Ferragosto is the most fun Italian holiday. Ferragosto, in our opinion, the Assumption Where Italians prefer to spend Ferragosto
Gaining momentum. Even those who did not go on a trip this year will devote August 15 to rest and doing nothing. And all because today is a holiday in Italy - the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, or Ferragosto ( Ferragosto).
Ferragosto is a strange thing. On the one hand, this is a pagan holiday at the completion of harvest work, on the other, it is a veneration of the Madonna. Where it came from and how Ferragosto is celebrated now, I will tell you in this article.
PAGANISM
The name "ferragosto" consists of two Italian words: ferie(vacation, rest) and agosto(month and name of the emperor - Augusto). Put together, they form the “August holiday” and, in fact, the Ferragosto holiday. It originated during the dawn of the Roman Empire, just during the reign of Emperor Augustus.
The previous festivals dedicated to the god of grain crops, Kons, which took place in September, were then moved to August 1. Throughout the month, the people of Rome enjoyed a well-deserved rest after hard work in the fields. During this period, horse races, mule parades, feasts and even... sexual games were held
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Changing the foundations of Italians is oh so difficult. Therefore, with the spread of the Christian religion, the Catholic Church decided not to deprive its parishioners of the holiday. So Ferragosto was moved to August 15, when Christians celebrated the Ascension of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assunzione della Santissima Vergine).
That is why religious processions take place in many cities on this day, and horse racing is dedicated not to pagan gods, but to the Mother of God
FERRAGOSTO TODAY
Now the residents of the “sunny boot” no longer wonder where this holiday came from. On this day, they simply enjoy life: they go to the beach or have a picnic in the nearest park, and in the evening they all admire the fireworks that color the sky. Turin's Parco Valentino will today host many who like to dine on the grass, and the Ligurian coast will look like a fabric made from hundreds of patches - bright beach towels and striped umbrellas. If you decide to spend your holidays in Italy in August, I advise you to choose cities closer to the sea, since the rest this period can be like ghost towns.
Italy
Ferragosto Festival: vivid photos and videos, detailed description and reviews of the Ferragosto Festival event in 2020.
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Ferragosto is a traditional Italian holiday celebrated annually on August 15th. In the summer days preceding it, cities across the country seem to be dying out - people are lured away by beaches and secluded villas. It is on Ferragosto that Italians prefer to take vacations. Rome, Milan, Turin are at the mercy of tourists confused by the silence and closed cafes and shops.
The holiday takes its name from the phrase Feriae Augusti, which is translated from Latin into Russian as “August’s holiday.” The fact is that the Roman emperor Octavian Augustus, to whom Ferragosto is, in fact, dedicated, moved the September celebration of the consulars to the month named after him.
history of the holiday
In ancient Roman times, the main companions of Ferragosto were magnificent banquets with collective feasts and tables literally bursting with food and wine. Horse races and races were organized throughout the country. The festivities culminated on August 15, on which day slaves and servants were awarded a bonus and several days of rest. Draft animals were also exempt from work: bulls, oxen, donkeys and mules.
The tradition of venerating Octavian Augustus was so rooted among ordinary people that even with the advent of Christianity, the church decided not to cut to the quick and adapted the pagan holiday to the new faith. So in the 6th century Feriae Augusti was transformed into the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
As noted by Ferragosto
The Italians, who by this time had not decided to take a weekend, leave their city apartments on Ferragosto and go on excursions and picnics, go to the mountains, and go to the sea. They often have a barbecue in the backyard and invite family and friends.
To get to know Ferragosto and not go broke, it is better to either take care of booking accommodation in advance, or wait until the last minute: a few days before the holiday, travel agencies and hotels offer lucrative hot offers.
Performances are given in the central squares of Italian cities and villages. At sea, they are held right on the beach: the most popular entertainment for local youth is pouring cold water on friends and strangers.
Every year, at the end of the summer season, Italy seems to be dying out: not a soul on the streets, retail outlets are closed, the work of organizations and industrial enterprises ceases. All this is a period of mass recreation, the height of which falls on August 15th. This day is celebrated as a national holiday Ferragosto in Italy .
