Ferragosto in Messina and Video of the Procession
Tuesday, August 14th, 2007
Ferragosto is an Italian holiday celebrated on August 15, traditionally believed by Roman Catholics to be the day when the Blessed Virgin Mary was bodily assumed in to heaven. However, this holiday was celebrated in the Roman Empire to honor the gods -specifically Diana- and the cycle of fertility and maturity. In fact, the present name of the holiday is taken from its original title of Feriae Augusti (from Wikipedia). Today, Ferragosto is a big national day in Italy: everything is closed and you barely find a doctor in case of emergency!
Il Gigante e la Gigantessa Are on View from August 10
Messina in the Eastern side of Sicily celebrates Ferragosto mixing sacred and profane traditions. Prior to August 15, the colossal statues of a couple of giants on horseback - a Moor called Grifone and a inhabitant of the village of Camaro (above Messina) called Mata, founders of the city according to the myth (in the photo) - are taken around the city.
The Religious Feast and Procession on August 15
Every August 15, Messina celebrates the Assumpion of the Virgin Mary with a traditional procession that sees the vara of the Madonna dragged with ropes by local people (view video of the 2006 procession below). The term vara, meaning literally coffin, derives from the small glass casket holding the figure of the mortal body of the Virgin, at the base of the machine. The procession goes extremely slowly due also to the particular cone-shaped statue representing the image of Crist supporting his mother in the palm of his hand and raising her to heaven. On the background of the statue is the structure of the universe: from the world up to heaven, with the angelic hierarchies in between. The procession is by no doubt one of the most suggestive traditional festivities in Sicily. If you are around, do not miss it!
Video of the 2006 Procession
More about Messina
How to get there
Where to eat
More about Ferragosto in Messina
Technorati Tags [ sicily | messina | ferragosto in sicily | august 15 | ferragosto in messina | grifone | mata | gigante | gigantessa ]
