1300 Chimney sweeps invade the Val Vigezzo: the world meeting to celebrate the ancient profession (and remember the children exploited)

Santa Maria Maggiore, in Val Vigezzo, hosted the 42nd International SPAZZACAMINI GAT, an event that recalls fans and tourists from all over the world every year. This year around 1300 brushes from 20 nations participated, with the delegation of Luxembourg among the most numerous, followed by Germans, Belgians, Swiss and US.

The initiative celebrates the tradition of an ancient profession, bringing customs to the square, historical tools such as the Raspa, the hedgehog and the Squareta, and the typical jargon of the sweep, the Taròm. The fashion show traveled the historic center of Santa Maria Maggiore, culminating in Piazza Risorgimento, between musical bands and folk groups.

Between festival and historical memory

In addition to folklore and entertainment, the gathering also recalls the darkest page in the history of the trade: child exploitation. Between the 19th and twentieth centuries, hundreds of children, called Rüsca, were forced to work on roofs and fireplaces, often in dangerous conditions and far from families. The event pays homage to those who suffered and allowed the profession to survive, transforming itself into a symbol of commitment and resistance.

Historical re -enactments, such as the cleaning of the fireplaces of the old City Hall Cultural Center and Villa Antonia, allow the public to observe the use of the ancient tools and understand the effort of the young chimney sweeps of the past. The event therefore combines culture, education and fun, with the aim of enhancing the history of the territory and remembering past difficulties.

Val Vigezzo: the heart of the event

The rally attracts curious visitors, offering the opportunity to discover the history of Val Vigezzo, known since 1500 as “Valle degli Spazza Valle”. During the editions, the event grew to involve thousands of people, consolidating itself as one of the most important events in the sector.

Despite the party and the spectacularity of the parade, the message of the gathering remains clear: to celebrate an ancient profession, strengthen the friendship between peoples and keep alive the memory of the juvenile exploitation that deeply marked the history of the valley and its inhabitants.

The initiative thus combines tradition, folklore and historical consciousness, creating a link between past and present. Val Vigezzo is therefore confirmed as ideal setting for an event that is much more than a simple party: it is a journey into the history of the chimney sweeps, between the joy of the community and the respectful memory of the sacrifices of the children of the past.

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