ITALIAN TRADITIONS

NATIONAL FESTIVALS

17° MARCH 2011 In 1861 Italy became a unified State by the expedition of «Mille » guided by G. Garibaldi They were one thousand inexperienced men that liberated Sicily from the Bourbons. Every 50 years Italy remembers this important event with a lot of celebrations all over the country.

GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI

25° APRIL

Liberation from Fascism

On 25° April, 1945 Italy was liberated by American troops with the helping of the partisans. They defeated the troops of Mussolini. From that day every year is celebrated the feast of liberation with outdoor parties and picnics.

1° MAY

Labors’ Day

In Italy on 1° May all people celebrate the Labour’s Day. It is celebrated in memory to all the achievements of labor unions after many battles. The origin of the festival dates back to a similar celebration practiced especially in the U.S. in 1896.

2° JUNE

Republic’s Day

On 2° June,1946 was born the Italian Republic.

SALEMI TRADITONS

The castle

SAINT BLAISE’S FEAST

It is celebrated on 3rd February in one of the most ancient quarter in Salemi named “Rabato”. Saint Blaise is the protector of the throat.

His celebration is characterised by two typical shapes of bread:

“li cuddureddi” are round leaves of bread representting the throat and according to the devouts they have thaumaturgy virtues; “li cavadduzzi”recall the grace received in 1542 when the Saint saved the fields from a huge locust invasion.

SAINT JOSEPH’S FEAST

ON 19° MARCH During this feast the work and the family are

two very important elements but there is the sublimation of bread that is considered a final compensation after a long year of handwork. It consists of a banquet offered by devouts to a group of children symbolizing the “Holy family”.

THE TYPICAL DISHES FOR ST. JOSEPH’FEAST IN SALEMI

SICILIAN TRADITIONS

PROCESSION OF SAINT FRIDAY REPRESENTS THE WAY OF THE CROSS

THE MYSTERIES The procession of the mysteries of

Trapani is a day long procession which is held on Friday before Easter. Twenty wood chariots with cannas and glue sculptures of scenes of the Passion are carried around the town on the shoulders of the faithful. It’s the oldest religious events in Europe. It has been playing every Good Friday since 1612. The origins are the Spanish “carazas” of Siviglia.

SANTA ROSALIA FESTIVAL IN PALERMO

SAINT ROSALIA Saint Rosalia also called “la Santuzza” is the patron

saint of Palermo. The celebration to honour the saint is called “festino” and it is held each year on July 15. It’s one of the most major social and religious events. The legend says that in 1624 a horrible plague hounted Palermo. Saint Rosalia appeared to a sick woman and then to a hunter. She showed him where her remains were buried and she ordered him to bring her bones to Palermo and to carry them in procession. The hunter climbed the mountain and found the bones. They were brought in procession and the plague stopped immediately.

INFIORATA IN NOTO

THE INFIORATA

Noto has had an annual flower festival, the “Infiorata”. Every May since the 1980s, the streets have been decorated with floral works of art. Artists work with a special organic soil to outline a scene on the sidewalk. Then they cover the outline with flowers to form an artistic work which look like a painting.

FEAST OF ALMOND BLOSSOMIN AGRIGENTO

FEAST OF ALMOND BLOSSOM

The almond blossom festival was held for the first time in Noro, near Agrigento, to advertise typical Sicilian products. Then the festival moved to Agrigento. The most important event of the festival is the starting of the “friendship torch”. Many folkloristic groups come from all over the world to dance around the temple.

CARNIVAL OF ACIREALE AND SCIACCA

THE ORIGINS

It dates back to the Roman period of Sicily because it is linked to an ancient Roman feast of “saturnali”. But the real beginning of the feast which, nowadays we can admire, is 1616. It is a parade of some allegorical wagons followed by masked groups.

The coordinatorsStudents: Maria Francesca Cucchiara Priscilla Balsamo

Teachers: Vincenza Lipari Ignazia Drago