Ferragosto

FERRAGOSTOGrace Vandelac

Period 4Italian 2

March 6, 2014

Ferragosto is an italian holiday celebrated on August 15th every summer

It is a celebration of the middle of the summer and the end of the farming season

The celebration name comes from the Latin Feriae Augusti which means Augustus’ Rest

August 16th is the Holy Day of Obligation to commemorate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

What is Ferragosto?

At the BeachMany Italians go to the

beach during Ferragosto as their summer vacation

Many Italians take the entire month of August to go to the beach or on vacation

If you visit a non-tourist town during ferragosto, there will not be a lot of local businesses open

Italians eat, drink, and party to celebrate

They light fireworks on the beach during the nights too

In Siena, they race horses

Traditions

Ferragosto is all over in Italy and each city has its own unique way of celebrating. Here are a few:

Rome's Gran Ballo di Ferragosto fills Rome's squares with live dance performances. There is a different types of dance in each square In Tuscany, Montepulciano holds a historical pageant and games Cappelle sul Tavo, near Pescara on the Abruzzo coast, celebrates with the Palio of the Pupe. At theend of the celebration comes a fireworks display Sassari in Sardinia holds the Festa dei Candelieri that dates back to the 16th century. In this exciting festival on August 14th and 15th, you'll see a race with teams of men carrying huge and very heavy candles

Where is Ferragosto?