Many tourists, going to Italy, specially plan a trip to certain dates in order to get closer to the national color, get acquainted with folk traditions or special holiday dishes of national cuisine. BlogoItaliano already talked about some of the main holidays of the Italian year in the first part of this article, but there were too many of them, and we, in order not to lose in quality, decided to postpone half of the holidays for the second part ...
Republic Day, June 2
At the very beginning of summer, Italians magnificently and solemnly celebrate Republic Day: on this day they recall the events that occurred in 1946 - on election day June 1, the country forever said goodbye to the monarchy and switched to a republican form of government.
Military orchestras play on Italian streets on Republic Day
In major cities of Italy in Republic Day parades, air shows and displays of military equipment are organized - in Rome, the parade is opened by the president himself. On a holiday, military bands play in the streets and parks, concerts take place in the squares, museums and exhibition halls open the doors for visitors.
Assumption of the Virgin, August 15
Ferragosto, or Assumption of the Virgin - the only official holiday in Italy in August. In many regions of the country it is celebrated with concerts, festivals, parades and, of course, unchanged fireworks. Young people celebrate Ferragosto, making bonfires on the beaches and arranging gatherings around them until the morning.
Today, the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin is the beginning of summer holidays
Once this holiday marked the end of the season of great summer work, today Assumption of the Virgin - A kind of start to the beginning of massive summer vacations. In mid-August, the cities of Italy seem to die out: everyone who has the opportunity goes to rest on the coast or in the mountains, which is why grand traffic jams form on the outskirts of popular resorts. The main museums and attractions of Italy are open, but many factories, manufactures, as well as restaurants and shops are closed for the holidays, so for shopping the second half of August is far from the best time.
All Saints Day, November 1
On the first day of November is the largest autumn festival in Italy - All Saints' Day, considered the day of sorrow and veneration of the departed ancestors, relatives and friends. On this day, ceremonial memorial masses are held in the country's churches, and the next day, November 2, Italians go to cemeteries to lay flowers on the graves of their loved ones.
All Saints Day for youth is another opportunity to have fun
The pagan customs of the celebration of All Saints Day, originally arising in English-speaking countries, have also survived - on the night of October 31, city streets are filled with people dressed up as evil spirits. They light the lamps made of pumpkin and go on a march through the yards, frightening the owners and demanding that they be bought in the form of sweets or money. Halloween nightclubs and bars are especially noisy and fun - there are costumed parties with various games and contests.
Immaculate Conception, December 8
In early December, Italy celebrates one of the main Catholic holidays - the Immaculate Conception Day of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On this day, ceremonial services dedicated to the holiday are held in the country's churches. On the main square of Rome, a statue of the Virgin Mary is installed, which is decorated with wreaths and flowers; in Naples, flowers are laid in the hands of the Madonna’s statue, and since the statue is very tall, firefighters do it. State institutions are closed on December 8, while private companies work or do not work at their discretion.
In Naples Madonna's statue is decorated with local firefighters
Immaculate Conception - It’s also the day of the beginning of Christmas events: Christmas markets and fairs begin to work across the country, streets are decorated with festive garlands, Christmas trees are set up, and children receive their first gifts.
Christmas, December 25
Christmas in Italy is the most beloved and most fun holiday. The Italians are carefully preparing for it - they arrange grandiose cleanings, get rid of old things, decorate houses and apartments with Christmas trees and festive illuminations, buy gifts for relatives and friends, prepare traditional Christmas dishes.
Christmas markets and fairs are open all over Italy, and nativity competitions are held - theatrical performances reflecting the details of the birth of the baby Jesus. The dolls representing the Magi, Shepherds, Mary, Joseph and Christ himself can be of various sizes depending on the place where the performance is organized - the largest nativity scene is installed, of course, on the square near St. Peter's Basilica, where you can see the main Christmas tree in Italy . In many Italian families, it is customary to arrange scenes from biblical stories at home - both puppets and living people can act as actors.
On Christmas, many families set up small nativity scenes in their homes
In most churches, festive Christmas services are held, festive tables are set in the houses, the kindest Babbo Natale brings gifts to children, and adults give gifts to each other. On Christmas Eve, carnival processions, various musical and theatrical performances, fireworks and fireworks take place on the streets of cities.
Most restaurants and cafes do not work for Christmas, so those who want to spend a festive evening in a cafe should take care of this in advance - familiarize themselves with the opening hours and book a table. Government agencies, banks, as well as many shops also do not work on Christmas.
St. Stephen's Day, December 26
St. Stephen's Day - the patron saint of Italy, Italians celebrate with bright colorful processions and carnivals. The most grandiose carnival is organized in the city of Putignano - according to sources, the first such event was held here in the XIV century. By tradition, the carnival begins with Propaggine - a solemn ceremony of transferring the relics of St. Stephen, this process is certainly accompanied by music, songs and dances.
Celebration of St. Stephen's Day ends with a grand carnival
The main character of the carnival is Farinella, a guy dressed in a suit with bright patches, decorated with sonorous bells. His name comes from the name of barley and pea flour, which was once the main food of the peasants.
Ends St. Stephen's Day comic funerals - say goodbye to Mr. Carnival. An hour before the end of the holiday, the church bell starts ringing, beating the time remaining before the fasting - as soon as the bell stops, songs and dances stop, and a handful of ash is sprayed over the heads of the assembly, symbolizing the beginning of days in which you have to limit yourself.
Photos by: Deborah Guber, Daniele Lanci, Yelp Inc., The New Deal Magazine, Francesco Crippa, Angelo Amboldi, Cristiano Cani.
