The ancient and fascinating history of the chimney sweep profession returns as every year to revive the heart of the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, in Piedmont. From Friday 4 to Monday 7 September 2026, the Vigezzo Valley and the municipality of Santa Maria Maggiore will be the setting for the 43rd edition of the International Chimney Sweep Gathering, an event organized by the National Chimney Sweep Association together with the Municipality and the Pro Loco of Santa Maria Maggiore.
This land, known since the geographical maps of the sixteenth century as the land of the chimney sweeps, recalls the historical emigration of adults and children who left for Northern Europe. For the occasion, over 1,400 participants are expected from every corner of the planet, ready to parade in traditional black work clothes soaked in soot, with the only exception represented by the Dutch delegation, historically dressed in a pure white dress.
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The international delegations and the beginning of the celebrations
The meeting will see the participation of large delegations from Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Austria and the United States of America, supported by the absolute novelties of the delegations arriving from Montenegro and North Macedonia. Due to the persistence of the conflict in Europe-oriented countries, there have been forced defections of the representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania and Moldova.
The celebrations will start on Friday 4 September in the park of Villa Antonia with the screening of period films and the “Black Night” animated by live music and refreshment points. It should be noted that the pyromusical show originally scheduled for 11pm was officially canceled due to the state of maximum danger for forest fires. Saturday 5 September will see the phreatic homage to the Monument to the Chimney Sweep in Malesco and the subsequent parade in Druogno.
The big parade on Sunday and the re-enactment on the rooftops
The central moment of the event will start at 10:00 am on Sunday 6 September with the solemn parade through the streets of Santa Maria Maggiore. Opening the parade will be an absolute novelty for the event: the performances of the Ferno Folk Group, whose whip cracks recall the ancient customs of the carters.
The procession will cross Piazza Risorgimento and then end in Piazza Gennari. Immediately afterwards, the historical re-enactment of the cleaning of the chimneys will be held: the artisans will climb onto the roofs of the Old Town Hall Cultural Center and Villa Antonia. Equipped with classic tools such as the rasp, the riccio and the squareta, the workers will reproduce the gestures of the old ones rüsca speaking in Taromthe secret jargon of the category. The event will close on Monday 7 September with a last parade in the town of Orta San Giulio.
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