One of Italy’s most famous holidays is Ferragosto celebrated each year on August 15th.- also known as the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Feast of the Assumption commemorates the end to her earthly life and ascension to heaven. Everything in the entire country is shut down on Ferragosto, but what you might not know already is that most of the country of Italy is already shutdown because Italians typically take the entire month of August off of work anyway and head to the beach. On Ferragosto, they take a break from the beach and participate in other activities.
The small town outside of Napoli that we live in is called Monte Di Procida, and it just so happens that the town’s patron saint is Mary – thus for my little town, this is the biggest festival of the year. For 5 straight days, the streets of Monte Di Procida including the main Piazza in the center of town are closed down. At night the streets are filled with various candy, toy, and balloon vendors along with some very strange foods (see picture below). The main Piazza has a huge stage set up where each night famous Italian singers and bands play until around 2 am or later. On August 14th, it is tradition for the people in our town to jump in the Mediterranean Sea at the stroke of midnight to celebrate the first minute of Ferragosto.
On August 15 (actual day of the Assumption of Mary), there is a unique and amazing tradition that we got to witness: The Procession of the Blessed Virgin Mar. Led by a host of priests and filling the streets with the singing of hymns and the smell of incense. She is carried to each church in the city and brought in where she was blessed. Everyone surrounds the front of the church awaiting her to re-emerge; when she does the crowd gives the sign of the cross and erupts in applause. The Streets are lined with people, and as she passes they all join in the procession, and it stretched for almost a mile with thousands of people in tow. A group of older women led the charge, and to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary they did it without shoes. It was very neat to see, and to think that all this happened right out our front door.
Chiesa San Giuseppi (church right next to our house) and the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary being brought inside for the blessing.
Statue of Mary that was carried around town and the end of the procession were kids being pulled by horse and carriage.
After the procession the town resembled a ghost town, not a soul around, everyone at home eating with their families. In the evening, the festivities began again – but less religious and more of a party. As with previous nights, the streets were lined with vendors and revelers alike – eating, drinking, and listenening to the band on the main stage. Erin and I went with our good friend Pete and enjoyed the celebration – from the pictures, you might say a little too much
Hanging out at the Stappo, the wine bar next to our house, with our friend Pete to start the evening.
The streets in town have all been decorated with lights!
Some of the Candy. Pete and I tried some of the giant candy strawberries - looked better than they tasted.....
....but it was better than the cow heads with lemons that the guy was selling brains and tongue - YUCK!!
The entire celebration culminated with a huge fireworks display, that is one of the largest in Europe and put on by the top fireworks company in the world. As usual, we forgot to get in any pictures together - so next time we will try to remember.
Ferragosto was an amazing time and we experienced Italian culture like few people will ever get to do – I can’t wait until next year - Buon Ferrogosto!!
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