The Pietragavina Chestnut Festival returns again this year, Sunday 13 October 2024, to celebrate a tradition that has been handed down for no fewer than 63 editions. This event, one of the most eagerly awaited and loved in the Oltrepò Pavese area, is a hymn to autumn and its wonders, and its undisputed protagonist is the chestnut, the symbolic fruit of the season.
Located in the hills of the Pavese Apennines, Pietragavina dresses up to welcome residents and tourists alike for a day full of flavours, music and tradition. The festival is in fact one of the first autumn events in the region, attracting every year hundreds of visitors eager to immerse themselves in a warm and convivial atmosphere, typical of Italian village festivals.
The day will come to life from the early hours of the morning, when the gastronomic stands and those dedicated to typical local products will open to the public, offering a variety of flavours representing the richness of the territory. The chestnut, in its various preparations, will be the undisputed queen: steaming roasted chestnuts distributed in the corners of the festival, but also in more elaborate dishes, capable of surprising even the most demanding palates.
There will also be a traditional lunch, which will be hosted in the KIWI disco, transformed for the occasion into a convivial dining room. The menu will reflect the most genuine and robust Oltrepò gastronomy, with dishes such as polenta, wild boar and stracotto, accompanied by mushrooms and sausages. For those wishing to treat themselves to a more refined break, gorgonzola cheese will be another protagonist of the banquet, perfect to enjoy with a good glass of local wine.
In the afternoon, the streets of Pietragavina will come alive with live music and shows. From 2.30 p.m., the musical groups ‘The Scarlet Stars’ from Peveragno and the ‘Silvio Pellico’ band will entertain those present with songs ranging from different genres, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere. This will be followed by DJ Edo, who will transform the square into an open-air dance floor, perfect to end the day on a happy note.
One of the most eagerly awaited moments of the festival will be the awarding of the Golden Chestnut. The ceremony will be held in the late afternoon, at 17:00, and represents the heart of the event, a tribute to a product that is not only a fruit, but also a symbol of local culture and tradition.
It will not only be music that will entertain visitors. Throughout the day, it will be possible to take part in activities related to the discovery of the territory and its natural beauty. From 10:00 a.m. until late afternoon, a shuttle service will take participants to the surrounding chestnut groves, allowing them to collect chestnuts, an unmissable opportunity for those who wish to have an authentic experience in contact with nature.
The Pietragavina Chestnut Festival is not only a celebration of an autumn fruit, but also an event that combines tradition, taste and fun. It is an opportunity to rediscover the roots of an area rich in history and nature, to savour the products of a generous land, and to enjoy a day of conviviality and good cheer.
