5 most celebrated Italian traditions

5 most celebrated Italian traditions

Italian traditions are many and have ancient origins. Many Italian traditions are special, and each region has its own. Saints, patronal feasts, national holidays, and many more to choose from. Italy with its 20 regions is full of traditions. You will find many traditions to discover and admire during the celebrations. Italian traditions are always handed down from generation to generation. Whether is for a Saint, a historical event or a celebration, traditions are part of the Italian life. If you are planning a trip to Italy then keep an eye on the calendar. In this way, you will not miss the opportunity to find out what the traditions are, and everything related to them. Now we will see together which are the five most celebrated of the Italian tradition.

The Italian Carnival

Carnival by Morana T- Pexels

The Italian Carnival is one of the most celebrated traditions in the whole country. The term “carnival” from the Latin “carnem levare” means “deprive of meat“. It refers to the privation of meat held on the last day before the period of Lent and thus to the “Shrove Tuesday” which precedes “Ash Wednesday”. But what happens on “Shrove Tuesday” in Italy? On this day in Italy is the occasion to taste the typical carnival sweets known in each region. We have chiacchiere, frappe, bugie or castagnole and today you can find them everywhere even in pastry shops.

The first proofs of the Carnival celebrations in Italy date back to the 13th century in the city of Florence and then in Rome. Nowadays the celebrations take place in public parades and private parties where children and teenagers dress up. You must know that there are masks of the Italian tradition. Gianduja, Arlecchino, Colombina, Pantalone, Pierrot, Pulcinella, Rugantino and many more. The masks come from every region of Italy and have many peculiarities. Let me describe you some:

Harlequin: It has Lombard origins and is famous for its colourful costume. The story tells that Arlecchino was poor and that his mother sewed his dress with coloured fabrics.

Gianduja: Comes from the city of Asti in 1798. His costume is in brown cloth with a red border, a yellow waistcoat, and red stockings. He wears a white wig and a hat.

Colombina: It is a mask of Venetian origin. She usually wears a white floral dress and red stockings and a cap.

Pantalone: ​​it is a Venetian mask. It represents a very bizarre light-hearted elderly gentleman. He usually wears shirt and red tights and a black cloak.

I recommend that you visit Venice during the Carnival period as soon as possible. You will find masquerade parties along the city streets and wonderful parades to participate in. And I also recommend bringing a dress with you!

The Italian mid-August

Summer by Larisa – Pexels

Ferragosto is an Italian holiday that has very ancient Roman origins. The term Ferragosto from the Latin “Feriae Augusti” (aka the rest of Augustus) indicates a festival established by the emperor Augustus in about 18 BC.

The Italian mid-August is celebrated on August 15 each year. It is a holiday dedicated to trips outside the city. In this case, the Italians love to bring with them a hearty packed lunch or eat in restaurants (only if open).In Rome, for example, the traditional dish of the mid-August lunch consists of: stewed chicken with peppers, often preceded by fettuccine with liver and followed by cold watermelon.

Celebrations 

Ferragosto is celebrated differently in each Italian region. For example, in Turin, many citizens have packed lunch near the banks of the Po next to the church of the Madonna del Pilone. This celebration was known as “Festa de le pignate a la Madòna dël Pilon“, or “Feast of pots at the Madonna del Pilone“. While for example in Messina there is the procession of the Vara di Messina dedicated to the Madonna Assunta. In Terracina, for example, on August 14, the “midnight swim” takes place with firework displays that illuminate the entire coast. The annual edition of the “Sagra do’Sciusciello” takes place in Salerno from 10 to 16 August, an ancient traditional bread baked in a wood oven.

Easter in Italy

Easter by Larisa Koshkina – Pexels

Italian Easter is very much felt throughout the country. The traditions of Italian Easter are many and very curious. On this day there are festivals, religious rites, concerts and processions and many other events. The exact date of Easter changes every year as it coincides with the Sunday following the spring full moon. Easter celebrations begin on the previous Sunday to commemorate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Friday is the day of the Via Crucis and scenes from its history are reproduced in the street. Lent ends on Sunday and Easter eggs are distributed to the children. The egg is a symbol of rebirth and hopes for fertility. On “Lunedi dell’Angelo” Italian families, friends gather for outdoor picnics and big binge eating.

Epiphany

Magi by Stux – Pexels

Epiphany (aka revelation) is an Italian holiday much loved by young and old. During the 6th of January, the adoration of Jesus is celebrated with the Magi bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the son of God. And why do children love the Befana? The term Befana derives from the word Epiphany. The figure of the Befana belongs to an Italian popular figure who is little known in the rest of the world. The Befana has its roots in pagan rites linked to the winter solstice and the new year’s harvest. According to a legend, the Befana is linked to the Magi. When the Magi were going to Bethlehem they asked information to an older woman they met along the way. She refused to follow them, but then she regretted. For this reason, she wanders every year delivering sweets or charcoal to each child.

Labor Day

Concert by The Free Photos – Pexels

 Every year on May 1st, Labor Day is celebrated, to remember the struggle of Italian workers for the reduction of the working day and a better wage.  The people of Livorno turned against the police headquarters of the same city as soon as the news of the assassination of the anarchists of Chicago in 1888 spread. Only after decades of battles and struggles, the eight working hours, were declared legal only with the Royal Decree-Law n. 692 of 1923 under the government of Mussolini.  The event is usually celebrated with a concert usually held in large cities, since 1990.