Mid-August Holidays in Italy: the formation of festivities and local traditions

 

The anticipated August 15th is finally coming up: it is the day of summer fun by definition, it is celebrated in most parts of the world and originates in Italy.

 

Mid-August (Ferragosto) derives from Latin feriae Augusti, an expression which refers to the festivities that emperor Ottavian Augustus estalished, in 18 B.C., to give Roman people a rest period in the middle of August, after a long period of hard agricultural work.

During those fun times the whole town was full of horse races and draught animals wearing floral crowns and cloaks in order to pay homage to the Roman people and thank them for their work on the fields.

Around the seventh century, the date of 15 August acquired its major importance for the Catholic Church and was called the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary to remember the elevation of her pure soul and body to heaven. The dogma was only recongnised in 1950 and was proclaimed by Pope Pious XIII in the apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus.

The ancien traditions of Mid-August are still alive in many Italian locations (even all over the world). They draw the attention of so many inhabitants and curious tourists that they have become local symbolic events.

 

The celebrations of Mid-August holidays in Italy, home of the festivity

 

Marche – Palio dell’Assunta in Fermo

Since 1182, Palio dell’Assunta in Fermo has been the biggest Medieval commemoration in Italy, characterised by parades in medieval costumes, religious celebrations and sports tournaments, established in honour of the territorial supremacy of the town, on the occasion of the patronal feast of the Madonna.

The event is preceded by a draw for horses (each horse represents one of the ten town districts), by historical games and by banquets with local culinary specialities.

 

Lazio – Palio of the quarters in Allumiere

Since 1965, on the first Sunday after 15 August, Allumiere has enjoyed the Palio of the Quarters in the north-west of Rome.

During this renowned and bizarre race, the protagonists are donkeys instead of horses; each donkey represents one of the six quarters which traditionally make up the whole district.

The Palio is preceded by dancing and evening entertainment, dinners with traditional dishes, parades in Rinascimental costumes, and parades of flag-waving.

 

Tuscany – Palio of Assunta in Siena

The Palio in Siena is one of the most ancient traditions in Italy, and it was established when the city became one of the richest in the south of Europe.

From the very beginning, this event was an important occasion for people to celebrate the magnificence and the territorial supremacy of the city, in honour of Maria Vergine Assunta, Patron Saint of Siena, on 16 August.

In the previous days, just before Mid-August holidays, the 17 districts of Siena enjoy general rehearsals, training sessions of jockeys and horses and cultural initiatives of local traditions which are increasingly valued by foreign tourists.

Nowadays The Palio in Siena has gained a widespread international interest and it is watched live on television by millions of viewers.

 

Sardinia – Faradda de li candareri

In the heart of Sassari, in the evening before Mid-August holidays, the most important and heartfelt religious procession of Sardinian society takes place: it is called the Faradda.

Traditionally the procession derives from an ancient vow to the Madonna in 1652, which might have saved the whole population from the coming of the plague, the leading cause of death in Europe at the time.

Faradda is a dancing procession in which the representatives of the Siena people, called “Candelieri”, carry some symbolic candles on the shoulders, and they are followed by a procession of faithful followers.

In 2013 it was proclaimed by UNESCU as a celebration of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.

 

Mid-August celebrations throughout the world

 

Elche – Representation of the Sacred Mysteries of Elx

On 14 and 15 August an opera speaks of the sacred mystery of Assumption and of the Virgin Mary Coronation, with the representation of ancient Elx mysteries in the magnificent Baroque basilica of Santa Maria, near Alicante.

The opera, proposed again on the days before Mid-August, traditionally performed in the ancient Valencian language, was proclaimed by UNESCU as an oral and intangible heritage of humanity.

 

Madrid – Festivity of Paloma

Since the eighteenth century, 15 August has been traditionally one of the most important day for the Madrid people, who meet each other in La Latina to celebrate the Virgen de la Paloma, with a religious procession in traditional costumes and spectacular songs and dances.

The historical origin of the festivity comes from the discovery of a painting of the Madonna by some children. The painting was sold to a devoted woman who established a place of worship for the Madrid people, giving the opportunity to share the piece of sacred art.

The icon is still the protagonist of the celebration.

 

Canada – Acadian day

On the occasion of the famous religious Mid-August, since 1884 Canada has celebrated Acadia, the first French colony in North America.

The two different aspects of this national day are religion and politics. They are both represented by the regional flag, which has a bright and gold star in honour of the Divine Protector of the city.

 

Ireland – “Féile Mhuire ‘sa bhFomhar”

With rituals and local costum, 15 August assumes a renowned value for the Ireland people, who have proposed again, through the centuries, the rest period and the celebrations given to the court servants in the past. This celebration is in honour of the Virgin Mary Assumption and takes place at the end of August.

During the celebration, the traditional sea bathing, with its regenerating effects, is a must.

 

India – Freedom and Independence

15 August is an historic day for India because it corresponds to the Independence from Great Britain on 15 August 1947. On this day, the campaign of civil disobedience of Indian people, led by Mahatma Gandhi, obtained the victory.

In order to celebrate freedom and independence, during the whole day, the communities stage events, military parades, school performances and the Indian Minister gives speeches .