There are many beautiful places in the world. But each of them conceals not only external beauty, but also a rich history. It has evolved over centuries, filled with amazing traditions, creating the individuality of a particular place.
Italy is famous for its characteristic color. Everything about it is interesting: people, landscapes, cuisine, history, festivities. To visit one of them is to immerse yourself in another world that will swallow you whole. The last month of summer is especially memorable for residents. August 15 whose name is Ferragosto. This day is unusual and bright, like the country itself. This article will help you learn more about its origin and local traditions.
Ancient roots
The name of the holiday is of Latin origin. The exact translation of Ferragosto is "Rest of Augustus". Probably, the well-known Roman emperor is associated with its origin.
We mentioned that the Italian holiday Ferragosto is quite controversial. It combines seemingly incompatible concepts - church rituals and pagan ones. Of course, the latter are older and it was they who started the holiday.
The ancient Romans thus marked the end of summer work and the harvest. At this time, they dedicated rituals to the mythological god of agriculture, Consus. The owners gave the workers some food and money so that they could honor Ferragosto. The animals were also given the opportunity to rest.
The Catholic Church initially tried to abolish Ferragosto in Italy, but after a number of unsuccessful attempts, it finally accepted it.
Religious side of the holiday
The Dormition of the Virgin Mary or Ascension also took place on August 15. This fact is confirmed by historical evidence. This helped to connect the festivities of the pagans with Catholic rites, because despite the fact that the transition to another world is a sad event, but for religious reasons, it testifies to the hope of rebirth and eternal life. Why not have a great event?
Peculiarities
August 15th is the date that all Italians dream of, as it marks the beginning of the holiday season. In this country there is no concept that everyone cannot relax at once. After the arrival of the cherished day, the country practically freezes. Local residents flock to nature, and offices, shops, bars and organizations cease operations for two weeks. The result is a lighter version of the post-apocalyptic plot of a film.
All in nature
Cities really become like abandoned havens that their inhabitants left in a hurry. Italians are very sensitive to maintaining traditions, especially when it comes to relaxation. But where does all living things go?
Local residents, even those who are not planning a trip to distant lands in the next two weeks, consider it their duty to visit nature. August 15th is a holiday in Italy and everyone celebrates it differently. Some people go to a water park, others prefer excursions (a good way to combine relaxation and cultural education), while others opt for picnics in tent camps.
Some activists arrange the necessary space in advance. There you can find large awnings to protect you from the scorching sun, plenty of firewood for a fire, a place for cooking and, of course, tents. Russians living in Italy claim that some people can spend the entire month of August outdoors, only occasionally stopping by to take a shower.
An interesting feature of tent cities is the concentration of a wide variety of people. It's no secret that each region here can have its own dialect and accent. Just listening to such an unusual conversation is enough to understand how multifaceted this country is.
The main thing is that Ferragosto in Italy is spectacular and delicious!
Real jam
Italy is famous all over the world for its cuisine, and the holiday menu can cause incredible gastronomic pleasure.
In times past, the remote delights of the people were much simpler. The most traditional and widespread dish was roast pigeons. All those who like to feed these cute birds in the park are probably shuddering now, but this is the truth of life. This culinary delight comes from Tuscany and originated more than a thousand years ago. Today, this dish is prepared only in a few regions of the country.
August 15 is a holiday in Italy, so tourists in other areas have something to enjoy. Sicily is famous for its frozen melon jam. For taste, it is garnished with lemon slices and delicate jasmine flowers.
The city of Stresa is famous for its special delicacy - Margheritine di Stresa cookies. It was invented by a local pastry chef in the 19th century. Over time, it became very popular among Italians and became extremely popular. Cookies were even served to Queen Margaret's guests during the holiday.
Ferragosto in Rome is celebrated with a delicious lunch. To begin with, they serve pasta with the most tender chicken liver, then chicken in a sauce with sweet pepper, and for dessert after a long, hot day, chilled watermelon is perfect.
In Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, locals bake aniseed pretzels, which they treat to friends and family. To do this, ready-made treats are placed in special holiday packaging.
In tent cities, the menu mainly consists of meat. It is better for vegetarians not to be there, because the number of piglets killed is simply record-breaking.
