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Many Italian holidays are very similar to those celebrated in Europe and around the world. The best examples in this case are New Year and Christmas. However, there are a number of other celebrations, such as Halloween, that were particularly modified by the Italians. The land of wine and sun also features a number of other holidays that are typical exclusively for Italy. Here are the ten most celebrated and most loved holidays by Italians.
Carnival, also known as Mardi Grass, is practiced in other countries from different parts of the world. In Italy, it takes place 40 days before the bright holiday of Easter. In a country where energetic and cheerful people live, the carnival takes place in the same spirit: a sea of colors, emotions and impressions descend on Italy every spring. The most famous, of course, is in.
Immaculate Conception (Immacolata Concezione)
The celebration of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary takes place in Italy on December 8 and is considered one of the most significant holidays. A huge number of believers attend festive masses on this day.
Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica)
Every year on June 2, Italians celebrate the next anniversary when Italy became a republic, abolishing the laws of the monarchy. By the way, this happened in 1946. Considering the fact that he repeatedly supported the fascist dictator (Benito Mussolini) during the Second World War, he began to have a negative attitude towards the monarchy. And it is not surprising, in addition to this, the representatives of the “blue blood” of Italy have other “merits”.
Epifania
This holiday is celebrated every year on January 6th, marking the end of the Christmas holidays. On this day, a fabulous atmosphere reigns on the Italian streets, and children are waiting at home for gifts from the good witch Befana, who comes to houses with gifts, just as the Magi once came to the newborn Jesus.
Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione)
The day of the liberation of Italy from fascism is celebrated every year on April 25. On this day, all Italians honor the memory of the victims of the regime and the bloody Second World War.
Labor Day (Festa dei Lavoratori)
Although many countries celebrate Labor Day on May 1, for Italians this holiday means much more than honoring the work of workers. On this day, numerous liberal political parties protest on many issues. And while Labor Day usually ends without major incident, it is still a politically charged holiday.
Ferragosto
Apart from New Year, Easter and Christmas, this is perhaps the most important and most celebrated holiday in Italy. Every year on August 15, Italians celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the day the Virgin Mary ascended into heaven. During the celebrations of Ferragosto, the whole of Italy literally freezes, and no one misses the opportunity to enjoy the amazing atmosphere in the air.
Easter (Pasqua)
The Italian version of Easter has a number of traditions and rituals. It is worth noting that the Monday following Easter is a national holiday for Italians. On the eve of this holiday, Italians carefully prepare for it, attending numerous masses and services.
New Year (Il Capodanno)
Today in Italy big celebration. Offices, schools and many shops are closed, the most delicious dishes are served, and the Blessed Virgin Mary is sung in churches. And in this bustle, I thought: what other national holidays of Italy exist that we, Russians, cannot dream of or think about? For example, on May 1, Italians, like us, take a break from work, on April 1 they make fun of each other, and on January 1 they celebrate the new year. What happens on other days? My article today is dedicated to Italian celebrations that do not exist in Russia.
Italian culture and the country's traditions are closely related to the Catholic religion. Therefore, many of the holidays that you will read about below are religious. Let's start, perhaps, with a holiday that is celebrated in Italy today - Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary(Immacolata Concezione). It kicks off a string of Christmas preparations and festivities. According to the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God, she was born by ordinary parents, but from infancy she was freed from original sin. By the way, Orthodox Church This dogma does not approve, so we don’t have such a holiday.
On this day, December 8, solemn masses are held, and residents begin to truly prepare for Christmas: they decorate the Christmas tree and decorate the house with decorations.
Actually, Christmas (Natale). It occupies an honorable first place in the list of Italian holidays. Unlike our children, children from Sardinia, Milan and Venice write letters not to Santa Claus, but to Babbo Natale, and receive gifts a little earlier than the New Year - on Christmas Day, December 25th. In the evening the whole family gathers around the table, and at night religious Italians go to churches to listen to mass. You won't see a soul on the street at this time.
The day after Christmas, December 26, is called Happy St. Stephen's Day(Santo Stefano) and his cunning Italians came up with an idea to prolong the pleasure of the holiday by getting a good night's sleep or visiting some other relatives.
