8880 Buona Pasqua!

Easter (Pasqua) is just around the corner and many of us will spend this time of the year in Italy. As it is the case with Christmas, Easter has a profound religious significance in Italy. Many traditions and ceremonies take place and practically every region has something special of its own. You will not be disappointed.
I found this link which is interesting

[url=http://www.deborahmillemaci.com/BuonaPasqua.html]Buona Pasqua! - Easter in Italy:[/url]

but perhaps you could tell us more about your own experiences in your area.

Buona Pasqua a tutti!

Category
Culture & Entertainment

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/25/2008 - 05:40

In Sulmona, Abruzzo, on Good Friday there is a long procession which starts in the centro storico of the Madonna and Christ accompanied by funeral and other sombre music. It then winds itself through the narrow streets and you can follow it. I did. Catherine wheels are placed on walls and they cascade gently down, presumably to represent tears. It’s very emotionally charged.

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[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY6TnTVC2EM&feature=related]YouTube - Processione Venerdì Santo a Sulmona[/ame]

Two days later on Easter Sunday in Piazza Maggiore La Madonna Che Scappa takes place. That’s also very moving

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/25/2008 - 06:01

I've been in Florence for Easter a couple of times. On Easter Sunday, they have "Lo Scoppio del Carro", the "explosion of the cart". Huge white oxen pull the enormous and ornate cart into the Piazza del Duomo, opposite the main door.

Inside the church, the officiating Bishop strikes a spark from chips of rock from the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem (brought back by a crusader) and lights a candle. From this he lights a firework fuse attached to a mechanical dove. Then (and this is the good bit) the dove comes screaming out of the church like a Kamikaze bomber, with a stream of sparks issuing from its rear.

It strikes the cart and ignites the fireworks attached to it. Since it's daylight, the firework display is designed to generate a lot of noise and smoke more than lighting effects, but it's very effective, and very, very loud. The explosions go on for about ten minutes.
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As is usual with this sort of thing in Italy, there are parades round the town in mock-renaissance costume, and flag-juggling, and rom-pom-pom drumming. I love it all.

(If you're intending to go to this event, you'll need to be there by around 10:30 to get a good view. The actual explosion is at midday, but there are things to watch as the various ceremonial groups arrive. You can't get inside the Duomo unless you're a genuine parishioner or VIP, but it's more fun outside in the piazza anyway.)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/09/2008 - 03:56

Janet, I have not been in Calabria during Easter and Holy Week festivities; however, in view of the strong traditions of the region I am certain that there will be plenty to see and do. You have some information here:

[url=http://www.discoveritaly.net/content/region.asp?REGION_ID=5&L=2]DiscoverItaly.net - Calabria - DiscoverItaly.net[/url]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 17:42

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Le3uZ1UqI4&feature=related]YouTube - Pasqua 2007 - La Madonna che scappa in piazza a Sulmona[/ame]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 18:08

It is a beautiful and moving tradition. Thank you again for sharing it with us, Sally. There is a similar one held in Marbella (Spain) in which the images of Jesus, carrying the cross and Mary meet; however, that one, which is held on Good Friday is very sad to look at. It is great to see that these traditions are kept alive as they are the ones which give Easter its true meaning.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 20:37

Ah but what is the true meaning of Easter? I believe the church took over older traditions, which marked the rebirth of the land, a celebration of the arrival of spring and having survived the winter... and those old traditions refuse to die. What, for example, have eggs and rabbits to do with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ?

For all the sombre religious ceremonies, Easter eggs still leap off the shelves.

Happy Easter everyone, hope the Easter bunny brings you all a chocolate egg.:wink:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/23/2008 - 04:52

Yes, Nielo, you are right, Easter eggs and rabbits are really what remains from old fertility rites which were held at this time of the year in ancient and remote cultures such as Babylon, the Druids, Rome who used to adopt all kind of beliefs and traditions, Northern Europe, China and Japan.
The Christian church replaced those festivals with the commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus. It also did the same at Christmas time. Even the date for Easter each year changes, as it is celebrated the first Sunday after the first full moon in Spring.... (a fairly "pagan" way of finding a date).
But I think that they (the Church) were right in doing it so this way. "If you can't beat them, better join them!" It's a more intelligent way to do things rather than banning celebrations alltogether.
In Italy, the number of eggs used for a [B][I]Torta Pasqualina [/I][/B]is usually 12, one for each apostle. So they have tried to incorporate some religious link to the pagan traditions.
Anyway, it is a beautiful time of the year for most of us. Enjoy the chocolate!
[B][I][FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"]Pax vobiscum!
Auguri di Buona Pasqua a tutti![/FONT][/I][/B]