Pork is usually cooked over an open fire, rotating on a spit. Before eating, hot meat is placed between two large cork dishes with leaves of the myrto plant, which makes it much more aromatic. As for drinks, it is undoubtedly wine. It can flow like a river.
Program of events
To fully appreciate how Ferragosto is celebrated in Italy, you need to know about local traditions.
Among the most ancient of them are religious processions. Each city has its own unique features. In Palermo, the procession consists of young men who solemnly carry a statue of the Madonna. In Tivoli, it involves two figures at once - the Virgin Mary and Jesus. They are carried from opposite ends of the city to “meet” each other. In Sassari, the procession is decorated with large papier-mâché candlesticks, which are made in the shape of palm trees.
In Turin, until the middle of the 20th century, it was customary to go to a gala dinner in a restaurant or spend time outdoors, on a picnic near the Po River.
In Rome, throughout August, the townspeople filled it with water. The result was a huge pool, where fun swimming took place with games and jokes.
Unforgettable time
Let modern realities bring changes to this holiday in Italy. August 15 is still an expected date, because after it all worries will go away for two whole weeks. Try to share this unusual, tradition-filled day with the locals, and you will take a fresh look at the country!
Tonkosti.ru
As noted by Ferragosto
August 15 Feast of Ferragosto and Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Italy
Ferragosto is a traditional Italian holiday celebrated annually on August 15th. In the summer days preceding it, cities across the country seem to be dying out - people are lured away by beaches and secluded villas.
It is on Ferragosto that Italians prefer to take vacations. Rome, Milan, Turin are at the mercy of tourists confused by the silence and closed cafes and shops.
Tonkosti.ru writes that the holiday takes its name from the phrase Feriae Augusti, which is translated from Latin into Russian as “August’s holiday.” The fact is that the Roman emperor Octavian Augustus, to whom Ferragosto is, in fact, dedicated, moved the September celebration of the consulars to the month named after him.
In ancient Roman times, the main companions of Ferragosto were magnificent banquets with collective feasts and tables literally bursting with food and wine. Horse races and races were organized throughout the country. The festivities culminated on August 15, on which day slaves and servants were awarded a bonus and several days of rest. Draft animals were also exempt from work: bulls, oxen, donkeys and mules.
The tradition of venerating Octavian Augustus was so rooted among ordinary people that even with the advent of Christianity, the church decided not to cut to the quick and adapted the pagan holiday to the new faith. So in the 6th century Feriae Augusti was transformed into the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
As noted by Ferragosto
The Italians, who by this time had not decided to take a weekend, leave their city apartments on Ferragosto and go on excursions and picnics, go to the mountains, and go to the sea. They often have a barbecue in the backyard and invite family and friends.
To get to know Ferragosto and not go broke, it is better to either take care of booking accommodation in advance, or wait until the last minute: a few days before the holiday, travel agencies and hotels offer lucrative hot offers.
Performances are given in the central squares of Italian cities and villages. At sea, they are held right on the beach: the most popular entertainment for local youth is pouring cold water on friends and strangers.
Ferragosto is a traditional Italian holiday celebrated annually on August 15th. In the summer days preceding it, cities across the country seem to be dying out - people are lured away by beaches and secluded villas. It is on Ferragosto that Italians prefer to take vacations. Rome, Milan, Turin are at the mercy of tourists confused by the silence and closed cafes and shops. yandex_stat_id = 1; ya... CULTURE 2018-08-14 Rating: 5/ 0
All calendars, of course, were invented by people, but August is a special time. Harvest, an abundance of vegetables and fruits, summing up and anticipation of the end. In the midst of summer, you suddenly realize: autumn has come. As in B. Pasternak’s poem about another August holiday:
The sixth of August as usual,
Transfiguration.
Usually light without flame
Coming from Tabor on this day,
And autumn, clear as a sign,
Eyes are drawn to yourself.
Italians take their siesta of the year in August: it is a time of general vacation. The peak of holidays falls on August 15, the Ferragosto holiday. This day, probably the hottest of the year, is a public holiday in Italy. For a week, big cities turn into desert, shops and pizzerias close, residents take vacations and move in noisy groups to the mountains or to the sea. Only tourists, Afro-Italians and migrant workers wander around the empty streets, looking at each other in disbelief. Eternal Rome seems like a dried-out museum exhibit, mounted on a skeleton of attractions: a square, a church, a fountain, an obelisk.
