Il baccanale dei Borghi

Once again this year, Alba, in the food and wine context of the Truffle Fair, tries to evoke the everyday life of the Middle Ages through the Truffle Bacchanal, which reenacts the typical festivities of an ancient era.

During the evening it will be possible to taste wines and typical products of traditional Langa cuisine.

The Truffle Bacchanal

The Truffle Bacchanal is one of the most anticipated events of the Truffle Fair and marks the end of Alba’s historical reenactments.

After the Medieval Parade and Donkey Palio, village volunteers are preparing to organize a great feast of good food and fun.

Preparations begin on Friday night. When the city is dormant, volunteers rush to transform it by setting up stalls and distributing straw and hay bales through the streets of the old town.

On Saturday afternoon, everything is ready and the party begins.

The food

Each hamlet occupies an area of the city and offers passersby traditional dishes to enjoy as you walk around in search of a new delicacy.

It is a kind of ultimate challenge to the most appetizing dish where the choice is not limited to a few strolling ostrich, but offers visitors real courses that constitute a complete meal.

Tajarin, bagasse with lard or melted cheese, grilled meats, tomini and truffled eggs, as well as desserts of all kinds, are doled out at affordable prices and entice people to fill their bellies.

Games

The binge is disposed of with lots of games (some quite whimsical) dedicated to young and old alike.

And there you will try your hand at bottle fishing, ride (fake) donkeys to inflate balloons by jumping on their saddles and try to spear salamis with darts.

Prizes? Bottles of wine: perfect to accompany dinner. Just win them!

The reason for the party

Thus, the Truffle Bacchanal is a must-attend event for the townspeople and tourists who flock to spend a merry day each year.

This event, however, is organized by the Boroughs to self-finance their activities and better prepare for the following year’s Medieval Parade and Palio.

It is therefore an excellent ploy that combines the useful with the enjoyable.

The story

The Bacchanal has always been a cause for celebration, but its inception is not due to economic reasons.

At one time, it was organized in early autumn to finish food supplies that could not be stored and would go to waste.

A big eating feast was then held, which was followed by the much-loved games.