Abruzzo - Events and Festivals

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Info about the events and festivals in Abruzzo:

The richness of Abruzzo in terms of history and faith means the year is full of traditional feasts and festivals and is thus a superb location for people interested in expressions of popular faith. The delightful natural scenery often acts as a wonderful backdrop to these events.

January Winter’s coldest month has many traditional festivals. The first of the month is The Nativity Play in Rivisondoli (5th) and then The Kiss of Baby Jesus in Lama dei Peligni (6th). This is followed by the celebrations for Sant’Antonio Abate, including the “Cottore” in Collelongo and the “Panarda” in Villavallelonga, both accompanied by ritual banquets (16th and 17th). Finally there is The Begging Song in Cermignano. On the evening of 16th, the bonfires of the “Farchie” are lit in Fara Filiorum Petri. The celebration of the Steamboat of Ortona and the feast of the “Panette” in San Sebastiano di Bisegna are dedicated to St Sebastian. On 23rd, in San Martino sulla Marrucina, St Joseph’s Wedding is enacted.

February In Taranta Peligna on the third of the month, there is a festival of the “Panicelle” of San Biagio. On 4th and 5th in Castelvecchio Subequo, a procession leads to the source of S. Agata. Corropoli hosts the feast of Sant Scholastica (10th).

March On 18th and 19th in Monteferrante, the Tables of SZt Joseph is celebrated. This rite is also common in neighbouring Molise.

Easter. Numerous and spectacular events are celebrated all over Abruzzo on Good Friday: the representations of the Suffering of Christ in Gessopalena; the Desolate Woman in Teramo; the Evocation of Mourning in Lanciano; the Procession of the Trinitarians in Sulmona; and the procession of the Dead Christ in Chieti. In Vasto, on the Friday prior to Good Friday, there is the procession of the Holy Thorn. On Easter morning, there are the celebrations of the Good Day in Pianella, The Light is born in the East in Villa Badessa and Mary escaping in Sulmona. On Easter Money, a procession through the fields takes place near San Tommaso. The following day Orsogna hosts the scenes of the “Talami”.

April The festival of the Loads in San Salvo (20th) and the festival of the Spendour of Mary in Giulianona (22nd) are the only non-Easter related events.

May This spring month hosts some of Abruzzo’s most interesting festivals. On 1st the Kalends in Tornimparte, the “Majo” in San Giovanni Lipioni and the May Tree in Sant’Omero takes place. The procession of “Serpari” (snake-hunters) is held on the first Thursday of the jmonth in Cocullo. In Pretoro on the first Sunday 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 Pietranico, Mary of Libera in Pratola Peligna and Forgiveness in Ortona. On the first, third and fourth Sundays of the month in Atessa the “Ndorce” procession takies place. On the second Sunday in May is the Pilgrimage to Madonna delle Grazie in Vacri. On 8th there is the Pilgrimage to the cave of S. Michele in Balsorano and Liscia, and the procession of Young Virgins in Rapino. Completing the list of festivals are the feast of Santa Gemma in Goriano Sicoli (11th and 12th) and of San Venanzio in Raiano (18th) the “Sagra dei banderesi” in Bucchianico (24th to 27th) and the Festival of Narcissuses in Rocca di Mezzo (last Sunday of the month).

Pentecosts. On the Sunday, the portrayal of the Lords of the Holy Ghost is held in Luco dei Marsi. In Loreto Aprutino on the Monday after Pentecost, the Procession of San Zopito passes through the village. The following Sunday, there is the feast of the Holy Trinity in Vallepietra (in the region of Lazio) which involves the faithful from Cappadocia.

June The Miracle of San Domenico is commemorated on the first Sunday of the month in Palombaro. On 10th and 11th in Casalbordino, Madonna of Miracles is celebrated. Then, there is the Pilgrimage to the hermitage of S. Onofrio (12th) which starts from Serromonasca and climbs upwards. Other important feasts include: St Anthony of the lily in Scanno (13th) St John the Baptist in Civitella Roveto; the Companions of John the Baptist in Bisegna (24th) and “Lu Cencialone” in Silvi (28th).

July The calendar of the festivities also includes the celebrations for the Miracle of Santa Margherita in Villamagna (12th) the Triumph of Peach in Teramo (26th) and San Pantaleone in Miglianico (27th). The feast of St Andrew Fisherman in Pescara and the Jousting in Sulmona both happens on the last Sunday of the month.

August The first Sunday of the month, in Tollo, sees the portrayal of Mary of the Turks. On 15th is a day full of celebrations: the feast of the Bolt in Scanno, the Fair of the Assumption in Castel Casta-gna and the Palio of the Dolls in Cappelle sul Tavo. Later in the month, there are other festivals: the feast of San Rocco in Castelvecchio Subequo (16th), the feast of St Anthony’s lily in Giuliano Teatino (19th) and the Pilgrimage from Fornelli to Villalago (19th – 21st). On 25th Roccamorice hosts San Bartolomeo’s procession. On the last Sunday of August, there are the feasts of “Mastrogiurato” in Lanciano, the Straight Furrow in Focca di Mezzo and San Donato in Castel di Ieri. Celestine’s Forgiveness in L’Aquila (29th) and the Fair of Sant’Egidio in Lanciano (31st) bring the month to a close.

September On the first of the month, Isola del Gran Sasso d’Italia is the starting point for the Procession to the hermitage of St Colomba. The Race of the Gypsies in Pacentro and the Feast of Gifts in Serramonacesca are held on the first Sunday of the month. 8th sees the Gift of Mary of Ponte di Lanciano and the Greek orthodox celebration of Maria Odigitria in Villa Badessa. On the closest Sunday to the 8th, in Civitaretenga, the “Squadro” takes place. This is followed by the Feast of Madonna del Monte in Castiglione Messer Marino (11th) and the folk dance “dell’Insegna” in Forcella (23rd). On 26th and 27th in Altino, Lentella and Roccascalegna, there are the feasts of Santa Cosma and San Damiano.

November In Scanno on 10th the eve of St Martin, the celebration of the Glory takes place.

December In Pollutri, the Festival of the Broad beans of San Nicola takes place (6th). On 8th in Altri, the so called bonfires of the “Faugni” are lit. In Torino di Sangro, on 10th December, there are the morning celebrations of “Viso Adorno”. The “Squilla” tradition is kept up in Lanciano (23rd) and on the following day, in Nereto, the Christmas Fire is lit and kept burning until the Epiphany.

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