Feste

On the heels of Lanciano’s Medieval Festival and Mastrogiurato Ceremony, the annual Feste marks the end of the summer season, celebrates the harvest and virtually takes over the lives of the townspeople.

Two weeks ago, the harvest parade known as the Il Duono occurred in which bountiful farm produce was paraded through the town. A good portion of the produce was auctioned off that evening with the proceeds being donated to local charities.

Feste itself started early on last Tuesday morning, in fact at 4:00 a.m. It was rather hard to miss since it was announced with a thunderous, ear-shattering volley of explosions and colourful fireworks. If one slept through that, then the marching bands that started parading through the streets at 4:30 a.m. ensured everyone that the day had begun. The lights that had been set up previously... 

were lit on the corso...

as the townsfolk moved to various establishments like the Mercato (where our students eat lunch) to enjoy a traditional breakfast for that day, piazza and peppers. 

Marching bands entertained in the later afternoon.

Towards the end of the day, the piazzas were cleared of cars and tables and stages were erected for the various evening’s festivities.

The corso was crowded with people.

Each night from Tuesday until Friday was marked by dinners of suckling pig...

 prepared by many like these gentlemen...

As well as celery sold by ladies like this one. 

The piazzas were full of families, friends and neighbours eating together and enjoying each other’s company and a simple meal together. 

The Piazza Plebicito was relatively calm and empty in the early evening...

and jam packed for the concerts and shows that ranged from performances of local talent to rock bands to big band jazz groups. 

Concerts began at 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. and ended at midnight. They were enjoyed by old and young alike.

On the last night of the Feste, the Madonna, the patron saint of Lanciano was taken out of the Basilica and carried by the townsfolk up the corso in a solemn but celebratory parade - a clear expression of the centrality of faith in this community.

Each night was concluded with a fireworks display with Friday night seeing the biggest, longest and loudest extravaganza.

Soon the crews will come to dismantle the lights and put away the stages signalling for all in Lanciano a transition from summer to fall.