Brava Part: The magic of traditions returns to Folgaria for an unforgettable late-summer weekend.

The Legend Comes to Life

At the heart of the celebration is La Brava Part, the kind-hearted mountain witch. Guardian of forests and pastures, she leads the grand parade that descends from Costa to Folgaria on Sunday morning. Her figure—together with that of farmers, woodcutters, shepherds, artisans, and children in traditional dress—transforms the valley into a living tale: over a thousand participants bring back to life ancient trades, rural rituals, and gestures from the past that still speak to the heart today.According to local tradition, La Brava Part was once considered a witch, invoked in times long past by parents who wanted to keep their children away from the dangers of the Rio Cavallo, or Rosspach. Much has changed since then. The legend tells of a cranky old woman whose foul temper alone was enough to keep people away. She was known to sing in the late afternoon—a song somewhere between a screech and a croak, completely off-key and grating to the ears. In short: terrifying. It was her best weapon, used to scare off the unwary who dared venture too close to the treacherous banks of the Rio Cavallo, a place she wanted to keep free of intruders.It is from this old legend that the festival took its name, with the first edition held in 1983. Today, the witch frightens no one. In fact, since 1989 she has been embraced as a symbol of local culture and traditions. And so, every year on the last Sunday of September, the witch leaves her dwelling, climbs up to Folgaria, and leads the long procession of floats and musical groups that bring to life the spectacular folkloric event that bears her name

Two Days of Emotion

On Saturday, the festival slowly comes to life—like an Alpine village waking up at dawn. The streets fill with music, markets, creative workshops for children, and choral performances echoing through the squares. It’s the day of busy hands, shared smiles, and a community that steps forward to tell its story.Sunday, instead, is the grand explosion: the Great Parade begins at 10:30 AM, and the air fills with the sound of marching bands, the swish of wool skirts, and the steady clop of horses pulling carts loaded with hay, tools, and traditional objects. Every village of the Alpe Cimbra brings a piece of itself, with creativity and pride, in a spontaneous choreography that moves all who watch.More than 1,000 participants—residents from the municipalities of Folgaria, Lavarone, Vigolana, and their hamlets—bring ancient crafts back to life: the pastòri de Sanbastiam (shepherds from San Sebastiano), the scalpelìni de Serrada(stonecutters of Serrada), the Schützen companies, the vinaròi de Mezmont (winemakers of Mezzomonte), the trovèladori de la Guardia (minstrels of Guardia), the boscaròi (woodsmen), the filò viva de Vigol Vatar, the sióri de Serrada, and many others.And then there are the folkloric bands from across Trentino-Alto Adige, led by the Folk Band of Folgaria, along with mountain choirs such as Coro Martinella and Coro Stella Alpina. Bands, choirs, groups, and associations in traditional costumes—accompanied by horses, donkeys, goats, and folk music—will breathe life into one of the most spectacular folk festivals in the Alpine region.

The Celebration of the Community

La Brava Part is not a show to be watched—it's an experience to be lived. The strength of this event lies in the fact that every resident becomes a protagonist: from cultural associations to choirs, from schoolchildren to folk groups, from the elderly who pass down traditional gestures to the children discovering them for the first time.It is the community telling its story to the world, revealing an intangible heritage that can’t be found in museums but lives in the faces, voices, and scents of these days.The Great Parade is a festival of mountain traditions, where people come together in joy and warmly welcome visitors, in a burst of sounds, colors, and aromas.It is the festival of the Alpe Cimbra community, proudly reaffirming its traditions and culture through the celebration of ancient crafts—the very foundation of the region’s identity.

Flavors, Sounds, and Authenticity

At lunchtime and throughout the day, visitors are welcomed by traditional dishes served at various food stands: steaming polenta, alpine cheeses, cured meats, and mountain desserts. But it’s more than just food—it’s the ancient knowledge of Trentino’s culinary tradition, offered as a heartfelt gesture of hospitality.All around, alpine choirs, folk instruments, musical groups, and roaming performances accompany the public until sunset, when the echo of the final notes lingers in the mountains—like a promise to return.On Sunday, September 28, a large gastronomic area will be set up at PalaFolgaria, where bands and choirs will perform after the parade, and the festivities will continue into the evening.On Saturday, the Earth Market (Mercato della Terra) will offer a chance to discover and purchase local, zero-kilometer products.Throughout the two-day event, food stands will line the streets of the village, and local restaurants will serve traditional dishes—offering an authentic taste of Alpe Cimbra.

A Journey Through Time, an Invitation to the Future

La Brava Part is both memory and hope.

Memory, because it restores dignity and visibility to a rural world that shaped the identity of these lands.

Hope, because it invites new generations and visitors to discover the values of authenticity, sharing, respect for nature, and love for community.Those who take part are not mere spectators—they become part of a living ritual that renews itself, leaving behind the scent of hay, the smile of a stranger, and the sound of an alpine band echoing with every step.La Brava Part is more than a festival: it is a pact between past and present, an invitation to experience Alpe Cimbra with a new heart and fresh eyes.