Santa Maria Maggiore – The International Chimney Sweep Festival

The 39th International Meeting of Chimney Sweeps with chimney sweeps coming from all over the world took place from September 2nd to 5th 2022 in Val Vigezzo, Italy.

What is it?

The International Meeting of Chimney Sweeps is an event full of history that offers a weekend full of activities and entertainment, but also the chance to learn about what it takes to be a chimney sweep and the history behind it.

The festival is held each year in the town of Santa Maria Maggiore, in the beautiful valley of Vigezzo in Piedmont Italy. It typically runs during the start of September which is the start of the sweeping season.

The venue is particularly interesting. In 1548, on the Alpes map, Vigezzo Valley was already specified as the “Chimney Sweep’s valley” because traditionally young people used to emigrate abroad to Northern Europe to become a chimney sweep.

The origins

Back in the day when times were tough in Vigezzo, the local children would often be sold into servitude to wealthy chimney sweeps across Europe. Sweeps from all around the world gather for this event to commemorate the end of the terrible trade. There’s a well-known statue of the final chimney boy, who died as a result of a lightning strike, to mark the end of the climbing boys.

What’s the programme?

Saturday

On Saturday, there is a ceremony dedicated to the Chimney Sweep Monument in Malesco where flowers are placed in memory of such an important, yet dangerous job. In Druogno, there is the chimney sweep’s parade and there is a demonstration of chimney cleaning.

Sunday

On Sunday, the event is at its peak. There are often over a thousand chimney sweeps dressed in their traditional top hats and jackets, parading and dancing through the streets. Later in the day the sweeps take to the rooftops lighting flares and taking photos. Often there are displays of traditional tools, bicycles, and clothing on display.

Monday

The chimney sweeps will take the cable car up to Piana di Vigezzo in celebration of the area. As the event draws to a close, and Monday afternoon creeps up on the attendees, goodbyes are said and we all return home with a giant hangover and memories that are timeless.