From 3rd to 5th July in the Walser town of Macugnaga, the classic date with Alpine culture returns in the form of the XXIII edition of the San Bernardo Fair, the event dedicated to Alpine and Walser hand-crafts which takes place annually at the foot of Monte Rosa.

As tradition would have it, the fair starts on Friday 3rd July at 2pm with the opening of the IX Impromptu wood sculpting: twelve participating artists will receive trunks of wood from which, over three days, they have to create a work based on this year's theme of Smuggling. The best creation will be chosen by a jury of experts on Sunday 5th July.

Saturday offers visitors a vast amount of events including the official opening of the Fair with its many market stalls of artisan goods and the demonstration area of ancient masters along the road passing through the centre of Macugnaga towards the ancient Dorf, the first inhabited area of the Macugnaga Walsers. There will be a date with culture at the convention il contrabbando dei secoli [smuggling over the centuries] at 10am at the Kongresshaus follone by music and the sound of the Alps at 9pm at the same location, for the XII International Mountain Music Festival.

Celebrations will continue on Sunday 5th July with the stately procession in which women will walk through the town's streets with their tradition costume including the golden bodice and the old linden, the secular tree which is the symbol of Macugnaga and its people. The afternoon will be dedicated to the awards ceremony for best market stall and best sculpture as well as the consignment of the bread of friendship to participating Walser groups from the Monte Rosa valleys .

For further information: Macugnaga Tourist Office
iat@comune.macugnaga.vb.it
www.comune.macugnaga.vb.it
Tel 0324 65119