Ferragosto! Ferragosto!
The city is extinct. The fat is in the fire!
Where are the cars? Where are the people?
Rome is deserted, like an island,
The Romans are sitting in the water.
This is from a poem by Gianni Rodari.
Italians wait for Ferragosto all year and love it, probably more than New Year or Christmas. On the one hand, this holiday embodies the Italian national myth about dolce farniente, blissful “doing nothing,” and the human longing for eternal summer, for a heavenly rest from work, is universal and invariably in demand in European culture. On the other hand, the image of an empty city abandoned by its inhabitants is very attractive and romantic. Maybe that's why Ferragosto has become a favorite subject for Italian writers and directors. The last film about Ferragosto was released in 2008 (Lunch on the Day of the Assumption, Pranzo di Ferragosto) and received several film awards, including the best culinary film of 2009 (Berlin Film Festival). This film tells exactly about the people who remained in empty Rome. About the relationship between son and mother. A middle-aged bachelor, Gianni, goes grocery shopping in the morning, reads The Three Musketeers to his old mother, and makes sure she doesn’t eat Parmesan, which the caring doctor has forbidden. At the end, all the heroes will have a sumptuous lunch on the day of the Assumption. Cuisine connoisseurs like the Italians, of course, celebrate their favorite holiday with a sumptuous feast.
Madonna Assunta
In the Orthodox Church we also celebrate the Dormition on August 15th. According to the old style, of course. But if in Russia they talk about the Dormition “Theotokos Easter”, then the Italians call it “The Ascension of theotokos”, Madonna Assunta, i.e. Madonna Ascended. In Western iconography, it is customary to depict not the Assumption, but rather the Ascension of Mary. In Titian's famous painting Assunta ("Ascended"), which is in the altar of the Franciscan church in Venice, there is not even a hint of death. Only triumph and light of heavenly glory prepared for the Mother of God.
The doctrine of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary was officially dogmatized in the Catholic Church in 1950. Some Catholics believe that the Virgin Mary did not actually die, but only fell into deep sleep and was then bodily ascended to heaven. Be that as it may, both events: the Dormition and the Ascension of the Virgin Mary are celebrated on August 15.
In Rome, until the 16th century, the celebration of the Assumption took place in a special way. Early in the morning of August 15, a procession with an icon of Christ walked through the city from the Lateran Basilica to the Forum, and then to the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, where the procession was greeted with an icon of the Virgin Mary. Thus, the entire procession illustrated how Christ comes to the Mother and takes Her with Him. The Pope walked at the head of the procession, and at sunrise he celebrated a mass in honor of the Dormition of the Mother of God.
Nowadays, not every Italian will remember that Ferragosto is actually the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Priests are forced to remind their flock of this. History has come full circle: once pagan festivals in honor of the harvest and the completion of summer agricultural work were assimilated by Christianity and associated with the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. Now the Catholic feast of the Assumption has in turn become the secular Ferragosto, the holiday of the August holidays.
Ferragosto in the village
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| Ferragosto in Tofia |
I caught Ferragosto celebrating in the town of Toffia. Despite its proximity to Rome (only 40 km to the northeast), Toffia gives the impression of a remote province: all around are green fields, Sabine hills, olive plantations. Residents communicate with each other not in the state Italian language, but in the local Roman dialect, Romano. Buses and trains do not go here; in the town itself there is only one street (not counting many alleys and back streets) and three churches, one of them from the 8th century. This place has a rich and interesting history, but tourists never come here. The residents themselves call Toffia a village (il villagio), but, to be honest, I don’t understand how you can call a stone fortress on a rock that way, in which all the houses are four-story palaces of the 14th-15th centuries.
On August 15, Ferragosto Day, the narrow streets of Toffia are full of people. It’s as if you find yourself in another world, where ordinary modern people, car owners, Internet and mobile phone users, turn into a medieval urban community. There are long tables set up right on the streets, next to the tables there are barbecues with fried sausages, and tents with food and wine. This is all free, at the expense of the municipal community or commune, as they say in Italy.
