Brochure "Italy now"

Abruzzo: a Land to Celebrate
Abruzzo: a Land to Celebrate
Tradition flourishes in colorful feasts
Abruzzo is rich in history. Every season
has feasts and festivals that make
Abruzzo an ideal location for travelers
interested in the traditions of folklore and
faith. In addition to these special events, piazzas,
parks, castles, and beaches in big cities
and small towns are the venues of performances
all year long.
JANUARY – January is filled with religious
events such as the Nativity Play in
Rivisondoli (on the 5th) and The Kiss of
Baby Jesus in Lama dei Peligni (on the 6th).
During the Nativity Play, all the citizens of
Rivisondoli take part, dressed as shepherds,
the Three Kings, Roman soldiers, or pilgrims,
bring the nativity scene to life. The
most sought after role is that of the Virgin
Mary, and for the selection of the girl to play
the part there are hard-fought contests with
strict juries and long, secret conclaves. For
the latter, on the evening of the Epiphany,
the villagers, especially the children, in costume
of 1759, go to the church to kiss the
statue of Gesù Bambino, kept inside a precious
silver urn.
Equally entertaining events are the
Panarda in Villalonga, a ritual banquet (on
the 17th), and the reenactment of Saint
Joseph’s Wedding in San Martino sulla
Marrucina (on the 23rd).
FEBRUARY – On the 3rd, the town of Taranta
Peligna hosts the festival of the Panicelle of San
Biagio. Special breads called panicelle are
baked in the shape of a four-fingered hand.
For carnival, the most fun event is the Fancy
Dress Procession in Francavilla al Mare.
MARCH – On the 18th and 19th, the town
of Monteferrante celebrates the Tables of
Saint Joseph, where families set out a feast
table, upon which sits the image of St Joseph.
This holiday is celebrated in nearby
Molise, too.
EASTER – Many spectacular events are held
for this special holiday: in Vasto, on the
Friday before Good Friday, there is the
Procession of the Holy Thorn. The relic is
said to come from Christ’s thorn crown, and
for centuries it was kept in a chapel in Santa
Maria Maggiore. On Good Friday the festivities
are many, including the reenactment of
The Official Guide to Italian Tourism
Lacework from Scanno.
the Suffering of Christ in Gessopalena.
On Easter day we should mention the celebrations
of the Good Day in Panella.
APRIL – The festival of the Loads in San
Salvo (on the 29th) and the festival of the
Splendor of Mary in Giulianova (on the
22nd), are the only non-Easter related events.
MAY – This spring month hosts numerous
unique events including the scary but
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Parade of the
Giostra Cavalleresca
in Sulmona.
extremely interesting Procession of the
Serpari (snake hunters) of Cocullo. During
the procession the statue of St. Dominick is
covered with live snakes, symbols of unpredictability.
In Pretoro, on the first Monday in
May, another gathering of snake hunters
takes place immediately before the sacred
play Lu Lope (The Wolf). On the same day
there are the feasts of Mary of the Cross in
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Photo courtesy of regione Abruzzo
Photo courtesy of regione Abruzzo