The name itself Ferragosto originates from Latin words "Feriae" And "Augusti", the translation of which literally sounds like "Rest" And "August". Previously, the holiday was dedicated to the famous Octavian Augustus. It was customary to celebrate it in September upon completion of land work, as a sign of worship of Kons, the deity of grain crops.
Where do Italians prefer to spend Ferragosto?
In cities for a while Ferragosto in Italy It really feels like life is standing still. For Italians, traditions play a huge role, especially those related to recreation. But where does the atmosphere of busy streets go?
It doesn't matter what plans the locals have for the next two weeks. Every Italian cannot imagine August 15th without going out into nature. Each family spends this day differently. Some people visit a swimming pool or water park, others go on excursions, others arrange a holiday with tents or go on picnics.
Exciting activities
To have a proper idea of the holiday Ferragosto on the Apennine Peninsula, it is worth familiarizing yourself with local customs. The most rooted of them are processions of a religious nature on this day.
In Palermo, the solemn moment consists of a procession carrying a statue of the Madonna. In Tivoli, her place belongs to the Holy Virgin and Jesus.
In Rome, for a month, local residents prepared Piazza Navona for the celebration, regularly filling it with water. By August 15, everyone can admire the huge pool, swim and have fun.
How tourists can have fun during the dayFerragosto
On the eve of the celebration Ferragosto in Italy You can find quite profitable vacation options from hotels, travel agencies, and “low cost” air carriers.
Almost every city organizes musical performances at this time, and the beaches become a place of general fun. Locals do not miss the opportunity to make fun of tourists, everyone laughs and douses themselves with water.
August 15 is the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. In Italy the holiday is called Ferragosto. In southern Europe, this holiday also has secular significance. Back in Ancient Rome, a tradition arose to complete the harvest on this day and to celebrate this well. August 15 is always a day off, and for many it is the start of their vacation, which often has the nature of a national or regional vacation. When planning a trip to Italy in August, check whether the shops or businesses you need are open at this time in the region of your stay.
The word "Ferragosto" translated as "rest of Augustus". The holiday was established in honor of the Roman Emperor Octavian Augustus, moving to this date the holiday of the end of summer field work, which previously was in September. It happened scary to say how long ago - in 18 BC. e. The celebration was magnificent, satisfying, and drunk. The peak occurred on August 15th.
Ferragosto was so rooted that the church, fighting paganism, adapted it to Christian traditions. In the 6th century, it turned into the holiday of the Dormition and Ascension of the Virgin Mary into heaven.
Here is such a roll call of centuries - pre-Christian times, a new era begun by the appearance of Jesus, our days.
On this day, cities empty, people try to go on vacation to the sea or to the mountains. The rest go to a restaurant, pizzeria, or visit. The ubiquitous tourists are, of course, there, there are many of them, as always. It’s even interesting to get to Italy during the holidays!
These days there is a varied program - concerts, performances, outdoor performances. There are fireworks in all cities. The holiday has many traditions that are not forgotten today.
For example, in Porto Santo Stefano (Tuscany) an ancient rowing boat competition is held - the maritime Palio del Argentario. It resembles a carnival with its brightness and fun. Local residents dispute the title of the best rowers.
Ferragosto has its own traditional dishes and culinary traditions. In Sicily it would be a shame not to try eggplant caponata salad, in Calabria - pork frittole and many other dishes. In Umbria - spaghetti with goose sauce, on the island of Giglio - Ischitan rabbit, snails from Belluno. All in all, a paradise for foodies. Each small town tries to stand out and offer its own unique dish.
In Tuscany, anise pretzels have long been baked on Ferragosto. They are delicious and beautifully packaged.
Preparations are underway for this year's holiday. Museums, galleries, villas, temples, parks and so on will open throughout the country.
In Milan It is planned to hold a pyrotechnic festival accompanied by live classical music. City museums will be free on this day.
In Venice There will be a concert by Japanese pianist Seki Takahiro.
In Padua a film festival will take place.
In Udine You will receive a gift with your ticket to the museum - an ice cream cone.
In Bologna The famous gastronomic festivals (sagra) will take place.
In Genoa Traditional water throwing games will be played on the beach.
