January 18, 2024

In 1174, a wealthy merchant from Lyon took a vow of poverty, giving rise to the Waldensian movement. Over the past 850 years, one of the places where many Waldensians sought refuge from persecution and built thriving communities was the three Waldensian Valleys in the Turin area.

To celebrate this anniversary, the Metropolitan City of Turin will support a rich calendar of events organized by the Waldensian Cultural Center Foundation and the Waldensian Church of Turin throughout 2024.

The Waldensian community is an important point of reference for community spirit, even for those who are not Waldensian.

“Torre Pellice, the ‘capital’ of the Waldensian Valleys, will be the site of many of the celebrations,” said Mayor Marco Cogno. “We are talking about a community that has suffered over the years in every time and place. The hope is to bring a hope of peace not only in words, but also with projects. I thank this Church, which is increasingly strong and present, for inspiring the institutional side to do always better. It is a matter of stimulus.”

The various events will take place throughout 2024 in Turin and Torre Pellice, from February 3 to November 14. In addition, from February 10, the exhibition “Valdo and the Waldensians: Between History and Myth” will be inaugurated at the Waldensian Museum in Torre Pellice, retracing the construction of Waldensian history in European culture from the Middle Ages to the present day. Every Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, the Waldensian Temple in Turin will be open to visitors.

Program of the Waldensian Cultural Center:

• February 3: Conference “Heresy Yesterday and Heresy Today”. Casa Valdese, Torre Pellice
• February 10/September 30: Exhibition “Valdo and the Waldensians: Between History and Myth”. Waldensian Museum, Torre Pellice
• May 25: Walk “Discovering Waldensian Sites and the Protestant Reformation”. Turin
• September 24/29: Trip “The Waldensians and Europe”. Steyr (Austria) and Tabor (Czech Republic)
• October 26: Inauguration of an artistic installation dedicated to the 850 years of the Waldensians on the move. Waldensian Museum, Torre Pellice

Program of the Waldensian Church of Turin:

• February 17: Screening on the Mole in memory of the granting of civil rights in 1848 and the elimination of the ghettos, in collaboration with the Jewish Community
• February 18: Worship service in the presence of city authorities. Waldensian Temple of Turin
• February 26: Conference “Jews and Waldensians, a Long History in Turin” with historian Claudio Vercelli and Professor Daniele Garrone, in collaboration with the Jewish Community of Turin. Synagogue of Turin.
• May 25: Walk “Discovering Waldensian Sites and the Protestant Reformation”. Turin
• November 15: Conference “The Universal Minority”, in collaboration with the Piero Gobetti Study Center