Bellunesi

Bellunesi are the inhabitants and cultural identity associated with Belluno, a province in the Veneto region of northern Italy. The term serves as the demonym for residents and for the regional culture rooted in the Dolomites and the surrounding valleys.

Geography and demographics: Belluno province is predominantly mountainous, part of the Dolomites, with deep valleys such as Cadore, Ampezzo, Agordino, and Feltrino. The provincial capital is the town of Belluno. The population is concentrated in smaller towns and alpine communities, totaling roughly two hundred thousand people.

Language and culture: Italian is the prevailing language, with local dialects of the Venetian language group known as Bellunese. Alpine traditions shape local music, festivals, and cuisine, including dairy products and polenta-based dishes. The landscape supports tourism, mountaineering, skiing, and hiking; the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park protects a substantial portion of the region’s natural heritage.

Economy and society: The Bellunesi economy combines tourism, forestry, and small-scale industry with agriculture in the valley areas. The Dolomites attract visitors year-round, sustaining towns through guesthouses and services. The region has a historical pattern of emigration, which produced a Bellunese diaspora abroad.

Diaspora and organizations: The Bellunesi nel Mondo association coordinates cultural ties with emigrant communities in Argentina, the United States, Brazil, and other countries, maintaining media outlets and events that preserve Bellunese heritage.