public, pops, jingling of bells and traditional choreography .
Legend had it that the Rocca Grimalda carnival recalled the opposition of the people to the ius primae noctis that the lord of the town demanded of young brides. The truth, however, is that it is a carnival rite to propitiate fertility, linked to ancient agricultural traditions: a festive greeting to spring, the rebirth of life at the end of winter.

The Lachera develops around three dances: the real Lachera, danced continuously during the procession by the lachè, the servants, whose choreography is a grotesque ridicule of the lords and the powerful (with headdresses in the shape of flowered bishop's mitres) and their movements are continuous leaps towards the bride without ever really being able to kidnap her.

In more modern times, the "curenta dir butei" and the "monferrina" have also been added, danced respectively by the peasants and muleteers.

Even the characters in the procession are precisely defined by tradition: in addition to the lachè and the spouses, there are the Trapulins, sort of harlequins who crack the whips (scuriass) at the sides of the procession, and the Zuav, two figures armed with swords and accompanied by dancers who escort the bride and groom and often defend them from the attacks of Bebè, an ambiguous and disturbing character halfway between devil and buffoon. Dressed in red, together with the Warrior he represents the evil element of the procession: with goat ears and horns he disturbs the dancers, snares and girls, and tries to bribe the public with the ancient coins contained in his lace bag.

This year the Carnival of Rocca Grimalda (AL) will take place on 11 and 12 February 2023.
There are various moments that animate the Lachera di Rocca Grimalda: in addition to the procession there is the traditional begging, with visits to the farmsteads in the area accompanied by propitiatory dances and offers of wine and food. But there is also the begging of children (Saturday 11 at 18 in the historic center) who, accompanied by the sound of cowbells and lids, knock from house to house asking for sweets and food.

Finally, at 8pm on Saturday 11 February, the procession will reach the town's belvedere, where the burning of the Carvà, or the puppet that represents Carnival, is held, with evocative dances around the fire accompanied by Zemin (a traditional soup) and wine for everyone.
The Lachera costumes can be admired in the exhibition halls of the Mask Museum of Rocca Grimalda (open on Saturdays from 3 to 7 pm and Sundays from 10 to 12 and from 3 to 7 pm. For info write to lachera@virgilio.it or via whatsapp at number 338 8332703).

"We are proud that the traditions of our territory are handed down with such enthusiasm and solidity, constituting an important piece of the tourist offer of the area year after year: the Lachera, in this context, is certainly an excellence that is worth experiencing and seen at least once", comments Roberto Cava, president of Alexala.