Alta Badia: The 25th San Leonardo Parade

On Sunday, November 9, the picturesque village of Badia, in the heart of the Dolomite valleys, experienced a very special day: the 25th edition of the St. Leonard’s Parade, an event that has become an emblem of Ladin identity and the region's agricultural and equestrian tradition. The anniversary gained even greater significance by coinciding with the 700th anniversary of Badia's first written mention, reinforcing the link between past and present.

The day began at 9:30 AM with a solemn Holy Mass at the parish church of San Leonardo, patron saint of the village along with Santiago. At 10:45 AM, the anticipated parade commenced, winding through the village center from the artisan quarter. It featured over 150 Noriker and Haflinger horses, breeds deeply intertwined with Alpine history. The Haflingers, moreover, were in the process of being recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The procession was led by the patron saint's carriage and continued with floats decorated by local artisans, one dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the event and another featuring harvest products, whose subsequent sale benefited charity. Over 700 participants in traditional Ladin attire, alongside four musical bands, transformed the parade into a spectacle of color and authenticity rarely seen in South Tyrol.

The most touching moment arrived with the blessing of the horses and breeders, performed by the dean in front of Mount Santa Croce, a gesture filled with spirituality that connected tradition with the nature enveloping the valley.

The day was not only marked by the parade. The Trofeo Leonardi added excitement with equestrian trials such as slalom and jousting, in an atmosphere of healthy competition inspired by the famous "Oswald von Wolkenstein Ride."

At 3:30 PM, music took center stage with the special concert by Norbert and Alexander Rier. Norbert, legendary leader of Kastelruther Spatzen, shared the stage with his son to perform a repertoire embodying the warmth of Alpine folk music.

The celebrations continued under the covered tent, where attendees sampled local specialties prepared by the Fire Department and the Farmers' Association, while melodies from regional bands played.

Organized with the support of the Union Generela di Ladins dla Dolomites, the parade once again served as a moment of gathering and cultural pride, where music, costumes, horses, and Ladin cuisine celebrated the richness of a shared identity. The festive atmosphere had already begun on the evening of Saturday, November 8, with tastings and performances by local musicians, extending the experience to an entire weekend.