Italian celebrations reflect Italian culture, history and religion. Many towns celebrate their patron saint's day with events like parades and markets. Major holidays include Epiphany in January, Carnival in February before Lent, Easter in March/April, Liberation Day and Republic Day in spring, Assumption of Mary in August, All Saints' and Souls' Days in November, and Christmas in December. Beyond national holidays, Italians also celebrate birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Women's Day within their families and communities.

1. Treasure 5 ITALIAN CELEBRATIONS

2. Italian calendar of festivities reflects Italian culture, history and religious practices. Some Italian
feasts are similar to those celebrated elsewhere, while others are unique to Italy. Moreover from
large cities to small towns, Italians honour the patron Saint of their home town each year, by taking
the day off and hosting events like parades and markets (for example: Saint Mark in Venice, St. John
the Baptist in Florence, Genoa and Turin, Saints Peter and Paul in Rome, Saint Gennaro in Naples,
Saint Ambrogio in Milan). The patron Saint of Aversa is Saint Paul celebrated on January 25th, while
the patron Saint of Cesa is Saint Cesario celebrated on November the 3rd.

3. January- Epiphany
Epifania ( a Latin word with Greek
origins meaning "manifestation of the divinity”) marks the
end of Christmas and New Year's festivities in Italy, after
which children go back to school, adults go back to work, and
the Christmas decorations come down. “La befana” is an old
woman (a friendly witch) who arrives on her broomstick
on Epiphany Eve (during the night of January 5th) with toys
and sweets for the good children and coal for the bad ones, in
a similar way to St Nicholas or Santa Claus. Strictly from a
religious viewpoint, the Feast commemorates the twelfth day
of Christmas, when the three Wise Men arrived at the manger
bearing gifts for Baby Jesus. According to the legend, the
night before the arrival, they stopped at the shack of an old
woman to ask directions. They invited her to come along but
she replied that she was too busy. Later that night, she saw a
great light in the sky and decided to join them, unfortunately
she got lost and never found the manger. Now La Befana flies
around on her broomstick each year on the night before
Epiphany, bringing gifts to children in hopes that she might
find the Baby Jesus. Children hang their stockings on
Epiphany Eve, waiting for her visit

4. February- Carnival
Italians prepare for Lent (the 40 days of abstinence
before Easter) by indulging in lots of sweet treats…
Carnevale, Italian for Carnival, has roots in pagan
festivals and traditions and it was adapted to fit into the
Catholic rituals. It comes 40 days before Easter, so the
date changes each year. Carnevale is in Italy as a great
party before Ash Wednesday. Venice and Viareggio have
the most well-known celebrations, although it is
celebrated all over Italy as a huge winter festival
marked by parades, masquerade balls, entertainment,
music, and parties. Children throw confetti (ticker tape,
coriandoli in Italian) at each other, and sometimes flour
and raw eggs! Mischief and pranks are common during
Carnevale in Italy, hence the saying "a Carnevale
ogni scherzo vale" (anything goes at Carnival time).

5. March- April – Easter
The date of this religious holiday varies between March and April,
according to the Gregorian calendar. Regardless of exactly when it
falls, the Holy week leading up to Easter Sunday includes
processions and masses, while Easter Sunday is a joyous day in
itself, because the meaning of Easter is Jesus Christ's victory over
death. His resurrection symbolizes the eternal life that is granted
to all who believe in Him.
Since Easter is the end of the Lenten season, which requires
sacrifice, food plays a big part in the celebrations. A traditional
Easter soup made with beef, veal, pork and herbs is especially
popular in Campania and is eaten at the beginning of the Easter
meal. It is almost mandatory to have lamb as the main course (and
depending on the region, it can be served in various ways: roasted,
stewed, cooked in egg and pepper ) or goat as a lamb substitute in
some regions; roasted artichokes are the traditional side order
dish for Easter and special Easter breads are made. Colomba, a
dove shaped yeast cake, is eaten at the end of the meal and often
given as gift, as are hollow chocolate eggs. Chocolate bunnies are
not so popular in Italy, it's all about eggs, the symbol of rebirth.
Chocolate eggs stuffed with a surprise toy for children, while for
adults they contain such treats as jewellery inside.
On Easter Monday (called Pasquetta, literally translated as Little
Easter), the festivities go on with family and friends packing up the
leftovers from the Easter feast into picnic baskets, getting
together, reaching parks or the countryside, beaches, vineyards to
enjoy the spring sunshine.