There is a folk crafts fair on the main square. Several music venues that are hidden in the most unexpected places. They play different things: jazz, rap, even “Moscow Nights”. Despite the non-children's time, children rush through the streets and periodically encounter carnival characters on stilts. But at a table under a lantern, representatives of the local administration, indistinguishable from the rest of the townspeople, are chatting animatedly with some smart old ladies. Fireworks have been set off and we need to get ready to go home. It’s a pity, because all the residents of Toffya will probably stay to celebrate until the morning. I look into the black sky of August and think: it’s worth learning from these people the ability to rejoice in the simplicity of their hearts.
August in Italy is rich in holidays and festivals, which the inhabitants of the Apennines organize in every region, in every province, and almost in every town, trying to show the best that they can do, be it food, wine, music, dancing or revival ancient traditions. Therefore, try to attend at least one of these events, well, at least from this short list.
Enogastronomic holidays
Wine Festival "Star Glasses"(Calici di Stelle) - On August 10, on the night of St. Lawrence, tastings of various high-quality wines will take place in the squares of many Italian cities. “Star Glasses” is a traditional summer event, organized by the “Wine Tourism Movement”. In historical centers, squares and ancient castles, wine tourists who know a lot about good wine will be able to taste the best wines from local cellars in combination with traditional products from the regions of Italy in which this holiday will take place. Tastings led by experienced sommeliers and renowned oenologists will be accompanied by a series of initiatives: concerts of jazz and classical music, historical processions, theatrical performances and pyrotechnic displays. Full list of cities where the holiday will take place.
Photo: amalfieventiguide.com
A celebration of the taste of mozzarella Bufala(Festa delle bontà di bufala) from August 4 to 12 is taking place for the 13th time in Campania in the town of Matinella (in the province of Salerno). In addition to the delicate mozzarella Bufala Campania, awarded the DOP seal, at this celebration of taste you can taste caprese salad, fire-grilled buffalo meat (bufala) and salsicci, as well as soft ricotta ice cream, ricotta with honey and chocolate and many other products that are made here from buffalo meat and milk. In total, there are eight different menus using products from local cheese factories.
Mozzarella Bufala. Photocamperlife. it
Alpine Meadows FestivalAlpages Ouverts» - until August 18, the high alpine pastures of the Alps will be open to everyone who would like to get to know the secrets of creating raw milk products in Valle d'Aosta. Among the Alpine meadows you can try Fontina cheese, butter, yoghurts and many other raw milk products from this area. An educational program is provided for children. The pasture, open these days to tourists, is called Place Moulin, it is located near the lake of the same name, at an altitude of 2115 meters above sea level. There are 70 buffaloes and 15 dairy goats grazing here.
Alpine Meadows Festival. Photoarev. it
Musical events
Ferrara Buskers Festival- From August 17 to 26, an international festival of street musicians will be held in Ferrara (Emilia-Romagna) for the 25th time, this time it will be dedicated to the countries of the European Union. Twenty invited musical groups will represent the entire European continent. The festival will open its curtains on August 17 in the city of Comacchio in the province of Ferrara, and for the next nine days the street musicians will settle down in Ferrara. The festival includes solidarity initiatives in support of those affected by the earthquake in Emilia-Romagna in May.
Ferrara Buskers Festival. Photothetravelnews. it
Night Taranta(La Notte della Taranta) - this festival of folk music of southern Italy and dances such as taranta and pizzica will take place from August 7 to 22 simultaneously in many cities and towns of the province of Lecce in Apulia, but its central location will be the town of Melpignano, for of which this festival is the main event of the year, the big final concert will also take place there on August 25. The festival will be attended by the folk orchestra “Night Taranta” and musician of Yugoslav origin Goran Bregovic.
Night of Taranta. Photogiornaledipuglia.com
Umbria Folk Festival- the festival of folk music and culture will take place from August 21 to 26 in the historical center of Orvieto (Umbria). This musical festival, organized by the Umbria Folk Festival Association, has already become one of the most exciting events of the musical summer both in Umbria and throughout Italy, uniting music, wine and gastronomy, folk traditions and different cultures. After last year's success, when the festival attracted more than 30,000 guests, this year the Umbria Folk Festival plans to further expand its horizons, adding both musical performances and high-level cultural events.
