The Sant'Orso Fair, a centuries-old tradition that the Aosta Valley people do not give up. Every year local artists and craftsmen proudly exhibit the fruits of their work in the eagerly awaited fair, along the streets of the center of Aosta. In the Middle Ages the fair was held in village of the city, in that area surrounding the Collegiate church which bears the name of Sant'Orso. Legendary stories tell that it all began right in front of the church where the saint, who lived before the XNUMXth century, would have used to distribute clothing and "sabots", typical wooden shoes still presented at the fair today, to the poor. Currently, the entire city center is involved in the event, inside and alongside the Roman city walls.
The Sant'Orso Fair
All the traditional activities are present at the fair: sculpture and wood carving, soapstone, wrought iron and leather weaving of the drap which is a woolen fabric worked on ancient wooden looms). lace, wicker, household items, wooden ladders, barrels and more. The Sant'Orso fair is a celebration of the creativity and industriousness of the mountain people, and a great popular event in which the characteristics of the Aosta Valley identity are manifested.
For anyone who visits it, the Sant'Orso fair it is an extraordinary and unforgettable experience, to be lived with intense emotional participation. In fact, it is not so much the commercial aspect that pushes exhibitors to participate in the fair, as the desire to leave their laboratory to seek contact with an audience that knows how to appreciate quality work and creativity, unique and original productions, fruit of traditions that have centuries-old roots. Similarly, those who visit the fair are not only looking for a good purchase, perhaps useful in daily practice, or a quality object to beautify the home, but also to "breathe" a unique atmosphere. The Sant'Orso fair is also music and folklore. And it is also an excellent opportunity to taste wines and typical products of the Valle d'Aosta.
(Photos and videos of the institutional Facebook page The Fair of Sant'Orso – Foire de Saint Ours)
