🎭 Mid-Lent: The Bergamasque Tradition that Celebrates Life

Mid-Lent is one of the most cherished and heartfelt festivities in the city of Bergamo, an annual event that transforms the streets of the city center into a stage of colors, sounds, and traditions. Organized with passion by the Ducato di Piazza Pontida, this festival represents a pause from religious severity and the hardships of everyday life, breaking the strictness of Lent with a celebration of sharing and lightheartedness.

🕰️ Historical Origins

The roots of Mid-Lent date back to the Middle Ages, when the citizens of Bergamo, especially artisans and merchants, organized a celebration halfway through Lent to take a break from the strict rules imposed by the Church. Over time, this tradition evolved into a popular event with masked parades, allegorical floats, and street performances, keeping the city’s cultural identity alive.

🎉 The Parade: A Spectacle of Colors and Joy

The beating heart of Mid-Lent is the traditional parade that winds through the city center, from the train station to Piazza Pontida. Allegorical floats, local and international folk groups, traditional masks, and dancers animate the streets, creating an atmosphere of celebration and collective participation. Each edition brings the vibrancy of the masks, the joy of the floats, and the engagement of the community, turning Bergamo into a stage of colors and identity.

🔥 Rasgàment de la Égia: A Purification Ritual

At the end of the parade, the festival culminates with the Rasgàment de la Égia, a symbolic ritual representing the purification of the city from the negative aspects of the past year. A straw figure called “Égia” is burned in the square, accompanied by songs and dances, marking the beginning of spring and the hope for a better year.

🌍 A Living Cultural Identity

Mid-Lent is not just a festival; it is a living expression of Bergamasque culture, a deep connection between past and present. The Ducato di Piazza Pontida continues to preserve and promote this tradition, involving the community in an event that celebrates life, joy, and solidarity.

📅 An Event Not to Miss

Every year, Mid-Lent is an opportunity to rediscover Bergamo’s cultural roots, take part in a festival that brings generations together, and celebrate the beauty of tradition. A chance to experience the city authentically, surrounded by colors, sounds, and smiles.
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