Before the sun rises, the north wind blows — the hardest moment comes just before improvement. Darkest before dawn; the cold wind before spring.
This meteorological proverb from the Alpine piedmont of Piedmont describes a real atmospheric phenomenon: before sunrise, temperatures drop further and the north wind often picks up as the pressure differentials between the mountains and the plain reach their maximum. The farmer or shepherd who knew this also knew that the bitter pre-dawn cold was the signal that dawn itself was near. The proverb became a general counsel of perseverance: when things are worst, the change is closest. In Turin's industrial history, the worst moments of economic depression were sometimes followed by remarkable recovery — the 1930s depression preceded the extraordinary growth of the 1950s; the Fiat crisis of the late 1970s preceded the renaissance of the 1980s.
Piedmontese meteorological proverb from the Alpine foothills. The tramontana wind from the north was a constant presence in Piedmontese life and agriculture.
A Turin factory worker during a difficult industrial period
Ci hanno tagliato mille posti. Dent ch'el sol nasc al tramontana — forse prima che arrivi la ripresa bisogna passare il peggio.
They have cut a thousand jobs. Before the sun rises, the north wind blows — perhaps before the recovery comes you have to go through the worst.
A Piedmontese shepherd before dawn on an alpine pasture
Sento il tramontana — tra mezz'ora sorge il sole. Dent ch'el sol nasc al tramontana. Preparo il fuoco.
I feel the north wind — in half an hour the sun will rise. Before the sun rises, the north wind blows. I prepare the fire.
A Torinese doctor to a patient at the worst point of an illness
Oggi sta peggio di ieri. Dent ch'el sol nasc al tramontana — spesso il picco della febbre è il momento prima della guarigione.
Today is worse than yesterday. Before the sun rises, the north wind blows — often the peak of the fever is the moment before recovery.
A Piedmontese artist after a period of creative block
Per sei mesi non riuscivo a dipingere niente. Dent ch'el sol nasc al tramontana — poi ho fatto il mio lavoro migliore.
For six months I could not paint anything. Before the sun rises, the north wind blows — then I made my best work.