Photo festival.blogsfere.it
Historical holidays
Palio of Siena- in Piazza del Campo in Siena on August 16, the second Palio horse race will take place, which the residents of Siena hold twice a year - on July 2 (in honor of the Madonna di Provenzano) and on August 16 (in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin). Each race involves 10 of the 17 contrades into which Siena is divided. After the traditional medieval procession and the performance of the standard bearers, the horses begin to enter the main city square. Each of the riders receives a whip, with which during the race he can drive the horse or try to hinder his rivals. A horse that is left without a rider but comes first also brings victory to its contrade.
Photo toscanaetirreno.com
Medieval crossbow shooting(Balestro del Girifalco) - in the Tuscan city of Massa Marittima (province of Grosseto) on August 14 at 21.00 a historical medieval festival will begin for the 109th time, during which crossbowmen will compete in shooting accuracy at an image of a hawk placed on the wall. These competitions, according to ancient rules, are traditionally held in May and August and are reminiscent of the times when Massa Marittima became a free city. The first mentions of these competitions date back to the 14th-15th centuries.
Shooting from a crossbow. Photoviverelatoscana.blogspot.it
Termini Roman(Termini Romana) - For one week from August 13 to 20, the Sicilian city of Termini Imerese in the province of Palermo will go back 2,000 years to experience the life and customs of the ancient Romans. How the ancient Romans lived, how they dressed, what and how they ate, who the gladiators were... during the holiday you can see with your own eyes the answers to all these questions. The culmination of the holiday will be on August 18, 19 and 20. On these days, from 21.00 to 24.00, a large performance will take place at Villa Palmeri, bringing together more than a hundred participants in traditional clothes characteristic of the distant past. A Roman camp will be set up, ancient baths with their ancient traditions will appear, an arena with gladiators, a Senate, and of course, a real Roman dinner will be offered. The central line of the holiday will be the story of Stenio, the famous citizen of Termini, who lived in the 1st century BC. and, unjustly accused by Gaius Licinius Verres, the despotic ruler of Sicily (73-71 BC), was defended by Cicero before the Roman Senate.
Moment of the Termini Roman holiday. Photo eventisagre.it
Art exhibitions
On August 15, when Ferragosto is celebrated throughout Italy, combining the celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the end of summer agricultural work, as well as the height of the holiday season, all state museums in Italy will be open to the public.
"Behind the Set"(Fuori dal set) - an exhibition of photographs by Chiara Samugeo under this title will run throughout August at the National Cinema Museum (Mole Antonelliana) in Turin. The exhibition reflects the more than 40-year career of the first Italian female photographer, Chiara Samugeo, who, since the 50s of the last century, photographed famous actresses around the world for the most famous magazines. The exhibition is open all days of the week except Monday, from 9 to 20 hours, on Saturday - from 9 to 23.
One of Chiara Samugeo's works. Photo torino.blogsfere.it
Other holidays
Fireworks Festival "Fire Flowers"(Fiori di Fuoco) is the most spectacular pyrotechnic event of this summer. From July 28 to August 26, in Piedmont, from Lake Maggiore to Lake Orta, these summer nights will be lit up with colorful lights from the world's best pyrotechnic teams.
On Saturday, August 4, in the city of Arona on the shores of Lake Maggiore at 23.00 a fiery performance by the Brazilian group Domberg Show Pirotecnico is expected.
On Saturday, August 11, at 21.30, the Spanish Elite Fuegos Artificiales will perform in the city of Verbania on Lake Maggiore. On Tuesday, August 14, at 21.30 in Santa Maria Maggiore, the Austrians Feuerwerke Jost will show their fiery performance.
On Wednesday, August 15, at 22.30 in Laveno-Mombello, the fourth evening of the fire festival will be presented by a group from China, Forward Fireworks.
On Sunday, August 19, at 21.30 in the city of Omegna on Lake Orta, the Italian team of fireworks masters FAS will show their art.
