Page 72 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

70  INTRODUCING IT AL Y

ITALY THROUGH THE YEAR

Throughout Italy, the variety of local in a healthy interest in food and produce,
character and colour is astonishing. This is as well as a perseverance of seasonal religious
mainly due to the survival of regionalism, and secular events. Annual festivals, whether
particularly in the southern parts of the in rural or urban areas, range from wine-
country. Old traditions, customs and lifestyles tasting and gastronomic celebrations to
are still greatly respected and there is a deep elaborate commemorations of every patron
attachment to the land, which is reflected saint imaginable.

the city’s streets, up and down
Spring
the bridges.
The Italian spring begins early,
particularly in the south. City April
streets and main sights are rarely Procession of the Grieving
overcrowded (except at Easter Madonna (Good Friday),
in Rome). The weather, however, Procida, Campania. A colourful
can be unpredictable and wet religious procession throughout
in the central and northern parts the island.
of the country. Spring specialities, Holy Week (Easter
such as asparagus, spinach Week). Numerous
and rocket, begin to feature Easter celebrations
on restaurant menus. from Palm Sunday
This is a season of great to Easter Sunday,
celebration; festivals and throughout the country.
fairs abound, especially Papal Address (Easter Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the
in Sicily, and the Easter Sunday), Rome. The pope Carriage) festival in Florence
papal address always makes his Easter address
draws massive crowds from the Vatican. Sagra Musicale Lucchese
to St Peter’s. Dance of the Devils (dates vary), Lucca, Tuscany.
(Easter Sunday), Prizzi, Festival of sacred music held
March Tuscan Sicily. Dance recital in Romanesque churches.
Dolomiti Ski Jazz Festival, asparagus symbolizing the attempts
(mid-Mar), Val di Fiemme, of evil to vanquish May
Trentino-Alto Adige. Live jazz the forces of good. Festa di Sant’Efisio (1 May),
on the ski slopes. Scoppio del Carro (Easter Cagliari, Sardinia. Paraders in
Sa Sartiglia, Oristano, Sardinia. Sunday), Florence. Firework traditional Sardinian costume.
Three-day carnival ending on display is lit by a mechanical Festa di San Nicola (7–9 May),
Shrove Tuesday. dove in front of the Duomo. Bari, Puglia. A statue of St
Su e zo per i ponti (Sun, varies), Festa della Madonna che Nicholas is taken to the sea.
Venice. A lively race through Scappa in Piazza Festa dei Ceri (15 May), Gubbio,
(Easter Sunday), Umbria. Festival, including a
Sulmona, Abruzzo. race with four teams carrying
Re-enactment large candles.
of a meeting Festa di San
between the Virgin Domenico Abate
and the Risen Christ. (first Thu), Cocullo,
Festa degli Aquiloni Abruzzo. Includes
(first Sun after Easter), a procession with a
San Miniato, Tuscany. Spring statue of St Dominic
Kite lovers perform aerial strawberries covered with live snakes.
acro batics at this festival. Festa dello Speck
Festa di San Marco (25 Apr), (late May), Bolzano, Trentino-
Venice. St Mark, the patron saint Alto Adige. A celebration of
of Venice, is commemorated the famed ham.
by a gondola race across Greek Drama in Theatre (May–
St Mark’s Basin. Jun), Syracuse, Sicily. Festival of
Mostra Mercato Inter nazionale Greek drama.
dell’Artigianato (last week), Maggio Musicale (May–Jun),
Florence. An important Florence. This is the city’s
Procession of the Grieving Madonna European exhibition of arts biggest arts festival, including
on the isle of Procida and crafts. music, drama and dance.

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