Closes the series of Christmas holidays Epiphany(Epifania), celebrated on January 6. In religion, this is the day when the Magi first saw the newborn Jesus Christ and presented him with numerous gifts. That is, Epiphany. And for modern children, this is another Italian holiday when you can receive gifts. At night, the kids take out socks and stockings from the closet, and the good witch Befana (somewhat reminiscent of our Baba Yaga) puts sweets there.
The most colorful and pompous holiday can be called Carnival (Carnevale), when adults and children dress up in costumes, throw colorful confetti at passers-by and are greeted with applause by huge cars (often in the form of famous characters or animals), which participants in the carnival procession make with their own hands - f antaveicoli (fairy-tale vehicles). Carnival in Italy is celebrated for a whole month - from the end of January to March. It takes place on a special scale in Venice, but other cities are trying to keep up.
When we are still preparing for the upcoming May holidays, Italians are already celebrating the victory over fascism. IN Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione), April 25, local residents honor the memory of all those who became victims of the most terrible and bloody war of the 20th century.
Celebration Easter in Italy is a little different from how it goes in Russia. It comes a little earlier than Orthodox Easter, and as a treat, instead of chicken eggs, there are chocolate eggs. But I wanted to tell you about another holiday that immediately follows Easter - "Pascuette" or Easter Monday(Pasquetta). On this day, it is customary for the whole family to go out into the countryside for a picnic. If, of course, the weather permits.
If you are interested in the history of Italy, then you probably know that the form of government in this country for a long time there was a monarchy. However, the events of the Second World War, when, while the king was still alive, actual power was transferred to the hands of the fascists led by Mussolini, changed the residents' view of the royal dynasties. On June 2, 1946, Italy finally became a republic, and this date was named Republic Day(Festa della Repubblica).
One of the most favorite holidays of Italians is Ferragosto (Ferragosto), which occurs on August 15th. And although its roots go back to Ancient Rome (then the end of the harvest was celebrated on this day), today few people remember what kind of holiday it is. And they love it because it marks the beginning of the holiday season. In August, Italy “falls into hibernation”: shops and cafes are closed, the roads with the most intense traffic are now empty, and city residents move closer to the sea.
I've already talked a little about All Saints Day(Ognissanti or Tutti i santi), which is celebrated on November 1st. I will only add that this is the most important holiday for the Catholic Church. On this day, Italians do not work, because... must attend mass. But, despite the significance of the holiday, the celebrations, rituals and traditions associated with it rarely go beyond the church. For non-religious people, this is just another day off.
The Italians say that every day is a holiday for them. If not throughout the country, then in some town the day of its local saint is definitely celebrated, on a grand scale, with a procession, with a carnival! On the pages of the Calendar, talking about the holidays of Italy, we will try to join the people who are related to the Russians in terms of celebrations and add more reasons for ourselves to relax. Let's try to celebrate Italian holidays, not only as we do, but also as the Italians do, and even better than the Italians themselves!
National holidays
Winter holidays in Italy
December 8 - Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
One of the main Mother of God holidays is the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, whose cult is very popular in Catholicism.
The version about the conception of Mary without sin by her mother Anna was not in the ancient church tradition. It was formalized by the dogma of Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1954. According to Catholic doctrine, the chosen one of the heavenly father was pure and holy from birth. Solemn services are held in churches on this day.
December 25 - Catholic Christmas
For many centuries, the Romans have followed the custom of mutual gift giving at Christmas and New Year, believing that receiving numerous gifts on these days will make them happier and richer.
By the way, gifts for children in Italy are brought not by Father Frost or even Santa Claus, but by Babbo Natale. What's interesting is that on January 6, the Epiphany holiday, Italian children have a chance to receive gifts again - from an unattractive old woman named Befana, who comes down the chimney on a broom.
December 26 - St. Stephen's Day
On this day, in the Italian city of Putignano, famous for its parade of papier-mâché dolls, Carnival begins, which is the longest and oldest carnival in the world. The carnival begins on December 26 and ends on the last day of Maslenitsa.