6. April 25th
Liberation Day or Festa della Liberazione is a national
public holiday, commemorating the end of World War
II and the victory of the Resistance (April 25th 1945)
who fought against the Nazis and Mussolini’s troops.
The liberation put an end to twenty-three years of
fascist dictatorship and five years of war and the day
honors the Partisans who served and died in the Italian
Resistance. It represents the beginning of the historical
journey which led to the end of the monarchy and the
creation of the Italian Republic. Many Italians extend
the holiday to Labor Day on May 1st, taking a break to
enjoy the start of spring weather. Many towns host
special events, as marching bands, music concerts, food
festivals and other public gatherings take place. The
Italian flag is usually seen in parades to celebrate
Liberation Day. The song ‘Bella Ciao’ is also played often
around this time of the year, as it was sung by the
Partisans.

7. June 2nd
Republic Day, “Festa della Repubblica” in Italian,
celebrates the day when Italians voted to abolish the
monarchy in 1946 so their country could become a
Republic, adopting later its Costitution of the
Republic (in 1948). The public was hostile to the
monarchy, which had supported Benito’s Mussolini
rule. Around that time, the Italian royal family was
also exiled from Italy.
Each year, to commemorate that day, in the morning
a grand military parade is held in central Rome,
along Via dei Fori Imperiali, presided over by
the President of the Italian Republic; the parade
ends with a flyby of the ”Frecce Tricolori” aerobatic
team: 9 planes emitting red, green and white smoke
fly in formation, creating a beautiful design
resembling the Italian Flag. Finally a wreath is laid
by the President at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
at “Altare della Patria”, which is ever lit by an eternal
flame. The ceremony goes on in the afternoon with
the opening of the gardens of the Quirinale Palace,
the residence of the Italian President.

8. August 15th is a bank holiday in Italy. It is when Roman
Catholics celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into
Heaven - the day when Catholics believe Mary ascended to
heaven "body and soul" after the end of her life on earth. It’s
traditional to use the August long weekend to take a trip,
usually escaping the heat at the seaside, lakes or mountains,
so if you stay in town, you'll notice it's much quieter than
usual. it is habit of the young people to spend the night on
the beach chatting, eating, playing the guitar, singing, sat
around a bonfire.

9. November 1st and 2nd
In Italy, we celebrate All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, on November 1st
and November 2nd respectively. All Saints’ Day (Ognissanti in Italian) is the
feast of all the Saints of the Catholic calendar and it is a public holiday. We
do not work nor go to school on that day. All Souls’ Day is the Day of the
dead (“Giorno dei Morti” in Italian) and it is the day when we remember
those who have departed. Actually, both days are devoted to the dead. On
November 1st, it is customary to go to Mass and then visit the cemetery.
Quite frequently, Mass is held directly at the cemetery, some other times
Mass is held in the church and then there’s a procession that takes people
to the cemetery, where the priest blesses the dead. During the last week of
October, cemeteries in Italy are quite busy and crowded with people. People
clean and prepare graves, decorating them with fresh flowers, and visit the
tombs of faraway relatives and friends. Chrysanthemums are flowers
closely linked to the Day of the Dead (probably because they are in bloom in
this period) and no Italian would ever give them as a present to
anyone. According to the legend, the peasants of many Catholic countries
believe that the night the dead return to their former homes and feed the
food of the living. That’s why the sweets of the dead were born. They vary
from region to region, in Campania we make The Dead’s Nougat, a soft long
dessert, sold in pieces, and by weight, in many shops and small outdoor
stores, made by hazelnuts, dried or candied fruit, coffee beans, almonds,
puffed rice and many other ingredients.

