The Blumari and the traditional Carnival in the Natisone Valleys

Here is a beautiful excursion with mountains and culture with the group of the Proloco  Valli del Natisone, led by its great chairman, Antonio. It involves a climb in height of about 500 metres on a very well marked path, strewn with spring flowers in the initial stretch and snow in the last part, and which gave us beautiful views.

In ancient times, the Blumari were the young people of Montefosca who dressed in white, and with a large tree-shaped headdress with strips of coloured paper on top and bells tied behind their shoulders, would perform a propitiatory rite by running, celebrating the transition between winter and spring, and between youth and adult age. Counting between 5 and 15 they had to do as many circuits around the village as the total number of youths involved, and arrive at the end of the run still immaculate in their costume. Today everyone runs: children, teenagers and adults, because ofo the depopulation that has resulted in the race becoming intergenerational, while continuing a tradition that continues to thrill.

Departing from Stupizza, a hamlet near Pulfero, at around 10.00 am we crossed the Natisone river and followed the CAI 235 path up to Montefosca, where we arrived after about an hour and a half’s walk. We paid a visit to the Museo dei Blumari and the local dairy, where we tasted the excellent cheeses, and then we warmed up a little in the village’s agriturismo with mulled wine and frittelle pastries, while waiting for the protagonists of the festival and participating in their dressing.

The dressing of the Blumari is an ancient ritual that is handed down over time and requires the assistance of the fathers and grandfathers, who with expert hands tie the cowbells on the shoulders and head coverings so that they do not fall during the run and jumps. Finally, at 3:00 pm the Blumari left, in a mass of colours and sounds, followed by the applause and incitement of all the spectators. The boys were really fine in their costumes, and some of the younger ones were rather thrilled at being encourages to make so much noise! This is a truly unmissable event during the Carnival period in the Natisone Valleys.