January 1 - New Year
This holiday is celebrated in different countries in different ways, but everywhere he is loved and expected. The year begins with a solemn festive procession with candles in the Catacombs of St. Priscilla - this is how the memory of the first persecuted Christian martyrs buried here is honored. The old tradition of throwing unnecessary things out of the window is almost never used anymore, but wearing red underwear this evening is a holy tradition , brings good luck! A traditional New Year's dish is pork leg with lentils (zampone e lenticchie) or lentils with pork sausage for boiling, the so-called cotechino (lenticchie e cotechino). It is believed that eating lentils in New Year's Eve- to wealth.
January 6 - Epifania
Epiphany, Epiphany (l "Epifania) - January 6, revival official holiday associated with Decree of the President of the Republic 12/28/1985 No. 792. A fabulous festival atmosphere reigns in Italian cities. The symbol of this holiday is the good witch Befana. The image of Befana is very ancient, it has existed since pre-Christian times, although the tradition itself is purely Christian: Befana brings gifts to children in memory of the gifts that the Magi brought to the baby Jesus.
According to legend, on this night the good witch descends on her broom into the house through the chimney and leaves gifts for the children in their stockings. For the obedient and good ones - candies, candles, sweets, and for the naughty ones - black coals. These coals are made from colored sugar. They are sweet, but really look like coals. These “gifts” are sold in many stores.
In Rome, on January 6, a one-day Epiphany fair is held, where sweets and souvenirs are sold, a holiday camp is set up in the city center, and in Venice, a costumed boat procession is organized along the city canals.
January 17 - St. Antonio's Day
Saint Anthony became famous for being one of the first to try the ascetic life in the desert, being completely cut off from civilization. Therefore, he is rightfully considered the founder of monasticism, a new spiritual movement of that time.
January 21 - St. Inessa Day
In Italy, they celebrate a holiday associated with animals - St. Inessa's Day. In the church of Sant'Agnese fuori le Mura (St. Inesse outside the city walls, Sant "Agnese fuori le Mura), two sheep are blessed and sheared, and a cloak made from their wool is presented to the Pope himself.
February 2 - Presentation of the Lord
Candlemas (La Candelora) is a holiday that reminds us of the rite of purification that the Virgin Mary underwent after she gave birth to the baby Jesus according to the law of Moses. Indeed, it was believed that every mother who gave birth to a male child was considered "unclean" for 7 days, and for a further 33 days she could not participate in any form or type of cult.
Today this holiday signifies the end of winter. The Italians even have a proverb “Candelora dell"inverno semo fora", meaning that with the advent of Candlemas winter ends, but it has a continuation "Ma se piove e tira vento, dell"inverno semo drento", that is, if on this holiday If the weather is bad, then winter will last at least another month.
Candlemas is also associated with agricultural celebrations of the beginning of spring, so there is a tradition (not very common in Italy, but common in other European countries, for example in France) to prepare special dishes and offer them to fairies or nature in general.
February is the month of carnivals,
Spring holidays in Italy
March 8 - International Women's Day
International Women's Day (giorno delle Donne) - March 8, unlike Russia, is not a public holiday and is not very popular among Italian women. Their motives are clear: “Why is it that one day a year we are loved, given attention, considered special and wonderful? Why doesn’t this happen all year?”
March 19 - Feast of Saint Giuseppe (Father's Day)
The Feast of Saint Giuseppe (Festa di S.Giuseppe), protector of the poor and disadvantaged, girls and carpenters - a religious version of the more secular "Feast of the Father" (Festa del Papa), both take place on March 19th. On this day, the main ones are two feelings: hospitality and family love.
St. Giuseppe's Day is celebrated in different regions of Italy, where a special feast is always held. For example, in Sicily, on March 19 of each year, it is customary to invite the poor to a kind of banquet in honor of St. Giuseppe's Day. The priest blessed the dishes and the poor ate, and the owner of the house himself served them.
March 21 - Tree Day
It has long been celebrated in Italy as a holiday of renewal and unity of man with nature.
Every year in Italy, Tree Day brings together a large number of of people. All together, adults and children demonstrate their readiness and right to live in a favorable environment. Volunteers from all over the country meet to green up their city's nooks and crannies, parks, squares and gardens, thus showing love and respect for nature.
