The “Sordevolo Passion Play” Meets Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli A tradition spanning over two centuries and the cultural significance of the performance take center stage during the meeting.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 – During a visit to the Sanctuary of Oropa by Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, the Sordevolo Passion Play—often described as a “colossal work of folk theatre”—was presented to highlight its rich history and a tradition dating back more than two centuries. Stefano Rubin Pedrazzo, President of the Sordevolo Folk Theatre Association, met with the Minister to discuss a production deeply rooted in the identity of the Biella region—a performance that defines the cultural heritage not only of Biella, but also of Piedmont and Italy as a whole.
As a unique example of folk theatre in Italy, the Passion Play captured the Minister’s attention; he examined several key photographs from the production and learned about the specific features that distinguish it from standard theatrical stagings. To mark the occasion, the Association presented Minister Giuli with a commemorative copy of Biblia Pauperum: The Passion Play of Sordevolo—a photographic volume that captures the soul and meaning of this tradition through visual storytelling. The book highlights in particular the dynamic crowd scenes (“movimento delle masse”), featuring hundreds of actors and extras performing on stage simultaneously.
“It was a true honor to meet the Minister of Culture. Seeing his genuine interest in our tradition and answering his questions about our event was immensely rewarding. It was also an excellent opportunity to demonstrate how the Biella area offers outstanding cultural initiatives, set against the evocative backdrop of the Sanctuary of Oropa,” stated Stefano Rubin Pedrazzo. The objective of the Sordevolo Passion Play is to serve as a landmark cultural initiative for the region, promoting both the production itself and the broader Biella territory. “Our performance is a major cultural attraction,” added the Association President. “It is precisely this cultural element—so deeply embedded in the identity of the people of Sordevolo—that makes it unique, drawing spectators from across Italy and abroad, while generating a substantial positive impact on the local community.”
