The 2026 edition of Pesa Vegia celebrates an extraordinary anniversary: 420 years of history, a milestone of exceptional historical, symbolic, and identity value for Bellano, the entire Lake Como area, and the entire Lombardy region. An anniversary that we celebrated, in addition to the usual, rich program, also with a plein air exhibition on Bellano’s shop windows and walls and with a celebratory book. Both signed by the great Bellano photographer Carlo Borlenghi and with the evocative title “AVANTI LA STELLA” (forward the star).
Relive past editions
The 2025 edition of Pesa Vegia recounts a decades-long transformation journey, in which tradition has been able to renew itself without losing its soul. Over the years, in fact, the way of celebrating “good news” has been enriched with new symbols and scenographic moments that, starting from the second half of the twentieth century, have shaped the contemporary identity of the festival.
Despite the rain it was again “Pesa Vegia”.
The heavy rain that fell from the late morning of January 5th until late at night tried to stop “the celebration of feasts” but was unable to dissuade those – beyond the Bellanesi – who are well rooted in tradition. The event, which was not postponed even though bad weather was widely expected, once again demonstrated resilience and public success.
After two years of restrictions with live streaming and significant cuts to the program, Pesa Vegia returns in all its splendor in the 2023 edition and this year has been called “The Feast of Feasts” by the people of Bellano. Bellano is thus preparing to relive the tradition on Thursday, January 5, 2023 in a finally complete edition.
On Wednesday, January 5, 2022, Bellano will respect the tradition of Pesa Vegia, or rather “what can be done”. Given the restrictions imposed by the holiday decree to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, the most anticipated Bellano events will not be able to take place in the traditional manner. Once the moments that usually create strong gatherings (such as the Spanish procession or the bonfire…) have been cancelled, only a few “evocative” moments of the great demonstration are proposed, with however some nocturnal surprises that allowed Governator Fuentes to reach Bellano and read the happy news.
If Governor Pedro Acevedo had landed in a deserted Bellano in 1605, he would certainly have been shocked, but it’s 2021 and in times of Covid, Pesa Vegia can’t be done differently: this year “off limits” for the public but “online” for everyone with a live stream broadcast by the organizers from 10 pm with the arrival and reading of the Governor. In this special and unique edition, the three Three Wise Men have traveled the 24 km of the entire Bellano area, from the highlands (Mornico) to the lake, bringing sweets and gifts to all 300-plus Bellano children at the door of every home and hamlet.