April 1 - April Fool's Day (April Fool's Day)
"April Fool's fish" (pesce d'aprile), that's what they call this fish in Italy folk holiday, which exists in France (Poisson d'Avril), and in Germany (Aprilscherz), and in many English-speaking countries (April fool's day), even in India (Huli, March 31) and Mexico (El Dia de los Innocentes, very similar to April Fools' Day, but celebrated on December 28th). As in all other countries, the essence of the Italian “April Fool's fish” is practical jokes and jokes in relation to others.
Catholic Easter
Biggest spring holiday In Italy, the pinnacle of the Catholic liturgical year is Easter. Its date is flexible, changing from year to year, determined by the phase of the moon and the position of the sun.
In addition to traditional prayers, in Italy it is customary to stage theatrical performances about the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Christ. The participation of people in such performances provides an opportunity to personally become involved in great deeds and great loss for all humanity.
Easter is a very “delicious” holiday, usually the tables on this day are full of sumptuous dishes, magnificent smells waft through the houses and surroundings, but again, on Easter in different regions of Italy they prepare completely different dishes, for example, in Campania - a sweet dish , called Neapolitan flatbread, in Emilia Romagna - Green lasagna Bolognese style, in Friuli - a sweet dish with the interesting name “Easter claw in Triestine style”, and in Lazio Easter is not complete without such a second dishes like “Roast lamb with giblets.”
April 21 - Founding Day of Rome
Founding of Rome (Natale di Roma) - April 21, a civil holiday that is not a public holiday. According to legend, Rome was founded by Romulus on the 11th calendar of May (21 April) 753 BC.
A symbolic opening of the city gates is taking place so that tourists and people from all parts of the world can enter.
Since 2004, the “Goddess of Rome” competition has been held, in which contestants from 18 to 30 years old who live in Italy or countries that were once part of the Roman Empire can participate. Girls should try to embody the ideal of Roman female beauty and spiritual qualities.
The winner will receive as a prize the opportunity to march at the front of the Historical Cortege, which traditionally involves many Italians and foreigners dressed as Romans.
April 25 - Day of Liberation from Fascism
The day of liberation from fascism and German occupation is a national holiday in Italy.
On April 25, 1943, the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini fled Milan, and a new era began in the history of the country - a movement of armed resistance and the struggle for democracy. In 1945, a general strike and armed uprising began in German-occupied Northern Italy. Partisans and rebels liberated hundreds of cities in Northern and Central Italy in bloody battles even before the arrival of the Allied troops.
May 1 - Labor Day (Labor Day)
May Day celebrations begin on July 20, 1889 in Paris; Initially, workers wanted to advocate en masse for the introduction of an 8-hour working day and improved working conditions. The decision to take to the streets on May 1 was symbolic, because it was on May 1, 1886, 3 years earlier, that a workers’ demonstration took place in Chicago, which was brutally suppressed. What is happening now in Italy on May 1?
If Italians do not participate in parades, they sing serenades under the windows of their chosen ones. In addition, on the eve of May 1, a young man must place a green branch at the entrance to his beloved’s house. This is a symbolic form of a proposal to marry him. If the girl agrees, she takes the branch; if not, she throws it out onto the road.
May 13 - Mother's Day
On this day, all Italian children bring flowers, sweets, and small gifts to their mothers to once again express their love and gratitude to them.
This holiday has a huge history. Even the ancient Greeks and Romans honored the Goddess of Fertility during this period of the year. And indeed, when, if not at the beginning of May, does nature explode with flowers, aromas, and joy that spreads with the first warm spring breeze?
May 17 - Catholic Ascension of the Lord
As in all traditionally Catholic countries, the Ascension (l "Ascensione) is a big holiday in Italy.
Traditionally it was celebrated on the 39th day after Easter, on Thursday, but since 1977 in Italy it has been celebrated on the 42nd day after Easter (otherwise the 6th Sunday after Easter).
Summer holidays in Italy
June 2 - Day of the Proclamation of the Republic of Italy
Italians remember important events that occurred in 1946, because this day can be considered the birth of the Italian Republic.
