celebrazioni

8/14/2019 celebrazioni

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Italian celebrationsin the four seasons


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January 1

New Year

World Day of

Peace


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January 6

Epiphany

Celebrated on the sixth of January,

it originally began as a celebration

of the birth of Jesus, and is stillcelebrated as that in the Eastern

Orthodox Church. However, when

the Catholic Church decided to

celebrate Christmas on December

25th the meaning of the holidaychanged. Greek for

"miracle,"Epiphany has evolved

into a celebration of the end of the

Christmas season, the literal

Twelfth Day of Christmas.


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The Befana is represented as an ancient

Santa Claus-like figure whose name means

"giver of gifts" and appears as a friendly old

witch who rides through the air on a

broomstick, dropping through chimneys to fill

stockings up with toys and candy.

The celebration dell'Epifania is accompanied

by different symbols and traditions of very

ancient derivation (solar cults) mixed up

contamination as the most recent:* The Comet Star who leads the Magi

(Eastern tradition contaminated by

Christianity);

* The ignition of fireworks wishes (solar

cults);* Exchange of gifts;

* Tour;

* The tradition of gifts to children (in

sock).


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February14

Saint Valentine:patron saint of

lovers


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( CELEBRATIONVARIABLE )

In our tradition the period from January 17 until the Tuesdaypreceding Ash Wednesday (Shrove Tuesday) is dedicated to theCarnival. The spirit of this holiday is expressed by an oldproverb "a carnevale ogni scherzo vale" (a carnival every jokeis good), in fact every one forget everyday problems and,protected by the mask that makes it unrecognizable, is free tolaugh and eat their fill. Carnival has origins in ancient Romewhere there were several celebrations in honor of the gods,along the streets of the city and that included the use of masks.

Towards the end of the sixteenth century, in Italy born the"Commedia dell'arte", which used the Italian masks, iecharacters that reappear in every comedy with the same name,the same costume, the makeup or masks, the same language.These characters, like Harlequin, Pantalone, Colombina, DrBalanzone, Pulcinella became famous throughout Europe.Disappeared over time from the scene of the theater, the maskshave survived only in festivals and masked carnival.


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Today, the typical Italian ancient masks, such as Pulcinella, Arlecchino,Today, the typical Italian ancient masks, such as Pulcinella, Arlecchino,

Balanzone, etc.. are linked to caricatures of vices and defects of theBalanzone, etc.. are linked to caricatures of vices and defects of the

inhabitants of various regions of Italy Each year many are the emergenceinhabitants of various regions of Italy Each year many are the emergence

of new and imaginative masks along with their ancestors and all together,of new and imaginative masks along with their ancestors and all together,like a long time ago, the same goal: to ensure happiness. Today thelike a long time ago, the same goal: to ensure happiness. Today the

carnival is celebrated with events everywhere, masked parades, floats.carnival is celebrated with events everywhere, masked parades, floats.

The mask performs several functions: vegetative symbol of the forces ofThe mask performs several functions: vegetative symbol of the forces of

nature, animals or the dead, is to exorcise and mock the form of satire andnature, animals or the dead, is to exorcise and mock the form of satire and

hierarchical authority figures. Typical are the manifestations of mere touristhierarchical authority figures. Typical are the manifestations of mere touristattractions, like the carnival of Viareggio, where "wagons" playing inattractions, like the carnival of Viareggio, where "wagons" playing in

caricature form, the events during the year. Often, the carnival ends withcaricature form, the events during the year. Often, the carnival ends with

the trial, sentencing and execution at the stakeof a doll that embodiesthe trial, sentencing and execution at the stakeof a doll that embodies

Carnival, which are assigned all the blame.Carnival, which are assigned all the blame.


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March 19

Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed VirginMary . Fathers day


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CelebrationVARIABLE

Easter


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The Christian Easter, as celebrated in Italy,

is preceded by a period of penance. This

space of time, said Lent, the period of forty

days go by Ash (Ash Wednesday is the day

when the priest puts ashes on the heads of

the faithful, in memory of olive blessed

burnt residue) to Saturday Santo (Saturday

before Easter), provides food moderation.

Over the last few days before Easter

Sunday, Italy, as in many Catholic

countries, held various rituals that recall

the Passion of Christ. On this occasion,

take place many folkloristic ceremonies in

which are represented some episodes of

the Passion,are blessed the homes, are

used the paschal lamb, eggs and sweets

in the shape of a dove. ?The use of givingeggs is linked to the fact that Easter

coincides with the beginning of spring,

which was celebrated with ancient rituals

for fertility and renewal of nature. The egg

symbolizes, in fact, that life is renewed. ?


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After the long preparation for Lent, the pace

of evocative rites of the Passion is

intensifying, reaching the summit on Friday.

With Semana Santa community of the faithful

live a day of mourning Universal, expressed

through various forms of popularparticipation. In many Italian regions, at

dawn on Friday, the women go to church and

a bare knees on the floor, read a brief prayer.

