We will start with the Christmas celebrations, particularly rich that
start on the 8th of December the day of the Immaculate Conception
until the 6th of January . In this arch of time between the old
and the new year in every church and characteristic angle ( in
particular the fountains) THE PRESEPE ( Christmas Cribs) are
prepared with devotion. Some presepi have antique statuettes of the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries that jealous hands have saved to
continue the tradition; do not miss those of Pogerola and Atrani where
the statuettes of the seventeen hundreds are faithful reproductions of
local costumes of the epoch.
The presentation of the live Nativity has been renewed, particularly
interesting those of Praiano, Raito, Pogerola and Tramonti; not to be
miss the skin-divers pilgrimage to the ceramic crib in the Emerald
Grotto of Conca dei Marini...
The unusual combination of sea-side and Christmas trimmings create a
magic atmosphere, a dream: THE DESCENT OF THE STAR, a lighted
comet that at Amalfi on the stroke of midnight of the 24th of December ,
descends accompanied by fireworks and the ringing of bells; it comes
down from the mountain to the entrance of the Cathedral.
A few minutes later another star descends at Atrani followed by a grand
festa in the square panettone and champagne in hand...
After this toast yet another TOAST ON THE NEW YEAR , celebrated
at Amalfi with a noisy exhibitions by folk groups who with songs and
music and a superb firework display transform the Cathedral square into
an open air dance hall where there is dancing until dawn ...
The groups repeat the performance the next day with satirical songs and
tarantella, wishing a Happy New Year to residents and tourist...
On the day of Shrove Tuesday , gay and without too much attention to
detail as Carnival should be , a procession of dancers in fancy dress
and small Carnival floats ,fruit of popular imagination ...Do not miss
the GRAND CARNIVAL OF MAIORI...On the long promenade to the
rhythm of the samba, the allegorical floats pass by in grand style,
accompanied by a crowd of dancers in fancy dress, with confetti and much
gaiety..
The maximum expression of popular tradition, in the Easter period the
ancient religious confraternity organize in the various towns THE
SACRED SEPULCHRES, the altars of the Churches decorated with
white wheat; and the processions of the "Battenti" , candid
hooded figures who carry the Sacred Mysteries, symbols of the Passion
and Death of Christ.
The
Stations of THE CROSS OF MAUNDY THURSDAY , when the hooded men
repeat the capture and Passion of Christ in the local streets .
Ravello entrusts to a local theatrical group the representation ( that
lasts
several hours) and with meticulous precision follows all the phases of
the Passion and Death of Christ, reaching moments of great suggestion .
Good Friday at Amalfi there is funeral procession by torchlight with
hooded figures (CORTEO DEI BATTENTI) that escort to the sepulchre
Our Lady of Sorrows and the Dead Christ:
In absolute silence broken only by the choir with a lament (music and
words by the Amalfitan musician Antonio Tirabassi 1882- 1947) that
expresses the desperation of the Madonna.
In June , THE DISFIDA DEI TROMBONIERI / LA PERGAMENA
BIANCA, (Challenge of the Fusiliers/ The White Parchment) of Cava
dei Tirrreni .
The magnificent Sbandieratori and more than a thousand people dressed to
represent the great medieval houses, the ancient Fusiliers contest the
White Parchment, received as a prize from the Royal house of Aragon in
1460.
Another occasion to recall the past, every four years THE REGATTA OF
THE ANCIENT MARINE REPUBLICS,
renewing the rivalry between Amalfi, Pisa, Genoa and Venice( who
alternately host the event ).
Since the middle of the fifties , the rowing competition between the
four galleons of the republics each with the colour and symbol of its
city , proceeded by the solemn historical procession with the rolling of
drums and the squeal of trumpets as the four delegations pass in the
costumes of their cities...
To end, the full summer programme that has more than a thousand
appointments, not to be missed:
THE NAVAL PROCESSION OF ST. PETER the 29th of June at Cetara , at
Positano the exclusive MODAMARE POSITANO (Fashion Show) an
international appointment during which guests from the world of culture
and show-business present the summer swim-wear collections of the main
fashion houses; THE WAGNER FESTIVAL in the enchanting scenery of
Villa Rufolo; AMALFI E' NOTTE (Amalfi by Night) with interesting
itineraries of art in the alleyways of the ancient city; the solemn CELEBRATION
OF SS.VERGIN ASSUNTA at Maiori and Positano, a real competition
between the two towns for the most splendid firework display at midnight.
In the month of September the delicious cultural and gastronomic treat GUSTAMINORI
,(a Taste of Minori), a voyage in the memory to recall the atmosphere of
the past, ancient trades, tastes and popular stories...
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