Usually on this day military parades are held in major cities. In Rome, along the Avenue of the Imperial Forums from the Colosseum to the foot of the Capitol, festive columns consisting of representatives of all branches of the military pass. The latest Eurofighter fighters fly in the skies over the center of Rome, spraying the colors of the Italian national flag into the air.
July 25 - Saint Giacomo's Day
Saint Giacomo's Day (S. Giacomo) - July 25, is not a public holiday, as it has been cancelled. However, in some regions and cities they continue to celebrate the day of St. Giacomo, paying tribute to tradition.
August 11 - St. Lawrence Day
Saint Lawrence was one of the seven deacons of ancient Rome who were subjected to excruciating torture and religious persecution by order of the Roman Emperor Valerian in 258. During his reign, it was forbidden to organize meetings and gatherings of Christian believers, as well as to show disrespect for the rites and traditions of the pagans. Many priests and bishops were sentenced to death, while Christians associated with the nobility or parliament were stripped of their property and expelled.
August 15 - Ferragosto
Very interesting holiday Italians celebrate August 15 - the Dormition of the Virgin Mary or Ascension (Assunzione), which ends the season of big summer work. The rituals of this day merged elements of Christianity and paganism.
The second name of this holiday is Ferragosto. The origin of this name is as follows: the ancient Roman inhabitants solemnly celebrated the end of the harvest with the festival of consularia, dedicated to the ancient Italian god of earth and crops - Consus. In pre-imperial Rome, when the year began in March and consisted of 10 months (January and February were absent), consularia took place in the 6th month.
In modern Italy, young people celebrate August 15 by lighting a bonfire on the beach and having gatherings throughout the night. There are also fireworks.
For the time of Ferragosto, Italy seems to be completely dying out, leaving only tourists in the cities. Factories and production are closed, local residents, as a rule, take vacations and go to the sea or to the mountains.
August 24 - St. Bartholomew's Day
St. Bartholomew's Day (S. Bartolomeo) - August 24, is not a public holiday, it is celebrated on the Sunday closest to the date. Saint Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The story of his life contains many inaccuracies and is interspersed with numerous legendary events. His real name is Nathaniel, and he received the name Bartholomew as an adult. According to other sources, his name was Jesus and he was forced to take a different name, according to the unwritten law of Syria.
Autumn holidays in Italy
September 7 - Piedigrotta in Italy
As you know, Naples is considered the musical capital of Italy. And it is in this wonderful city that on the night of September 7-8, a festival-competition for the best lyrical song, known as Piedigrotta, takes place.
The origin and development of this holiday is quite interesting. Not far from Naples, in the Piedigrotta cave, in ancient times there was a temple of pagan origin, and religious cults were performed by dancing priestesses.
Later, this holiday was layered with another one, already of a Christian nature, in honor of the Madonna. On the site of the cave, the church of Santa Maria di Piedigrotta was built. The day of this Madonna began to be celebrated not only with processions, but also with the performance of folk songs.
October 4 - Saint Francis of Assisi Day
The Day of St. Francis of Assisi (S. Francesco d'Assisi) - October 4 - is not a public holiday.
This is a national holiday, on this day masses dedicated to the saint are held, on the streets of cities celebrating this holiday, traditional games are held, such as tug of war, sack races, the “tree of abundance” (albero della cuccagna) - a pole, a pillar with prizes on the top that need to be reached, etc.
On this day, tastings of products produced in different regions of Italy are usually held in the main square of the city. Every evening the restaurants offer original dishes. Evening performances entertain adults and children. There are also exhibitions of paintings and sculptures, concerts, and the holiday traditionally ends with a performance by a brass band, which is especially popular with older people.
October 12 - Christopher Columbus Day
November 1 - All Saints' Day
November 1 is considered a day of mourning and veneration of saints, deceased ancestors, relatives and friends. On this day, and especially November 2, Italians visit cemeteries with flowers.
The ancient Celts, although assimilated by the Germans and Romans, latched on to the locomotive of history with their tradition of wildly celebrating the New Year, which according to their calendar came on November 1st. Back in 835, Pope Gregory IV realized that he could not overcome the pagan tradition, and declared this day the Feast of All Saints.