Many of the prayers of today are very old,

some dating back to the fifteenth century. In

addition to prayer, are recited copies of theevents that accompanied the death and

resurrection of Christ. This is the most direct

way for people to participate in the pain of

loss. Thus, in the regions of Italy are in place

many performances in which, since the

Middle Ages, it recalls the death of Jesus.


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April 25

Anniversary of theliberation (1945)


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Celebration VARIABLE (from 11May to 11 June).

Pentecost Sunday


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May 1

Feast of workers


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Celebration mobile (the

second Sunday of May)

Mother's Day


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June 2

Feast of theItalianRepublic


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June 24The equinoxes and solstices were very

important moments in the lives of farmers and

shepherds. Since old time the change ofdirection that the sun makes between 21 and22

June, resuming his race on the horizon on the

24 was hailed as the beginning of a new period

of life. This day, known as summer solstice, is

still remembered and expected, as the first day

of summer, and is associated with magicalfeast of St. John the Baptis.The sun at this time

seems to stand always in the same place until

June 24 when rising again to move gradually on

the south of horizon determes the stretch or

shorten of days. Even the old men realize these

changes and celebrated the event with differentfestivities

The name derives from the Christian religion,

because according to its liturgical calendar is

celebrated St. John the Baptist.

St. John and the summer solstice


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In this holiday, according to an ancient belief the sun

(fire) goes with the moon (water): hence the rites and

uses of bonfires and the dew, in the popular tradition.

It is no coincidence that the attributes of S. John arethe fire and water

Over time, there was a mix of ancient traditions, pagan

ritual and Christian, which gave rise to beliefs and

rituals still in use today and found mostly in rural

areas.

It is seen as a magical moment and as the period of

collection of plants and herbs for use in operations

magical.


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August9

Anniversary of the end of World War

II

Th i ht f St L


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The night of St. Lawrence

The night of August 10 is the night of shooting stars

considered according to the collective imagination as

the tears of St. Lawrence. If scientifically the fall of the

stars is attributable to step inside of orbit visual land,

the asteroids in the constellation Perseus ( preciselythose Perseids), culturally rain of stars was developed

in a more poetic. Tonight is, in fact, from old time

dedicated to martyrdom of San Lorenzo, from the third

century buried in Rome, and shooting stars are the

tears paid by the saint during his torture, wandering

eternally in heaven, and descend on earth only the daywhen Lorenzo died. On this night, in fact, we believe

we can happen the wishes of all those who remember

the pain of San Lorenzo, and every shooting star

pronounced the words "Star, my beautiful star, I wish

you", and expects the desired event during the year.

In popular tradition, the stars of August 10 are alsocalled fires of San Lorenzo, because remember the

sparks coming from grate with fire on which the martyr

was killed, then fly up into the sky

10

SaintLorenzo


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August15

Recruitment of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Ferragosto.


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Ferragosto (from the Latin Feriae Augusti = rest of August), is a very special

day. Looking on the calendar says "Assumption of the Virgin Mary in

heaven" and in fact the church celebrates the transfer "recruitment" of Mary

Virgin in Paradise. In many places in Italy held processions in honour of this

event.

In fact, August was an ancient festival that took place on August 15 to

celebrate the end of the main farm work At the same time, workers give

their wishes to owners getting a tip in exchange.

Such use is always held in Rome, so that during the renaissance was made

compulsory by papal decrees.

The anniversary also connects with "Consualia," the period of celebrationand relaxation in ancient Rome is devoted to the god Conso, protector of

agriculture.

In the early imperial age (18 c) leave these were known as "Augustali", in

honor of Octavian Augustus, from which derives the current designation of

August.During the festivities, throughout the empire organized horse races and

draught animals (horses, donkeys and mules) were exempt from work and

embellished with flowers.

The Ferragosto is for the Italians a day of rest and evasion. Many enjoy this

day to go to sea, to visit cultural sites, to organize trips in the mountains orsimply seek refreshment from the summer heat.


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October 4

St Francis of Assisi patron of Italy

N b


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November1

All Saints

day

All Saint day is

celebrated in honorof all the Catholic

Saints and Martyrs

N b 2


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November 2

commemoration of the dead

The commemoration of deceases is

the holidays that the Catholic Church

dedicated to the the dead. It is a time

to remember the deceases, a day of

religious significance, which fuse with

ancient rites and folk beliefs. A pattern

recurs in the folk traditions of the feastof the dead is the belief that in this day

missing loved ones come back to visit

us on earth. For this reason, the rites

of commemoration took throughoutItaly meanings and purposes like:

welcome, comfort, soothe the souls of

dead ancestors.


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November4

Feast of the armed forces. Celebration in honor of

the fallen


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November 11

St. Martin of Tours patron members ofthe Infantry

ecem er


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ecem er8

Solemnity of the

Immaculate Conception

It is a Holy Day ofObligation. The

faithful are required to

attend Mass, where

they commemoratewhen Mary was

graced by God to lead

a life completely free

of sin


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December 25

Christmas


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Feast of St.

Stephen

December 26December 26

It is part of the Twelve Days

of Christmas, and marks the

day of St. Stephen, the first

martyr for the newborn king.

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