Biella Trad A.P.S. has been actively promoting traditional folk music and culture since 2000. Its mission is to preserve and share the rich variety of musical expressions rooted in specific cultural and geographical contexts—often serving as a vital testament to the “material culture” from which they emerged. The association focuses in particular on promoting the knowledge and study of music and dance repertoires originating from the Alpine and neighboring regions, Occitania, from Piedmont to southern France, including the Basque Country, central France, and Brittany.
Attention is given to the many values—cultural, educational, and social—represented by these “intangible heritages” and their relationship with contemporary cultural and educational contexts.
Using the body as a means of communication, dance becomes a non-verbal tool that stimulates both individual traits (offering the opportunity to explore and express one’s sensitivity, knowledge, and creativity) and social dynamics (as a group activity, it fosters awareness of others and interpersonal exchange, improving relationships).
Moreover, music and dance promote access to different cultures and traditions, encouraging an understanding of the diverse values tied to the places and people who practice them.
The association pursues these goals through the organization of traditional dance workshops, instrument courses (such as hurdy-gurdy, diatonic accordion, percussion, whistle-making, and crafting instruments from recycled materials), lecture series, balfolk cultural exchanges, and musical and themed events.