The newly converted Christians agreed with the renaming, but did not change the ritual. On the night of October 31, they dressed up as evil spirits, made lanterns from pumpkins and caroled around the yards. An ancient tradition Misanthropes of all kinds exploited it with all their might: the ideologists of the Inquisition declared this very night to be the time of the Sabbath of Witches, and the Satanists designated it as their main holiday.
November 4 - Italian National Unity Day
This day is dedicated to those who died for their homeland. It is customary to lay wreaths at the monuments on the graves of soldiers.
Interestingly, introduced in 1922, this holiday was called the Anniversary of the Victory in the First World War (Anniversario della vittoria della Prima guerra mondiale), and was later renamed the Holiday Armed Forces(Festa delle Forze armate) and bore this name until 1977.
February 14 - Valentine's Day (Valentine's Day)
On this day, the church celebrates Valentine's Day and lovers exchange traditional gifts and heart-shaped souvenirs, with which ALL stores are filled on the eve of the holiday.
February is the month of carnivals,
which take place in almost every city. The most famous are in Venice and Viareggio.
For carnival balls, masks are made from papier-mâché, although a real Venetian mask is made from specially processed thin skin. You won't find these in street shops now. There are only a few craftsmen in Venice who make masks according to ancient recipes; they are considered a work of art and are very expensive.
The Venice Carnival of Masks is the most famous and oldest, the most original and unexpected: here the kingdom of masks and life itself resembles a theatrical stage among the canals. Dancing in the squares, luxuriously embroidered with gold and decorated precious stones carnival costumes. Under the cover of masks, passion is born and dies, and the characters of the Italian “commedia dell’arte” take to the streets and become the protagonists of the carnival. Like a bright ray of sunshine, the carnival bursts into the damp and foggy Venetian winter. And in an instant it is colored with the gold of costumes, the silver of lace, and the bright spots of masks. Only the Venetian carnival is characterized by mystery and magic, mysticism and witchcraft.
Carnival in Viareggio, held since the end of the last century, was originally conceived as a procession performance. The main events take place on four Sundays, when giant carts with huge figures towering on them and a “support group” dressed in the most fantastic costumes move along the main promenade of Viareggio.
Carnival processions and parades, fireworks and concerts, concerts and folk festivals, a football tournament and a beauty contest - that’s what the carnival in Viareggio is all about. Unbridled fantasy, boundless fun, non-stop music, sleepless nights - this is also a carnival. And endless sadness when it ends.
Italians love holidays and various carnivals like no other. As the residents of this country themselves believe, every day a holiday is celebrated in some town or settlement. As in any country, national holidays in Italy are divided into civil and religious. But any event is very colorful, with processions and fun. Not a single Italian can answer how many significant dates they have, since their number is very large.
What are the holidays dedicated to in Italy?
Italy is a country known for its culinary traditions, as well as for the fact that the Vatican, the center of Catholic life throughout Europe, is located on its territory. That's why Italians have a lot of different festivals dedicated to products, when locals show off their cooking skills, as well as celebrations in honor of saints.
Public holidays and carnivals
Venice Carnival. Italy is inseparable from the carnival, which takes place annually in Venice and attracts more than 500 thousand people. The origins of this tradition go back to the Middle Ages. The costume party is organized every year in February. The carnival is famous for its masks, which festival participants make with their own hands. The more beautiful the decoration, the greater the chances of taking part in the mask competition. Immediately after the carnival, the pre-Easter fast begins.
New Year. Italians like to celebrate the beginning of the new year with open air. They drink wine on the street straight from the bottle and break the empty container for good luck. The first of January is a public holiday in Italy and if it falls on Saturday or Sunday, it is moved to Monday.
Sweet day. Saint Valentine, the protector of all lovers, is revered in all countries of the European continent. February 14th is a “sweet day” in Italy. Here they give sweet kisses, sweets, plush toys.
March 8. In Italy, March 8 is not a day off. On this day, rallies and demonstrations are held in many cities. But Italians do not like to celebrate this day. They are outraged that attention is paid to women only once a year, when it should be daily.
