Ben Cüncià - Festival della Polenta Concia

Biella celebrates polenta concia in November with Ben Cuncia, the festival dedicated to the signature dish of the Biella mountains. Polenta concia, enriched with butter and melted cheeses from the valleys, and one of the most substantial and beloved dishes of the Piedmontese Alpine tradition, born to nourish those who worked in the pastures and woods of the Biella mountains. The Ben Cuncia festival, whose name in dialect refers precisely to well-seasoned polenta, fills the centre of Biella with food stalls and stands where cooks prepare polenta concia with the local typical cheeses, from Maccagno to toma, and serve it hot accompanied by traditional mountain dishes. The stands also offer other Biella products, cured meats and local wines. The festival combines gastronomy with markets, live music and activities for families, in an autumn celebration that honours the flavours of the mountains. Biella, a city at the foot of the Biella Alps, is known for its textile tradition, which has made it one of the world capitals of wool, and preserves the old district of Piazzo, reachable by funicular, as well as the nearby Sanctuary of Oropa, one of the most important Marian sanctuaries