On Sunday, August 26, at 21.30, also in the city of Omeña, the final evening of the fire festival will be held by a group from Canada, Apogee Fireworks.
Photo eventi.com
International Sand Sculpture Festival entitled “The Miracles of Basilicata” (Meraviglie di Basilicata) takes place from August 1 to 5 in the south of Italy, in Marina di Pisticci (province of Matera), on beach 48 (Lido Quarantotto). This festival of giant sand sculptures, up to three meters high, is being held here for the fifth time, this year the theme chosen for it is “The End of the World Foretold by the Mayans.” For sand works, 40 tons of sand are used. Among the honorary participants are sand sculptors from Japan, America and Holland, who together will create one impressive sand composition 10 meters long, 20 meters wide and 4 meters high. During the festival, spectators can not only admire the finished sand sculptures, but also observe the process of their birth. The finished sculptures, secured with a special spray, will remain on the beach for some time after the end of the festival, as an open-air museum.
Sand castles. Photo eventiesagre. it
Aeroshow in Porto Recanati (province of Macerati, Marche region) on August 4 from 16.00 and August 5 from 14.30 on the Scarfiotti promenade there will be an aerial performance with the participation of the famous Italian aerobatic team "Frecce Tricolori" (Tri-colored arrows).
The origin of Ferragosto is associated with the pagan rites of the ancient Romans (consualia), dedicated to the mythological god of agriculture - Consus. They were celebrated in August, hence the phrase “Have a nice August holiday!” sounded like “Bonas ferias augustales”, or briefly “Buonas ferragosto”. Later, the Catholic Church timed this celebration to coincide with the Day of the Assumption, as well as the Ascension of the Mother of God.
Today this day is extremely important not only for Catholic believers, but for everyone who plans to travel to Italy. For two weeks after Ferragosto, Italy comes to a standstill: the streets are empty, almost all shops are closed, enterprises and organizations also suspend their work.
One of the oldest traditions, naturally, are religious processions (the holiday has been officially considered religious for many centuries), although they differ depending on the city. In Palermo, a statue of the Madonna is carried through the city by young men, in Sassari, huge papier-mâché candlesticks in the shape of palm trees are carried through the city, in Tivoli, statues of the Virgin and Christ meet each other.
In many Italian cities, the holiday ends with large fireworks.
In Lombardy and Piedmont, until the first decades of the 20th century, there was a custom of cash or food gifts to subordinates from their superiors, which allowed workers to properly celebrate Ferragosto.
In Turin, until the mid-20th century, many townspeople on August 15 went for lunch at a restaurant or for a picnic in a park on the banks of the Po River, not far from the Madonna del Pilone church, notes Italia-ru.
In the city of Porto Santo Stefano in Tuscany, on the day of Ferragosto, the maritime Palio del Argentario is held - an ancient rowing boat competition, very reminiscent of a colorful carnival.
In Siena, the day after Ferragosto, August 16, the traditional Palio is held - a horse race, also dedicated to the Ascension of the Virgin Mary.
In Rome, until the beginning of the 20th century, Piazza Navona was filled with water every Sunday throughout August. Swimming in the makeshift pool was accompanied by jokes, splashes and being pushed into the water.
Roast pigeons have long been considered the traditional and most delicious dish of this holiday. Now its popularity remains only in some areas of the country, and this tradition was born in Tuscany a thousand years ago.
In Ferragosto, Sicily, they prepare “gelu di muluna” - frozen melon jam, garnished with lemon leaves and jasmine flowers.
In Rome, Ferragosto's traditional lunch dish is chicken in bell pepper sauce, often preceded by chicken liver pasta, and finished with chilled watermelon.
"Margheritine di Stresa" is a festive cookie. Invented by a pastry chef in Stresa in 1857, "Margheritine di Stresa" cookies became so popular that they were served to the guests of Queen Margherita during the celebration of Ferragosto.
In the regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, Ferragosto baked aniseed pretzels, placing them in beautiful holiday packages.
These traditions have not been preserved in all places, but one rule is imperishable - after Ferragosto, hoping to find open shops, cafes or restaurants in Italy is almost hopeless. Some establishments, of course, will open in 2-3 days, but most Italians will return to work in at least a week, and usually in two.