Varese, land of events

From Saturday 21 January to Sunday 29 January, 2023 | Province of Varese

FESTA DELLA GIÖBIA

The tradition of this festival has two different historical roots, which have developed over the years into two different rituals that divide the northern part of the province of Varese from the southern part. Both are celebrated on the last Thursday of January, because it traditionally marks the transition between the coldest time of the year and the beginning of a more conspicuous period.

In the northern part of the province, the festival is more private and has its origines in the Puscene (from Latin post cenam=after dinner) of men and women. As time went by, the men's Puscena died out and the women's Puscena was transformed and began to include their children and husbands. Today, the tradition is celebrated under the name of Giöbia, but under a positive meaning of recognition from the man to the woman for all that she does for the family. For this reason, on the last Thursday in January, men give their women a traditional heart-shaped cake as a symbol of gratitude.      

On the other hand, in the southern part of the province, the holiday originates from the legend of an old witch, with very long legs and red stockings, who lived in the woods and enjoyed spooking anyone who entered. According to the tales, on the last Thursday of January she would go into the villages to eat children. One year, a mother, in order to protect her son, decided to set a trap for her cooking saffron risotto with luganega (sausage). The Giubiana fell into the trap and began to eat the risotto, not realizing that in the meantime the sun began to rise and it killed her. Since then it has been a tradition to have a bonfire with a puppet in the likeness of the Giubiana and then have dinner together with risotu cunt' a lüganiga (saffron and sausage risotto), a symbol of prosperity.

Event programs in the province of Varese are being updated.


OGGIONA CON SANTO STEFANO

On Saturday 20th January, the Proloco of Oggiona con Santo Stefano is organizing, together with the municipality, the Great Bonfire of the Giöbia, in Piazza C.A. Dalla Chiesa (via San Giovanni Bosco). From 7:00 p.m. it will be possible to dine at the gastronomic stand, which will serve polenta and bruscitt, chips, sausages, chocolate and mulled wine. At 9:00 p.m. there will be the lighting of the bonfire.


MERCALLO

The Great Giöbia Bonfire will be held on Sunday 21st January, 2023. The meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. in Piazza Balconi. Children will bring wishing cards to be burnt in the fire, while it will be possible to drink chocolate or mulled wine. Afterward, the traditional risotto, offered by the Mercallo municipal administration, will take place, together with a concert by the Fanfara dei Bersaglieri. The proceeds will be donated to the C.A.O.S. Association.


GALLARATE

The traditional Brüsa la Giöbia event will return to Gallarate on Thursday 25th January. This year it will be held in the Arnate district, at the oratory's sports field. The evening will start at around 7.15 p.m., while the lighting of the bonfire is scheduled for 9.30 p.m. It will also be possible to have dinner with the famous luganega risotto, cooked in the typical Guinness World Records pot.


GORLA MAGGIORE

On Thursday 25th January, in Piazza Martiri della Libertà, from 7.30 p.m. it will be possible to enjoy a portion of polenta and bruscitt or to warm up with a glass of tea or mulled wine, while the notes of the Corpo Musicale Santa Cecilia will provide the backdrop for the feast and the burning of the Giöbia. The lighting of the Giöbia bonfire is scheduled for 9:00 p.m.


VIZZOLA TICINO

On Thursday 25th January at 7.30 p.m., the Giöbia will be burnt, followed by the opening of the food stand in the fieldhouse in Via Birago.


MORNAGO

The Proloco of Mornago is organizing the Giöbia Bonfire on Saturday 27th January. The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the happy hour and will continue after dinner with the collection of the brooms "Scaccia Guai" and the lighting of the bonfire. At 9:00 p.m. there will be the lighting of the bonfire, during which it will be possible to sip warm mulled wine accompanied by delicious apple fritters. At 19:30, a delicious menu with traditional risotto with luganega will be served.

Share
 
    Lago Maggiore Meeting Industry
    Provincia di Varese
    Consorzio Qualità Miele Varesino

Subscribed