The Om Salvarech, wild man, is a benevolent spirit of the woods, present in numerous alpine legends and very famous in the Belluno area. In La Valle Agordina, this ancient story has developed into a unique variant that sets it apart from other Agordino traditions, and fortunately, it has not been lost over time, remaining true to its origins. The Om Salvarech is a spirit dressed in worn and patched clothing, who always carries with him an ancient feràl, which is a lamp, a symbol of light, and a bachet, that is a wooden stick representing the wisdom of the elders.
This sylvan character is very shy and does not want to be seen by man, except on the day of his festival when he is personified in a large puppet. So every year on April 25th, on Saint Mark's Day, the pop de l’Om Salvarech is created, a puppet made of corn canes dressed in rags, which is paraded throughout the village accompanied by the children’s shouts of “Hooray! Hooray for the Om Salvarech!”, and in the evening, it is burned in a large bonfire just outside the village center.
As the Om Salvarech burns, it takes away all the unfavorable events and things no longer usable from the past year and allows people to start anew filled with positivity. With this "sacrifice," he ensures the inhabitants the elimination of everything that has caused misfortunes and wishes for an abundant future harvest. It is no coincidence that Saint Mark's Day used to represent a watershed between the end of winter and the new agricultural year; from this celebration, one could begin working in the fields, and free passage in the meadows was prohibited.
The Pro Loco La Valle Agordina, in collaboration with all the Lavallese associations, presents an event over several days, with kitchens always ready to prepare typical specialties and dance orchestras performing every evening.
