August 15 is a big, beautiful, summertime holiday in Italy. The tradition goes way back to the days of the Roman Empire, when it was the Festival Holidays of the Emperor Augustus.
Goddess Diana was at the center of the revels, symbolizing the cycle of fertility, and all were grateful for the summer days of sunshine and ripening.
Here’s Diana in a Villa D’Este fountain. What looks like breasts actually represent bull’s testicles, as bulls were sacrificed at the Temple of Mother Goddess Diana in Ancient Times.
Along came Catholicism, and the holiday switched to center around the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven, a triumphant event honoring the Mother of God, that inspired masterpieces…
Titian’s in the Frari in Venice is my favorite, with Mary dancing skyward…
The painting was recently restored by the Save Venice non-profit organization. It’s breaktaking to see it at the altar of the Basilica dei Frari, a treasure-filled spot in Venice where you can wander, without crowds.
I also love Correggio’s in the ceiling of Parma’s cathedral…
And Palma Vecchio’s, in the Galleria dell’Accademia in Venice…
Perugino’s in the Santissima Annunziata, Florence…
These days Ferragosto is a happy summer holiday for Italians. Cities get quiet, shops shut down, everybody heads for the beach.
Ferragosto Celebrations in Italy include processions honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.
And as Mary is Star of the Sea, Italy’s beach towns swell with festivities. Such as in Positano, a village on the Amalfi Coast, where the statue from the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta is paraded along the winding stairways…
The grand finale on the night of August 15 is a fabulous fireworks display…
My Jersey Shore memories of August 15:
This was the day when my mother would tell us:
“All the waters are blessed!”
So we’d be sure to take a swim in the ocean, bring bottles with us to the beach, fill them up with the blessed water, and carry them back to my Nana and the Zias, who would take breaks from making eggplant parmesan and pour that blessed water on their swelled-up feet…
Wherever you are, I wish you a peaceful time for a pause
And Happy Celebrations of this Abundant, Ripe Summertime —
Buon Ferragosto!
