Overview
Every year in Tarcento, Epiphany lights up with one of Friuli’s oldest and most captivating traditions. The celebration begins on January 5, when the pignarulârs — the keepers of the fire — prepare the Pignarûi, the great bonfires that will be lit on the evening of January 6.
On Epiphany Eve, they compete in an exciting race with flaming carts, cheered on by the Vecchio Venerando (the Old Venerable), the symbolic figure of the ritual, to win the Palio.
On January 6, as night falls, the historic parade winds through the town center. The Venerando recounts ancient Epiphany stories and leads a torchlight procession to Coia, forming a spectacular fiery ribbon along the hillside. At the top, he lights the Pignarûl Grant, the great bonfire. According to the direction of the smoke, he predicts the fortunes of the coming year. The evening closes with a breathtaking fireworks display.