In Rome Museums, parks, swimming pools will also be open, and in the evening clubs and discos will be open. There is a holiday dedicated to Maria the Snow. Once upon a time, a noble couple prayed for a long time for children. The Most Holy Theotokos appeared to them and said that the Lord would send them a son. For this they must build a temple in the name of the Mother of God on the Equiline hill. In the morning there will be a sign at the site of the future temple - snow. And this was in August. It started snowing. There are other legends, but snow is everywhere in summer. In honor of this, an artificial snowfall is organized in Ferragosto on Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore.
The Belly Festival will be held not only in Bologna, but also in Florence. There will also be sagra. These festivals are dedicated to sweets, wild boar, porcini mushrooms, grilled meat and so on. Sagra is a wonderful tradition. In Tuscany, and in Italy in general, some kind of sagra often happens.
A thousand years ago, during the Carolingian era, the tradition of eating fried pigeons on Ferragosto was born in Tuscany. It has survived to this day.
This year, a competition for the best sand castle will be held in Ferragosto, Florence.
On this joyful holiday, people do not forget that this is the day of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin. Her Assumption was not sad. After the ascension of Christ, She lived for another 12 years in the house of John the Theologian in Jerusalem, firmly knowing that a meeting with the Son awaited Her. The Mother of God loved to visit places where the Savior visited and prayed there.
One day, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Her on the Mount of Olives. He brought Her a branch from paradise and a message that Her earthly life would end in 3 days.
The apostles at this time preached in different countries, but almost all miraculously appeared in Jerusalem and said goodbye to the Virgin Mary. At the hour of Her death, light illuminated the room. It was Jesus Christ himself who appeared with the angels and saints and accepted Her immortal soul.
In many cities in Italy there are religious processions dedicated to this event. In Palermo, the statue of the Madonna is carried by young men, the procession goes through the entire city. In Sassari, large candlesticks are carried through the city. A meeting of the statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary is held in Tivoli. In Siena (Tuscany) on August 16, the day after the holiday, a horse race called the Palio is held. They are dedicated to the Ascension of the Virgin Mary.
Holidays in Italy in 2018 and 2019… where to begin?! Let's start with the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary or Ferragosto. The Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, locally known as Ferragosto or Ascension, is celebrated annually on August 15th. Ferragosto is one of the most revered holidays in Italy.
Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary or Ferragosto in 2018 and 2019
August 15, 2018
- Wednesday 15 August – Ferragosto.
August 15th is the most revered holiday in Italy in August, which is also a public holiday in Italy.
August 15, 2019
This holiday is very important not only in Italy, but also in all countries where Catholicism is the basis of the Christian religion. However, it was in Italy that this holiday acquired special significance, thanks to the many unique qualities unique to this country.
History, customs and meaning of the Ferragosto holiday
Story
The holiday itself, like many others, comes from the religious traditions of pagan beliefs. Initially, this day was celebrated as the birthday of the goddess of the sea, Isis. However, over time, this holiday became part of Christian traditions, and since then it has been one of the most sacred holidays of the Catholic Church.
Meaning
The meaning of the Feast of the Ascension is to honor the day when the Most Holy Mary, the Mother of God, left her body in the earth to ascend to Heaven. According to legend, Mary was different from all other mortal women, and for this reason she was not supposed to die in the literal sense, but was supposed to go to heaven calmly and painlessly. This is what the Roman Catholic Church has been saying since the days of the Roman Empire.
Customs
As explained above, the holiday is very popular in all countries where the Catholic faith is a central element of the culture. However, there are many customs that can be seen on this day that are unique to Italy. For example, many cities in Italy organize special holidays in which there are many regional dishes available at discounted prices.
In conclusion - holiday in Italy today!
Italians are very fond of holidays, and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is, of course, an excellent reason to celebrate. On this day, many fireworks are launched, and the general atmosphere of the holiday is filled with joy. This is one of the largest and most fun holidays included in the Italian social calendar.
Today Ferragosto is an Italian holiday!
To learn more about the Ferragosto festival or what holidays in Italy in 2018 there is more, contact us and study the articles on our site. If you are planning your trip to Italy in August, then the following articles will be useful to you: “ , “
