Customs in Canale d'Agordo

There are many customs that enrich the village and the whole valley culturally. One of these is called ‘pavarùi’, fires lit on the tops of the major mountains and in the surroundings of the village on Epiphany’s eve. It is an old pre-Christian heritage of propitiatory rites for the new year, that with the arrival of Christianity took up the meaning of lightening the road for the Magi.
Another striking tradition is the Thinghenésta, the only woman mask of the old Ladin Carnival. Thinghenésta was a very beautiful girl, who was chosen every year among the prettiest girls of the village to lead the parade of the matiéi (coloured masks), lacché, sassìgn (killers) and many other masks on Shrove Tuesday. It was the symbol of spring rebirth as pre-Christian propitiatory rite.

Besides these traditions, there is also the tiro al vof, an Easter tradition on Easter day. It is a coin throwing competition occurring on the main square of Canale. Coloured hard-boiled eggs are placed on the floor and the candidate has to aim at them with a coin and hit them. Formerly eggs were blessed by the parish priest.

The traditional Sagra de San Doàne (village feast) on 24 June has always been a great success. After the solemn mass, an important fair begins full of coloured stalls. This feast of St John, the patron saint, was once very popular in all Agordino and it opened the summer season.

Rich in colours and sounds is the Desmontegàda, too. It takes place in the centre of Falcade towards the last week of September, on the day celebrating the descent of the cattle from the pastures and it is a very joyful event.

As for gastronomy, among the typical dishes there are: carfógn (crostoli filled with poppy and sometimes chocolate), ‘lasagne da pavàre’ (lasagne with poppy) and ‘paste da fornèl’ (pasta with poppy sauce). The latter are cooked at Christmas night. 

The old Aquileia's patriarchal songs of eastern origin are also extremely interesting. They are carried out by the parish Schola cantorum during the major festivities of the year.