I'm a Mask: Mysteries and Memories of the Langhe and Roero

From October 23 to November 29, 2026, Palazzo Banca d'Alba hosts an exhibition dedicated to the masche (witches) and the traditions of Piedmontese folk culture. The opening, open to the public, is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, at 6:30 PM.

Stories passed down in homes and stables, tales of spells and mysterious presences, characters who have entered the collective memory of communities. This is the universe that takes shape in "J'é 'r masche. Mysteries and Memories between Langhe and Roero," a journey through the beliefs, traditions, and testimonies of the Langhe and Roero.

The project is a collaboration between the Banca d'Alba Foundation, the Arvangia Association, the Municipality of Mango, the Un Territorio Association, the Municipality of Gorzegno, the Municipality of Pocapaglia, and the Asfodelo Association, organizations that have provided knowledge, testimonies, and materials related to the memory of local communities.

The masche belong to an imaginary world where the everyday and the mysterious, the human and the natural, intertwine. For generations, their tales have fueled fears, beliefs, and explanations for difficult-to-understand events, becoming part of the popular culture of the Langhe and Roero.

The exhibition explores some of the elements that contributed to building this imagery, from the Book of Command, a legendary object associated with spells and enchantments, to the beliefs and prejudices that held witches responsible for illnesses, misfortunes, and inexplicable events.

Alongside these themes, there are figures and events tied to the local area, such as Masca Margherita, known as Ghitin, and Micilina, a traditional character from Pocapaglia linked to the memory of ancient witchcraft persecutions and the Rocche. Their stories reveal the profound connection between popular imagination, places, and the communities that inhabit them.

The exhibition also opens up to other expressions of popular culture, such as Cantè j'euv, a spring tradition during which groups of people went from house to house singing and collecting eggs, a moment of encounter and sharing in Piedmont's rural communities.

The exhibition offers a multimedia experience through narrative texts, large-format images, videos, and sound elements. At the center of the exhibition, a space evokes the atmosphere of ancient courtyards, places where stories were told and passed down, fostering a sense of encounter and shared memory.

The exhibition thus aims to bring to light a heritage of stories and traditions that are at risk of being lost, highlighting the work of those who still collect, preserve, and pass on the testimonies of popular culture. A project that focuses on the local area and the people who preserve its memory, through collaboration between local institutions and associations.