On October 26th we celebrate the Italian way of honouring the past: folklore and traditions have a special place in the Italian culture!
Getting ready to celebrate National Folklore Day: Italy is a land of stories, traditions, and nostalgia. There isn’t a town without a unique event or tradition that has been carried on for centuries. Everything — almost — remains the same, and on those days, it feels like time hasn’t passed.
There is truly something special about the folklore of a place, and it teaches us so much about a destination.
It’s hard to choose just a few examples, so we’ve decided to explore different categories instead:
Traditions with food
Last year we talked about chestnuts, their significance in the farming world, and the festivals that take place during this season. Italy has many traditions and fairs related to food and wine. In Emilia-Romagna (the town of Santarcangelo di Romagna), there is a festival dedicated to mosto, the first production of grapes. In the small town of Marino, near Rome, in October, the town’s fountains turn water into wine! Or you can celebrate the season’s star ingredient: in the town of Venzone (in the northeast of Italy), pumpkins are celebrated, including competitions for the largest one, and the town transforms into a medieval village.
Animals as protagonists
Animals have long been companions for humans, yet they often symbolize something frightening or primordial. One of the oldest traditions in Italy is that of the snake-catchers in central Italy (town of Cocullo). On May 1st, a parade featuring the statue of Saint Domenico is accompanied by snake-catchers carrying real, live snakes. This tradition dates back to pagan times, even before Christ. Another important animal is the horse. In the town of Jelsi, horse parades and competitions are held in August to honor an animal that has played a fundamental role in the region’s history, both agriculturally and socially.
Spirits and death
‘Tis the season! Halloween is just around the corner, but the real festivities are on November 1st, All Saints’ Day (a national holiday), and November 2nd, the Day of the Dead. The Fair of the Dead in Perugia is held every year in the early days of November and serves as an occasion to celebrate the memory of those who have left us, with traditional food and markets, including funeral items. In Sicily, during Easter, the town of Collesano celebrates the souls in purgatory with a mystical and devoted procession that reflects on the salvation of souls and spirituality.
Tournaments
The fun is saved for last: tournaments, games, and competitions are integral parts of many folkloric traditions. One of the most famous historical traditions is the Palio of Siena in Tuscany. A similar event, featuring horse tournaments between the town’s districts, takes place in Impruneta (near Florence), where the games are dedicated to the Madonna of the Snow. On the island of Sardinia, in the town of Cabras, every September since 1619 AD, young men dressed in white and barefoot run to the near village San Salvatore di Sinis, carrying the statue of Saint Salvatore. This tradition dates back to the Moorish incursions into the region.
When traveling to Italy, don’t settle for average. Look around the corner and find unexpected paths. Experience the destination. Follow us! We are ready to plan your visit!
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