Father's Day. Saint Giuseppe, according to Italian beliefs, was the father of Christ and always protected the poor and girls. Therefore, on March 19, it is customary to invite a poor person to dinner and feed him. This is one of the most revered holidays. Children give their fathers gifts and thank them for what they have. But still, Mother's Day, which is held on May 12, is more revered among Italians.
Public holidays
Founding Day of Rome. On April 21, the gates of the eternal city open for city residents and tourists and let them in for a colorful holiday. On this day, a beauty contest began to be held among girls from those territories that were once part of the Roman Empire.
Day of liberation from fascism. Italy's national holiday, which is celebrated on April 25, commemorates the fact that Mussolini left Milan and people began to fight for democratic freedoms.
Labor Day. Every year on May 1, demonstrations are held in all cities of Italy in honor of Labor Day. But the holiday is better known for the fact that on the first day of May, men in love place a branch of a tree or bush under the threshold of their beloved, as a symbol of the fact that they want to offer her their hand and heart. Also on May 1st a kind of youth day is held. Music concerts are organized. It has become a tradition to plant a tree on this day, but some people simply erect a pole, decorate it with garlands and hold festivities around it.
Republic Day. Monarchies in Italy were ended on June 2, when a republican system was proclaimed as a result of general elections. On this day, parades with obligatory air shows are held in major cities of the country.
Religious holidays
Easter. The most revered holiday among all Catholics is Easter. Not for him set day like all Christians. The date changes every year. The most the best gift eggs are considered, especially chocolate ones with a surprise. At Easter, various egg dishes are eaten.
St. Lawrence Day. During the reign of Valerian, Saint Lawrence was persecuted and persecuted as an adherent of the faith of Christ. Valerian forbade disrespect for paganism. Since then, Italians have been waiting on the night of August 10-11 for the first star to fall so they can make a wish that is sure to come true within a year.
St. Bartholomew's Day. Very fun party, taking place with festivities, tug-of-war competitions, and other sports competitions. Performances are held in city squares, and dishes are prepared according to recipes from different provinces. The holiday ends with a traditional brass band concert.
All Saints' Day. On the first day of November, patron saints are venerated in Italy. Italians visit cemeteries and commemorate deceased relatives. And if November 1 falls on the first Sunday of the month, then it is also a holiday of National Unity.
Day of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This holiday is celebrated differently in every city. But everyone honors Madonna on this day and brings flowers to her statues. Christmas markets take place in the main squares on December 8th.
Christmas. Italians love December 25th as the day to start new life and get rid of everything old that was in life. They literally throw away everything: dishes, things and even furniture. At Christmas, Italians give each other small gifts, mainly sweets and small toys.
St. Stephen's Day. One of the oldest carnivals in Italy begins on December 26 in Putignano, lasts several days and ends with Maslenitsa. Farinella is the hero of the carnival. He is dressed in colorful clothes and a hat with bells. The celebration continues until late at night. At midnight before the fast begins, a bell begins to ring and strikes 365 times. After the final blow, all festivities stop. Lent begins. Ashes are sprayed over the heads of the gathered people as a sign that the time of freedom is over, the time of restriction has come.
Baptism. One of the brightest and favorite holidays, especially among children. After all, on this day the sorceress Befana delivers sweets to homes. And the story began with the fact that the wise men, going to Jesus with gifts, invited the good sorceress Befana to go with them, but she refused. And when she made up her mind, it was too late - the wise men had gone far away. Since then, Befana has been delivering gifts to homes on the night of January 6th. She flies on a broomstick, enters houses through a pipe and places gifts on the socks that are hung by the residents who are already waiting for her. And for children who behave badly, Befana only brings colored coals of sugar.
This day is considered the end of New Year's festivities. On January 6th, fairs are held where sweet Befana figurines are always sold.
Abbot Saint Antonio's Day. In central and southern Italy, January 17th is a day dedicated to Saint Antonio, the first priest to become an ascetic and spend his life in the desert.
Saint Inessa's Day. On January 21, a solemn event takes place in the Church of St. Agnes: two sheep, which were raised especially for this day, are sheared and a cloak is woven from their wool. The cloak is then presented to the Pope as a gift.