10. December- Christmas
December 8th is the Day of the Immaculate
Conception, often considered the beginning of the
Christmas season (this holy day is just the day when the
Church decided that Mary was born without the stain of
original sin), when Christmas trees, lights and
decorations, nativity scenes and Christmas
markets (Mercatini di Natale) are often seen starting
around. Nativity scenes, also called manger scenes,
Presepi in Italian, are often found in churches, but also
outdoors, in squares (piazze) or public areas,
too. Crafting these ornate works of art by hand, remains
an artisanal tradition in many parts of the country.
Naples is world-famous for its hand-made presepi. It
still has whole streets with one workshop after another,
devoted to the craft.
The eight days before Christmas, also known as
the Novena, are filled with carolers (zampognari),
singing traditional songs around the neighbourhood.

11. According to tradition, on Christmas Eve (La vigilia) a fish dinner is eaten with the family.
Meat is banned, it’s all fish and vegetables, because you’re supposed to have a “giorno di
magro”, eating lean to help purify your body for the holiday. One traditional Christmas Eve
dishes are shellfish, capitone (eel), baccalà (salted cod)…Then, of course, the pasta dishes
come. These also vary. In the north, especially Lombardy and Piedmont, lasagna is covered
with anchovies and parmesan. In Naples, it’s vermicelli or linguine( types of spaghetti)
with clams or mussels. By the way, this “lean” dinner foresees at least seven courses,
because seven are the sacraments and in Italy we are strictly devoted to them. Guests are
sometimes entertained with a game called Tombola, which is similar to Bingo. After dinner,
Italians usually go to see a living nativity scene and attend midnight mass. Traditional
bonfires are often held on Christmas Eve in the main square of the town.
On Christmas day, lunch is the main meal and it is usually meat-based. Tortellini in brodo-
meat stuffed dumplings in broth—is a common kickoff to the meal, usually followed by
stuffed turkey. Finally there are the desserts: sweets breads such as Panettone and
Pandoro; Struffoli( traditional Neapolitan pastries) and Mostaccioli (spiced nut pastries),
etc…

12. Birthday Party
In addition to these national bank holidays, in Italy we also
have more intimate celebrations that are not public holiday,
such as birthdays and name days (the latter were celebrated
more often in the past, especially here in the South, when the
custom of handing down names from generation to
generation was more rooted).
Birthdays are celebrated all over the world as a rite of
passage. In Italy we usually give a party at home or at a club,
invite friends and family. The birthday boy or girl offers the
whole party, that’s to say he/she will prepare all of the food
or paying for his/her guests. No birthday party would be
complete without the celebrant blowing out the candles on
the birthday cake. Whether the celebrant is turning 1 or 100,
the cake is often one of the most iconic parts of the party,
something that is an event all in itself, rather than just being
a dessert. The celebrant (il festeggiato in Italian) must blow
on the candles put on his personalized birthday cake and
discard the gifts in front of guests once received them. Since
the festivity is being paid by the festeggiato/a, gifts are
definitely expected and the wrapping is just as important as
the gifts are expected to be wrapped beautifully. Do not open
them while you’re alone, it is considered a rude gesture.

13. Father’s Day/ Mother’s Day/ Grandparents’ day
Two other very heartfelt celebrations within the family are Father's Day and Mother's Day.
Father’s day is celebrated on the 19th of March which is Saint Joseph’s day, the father of Jesus
Christ. Saint Joseph is considered by the Catholic tradition as the symbol of a perfect father who
fulfills his assigned role within the family, but also the protector of woodworkers, poor people and
orphans. A lot of local customs are associated to this date. The most widespread habits include a
great turmoil among children who are very busy in writing special cards, poems and nursery
rhymes in order to give them to their daddy. Schools usually foster these activities, organizing
special lessons on that. Ties, wallets, socks and perfumes are the most common presents sons and
daughters would give to their fathers. A lot of events and street markets are organized in the towns
while Italian families use to have a special lunch to honour the father or they decide to go on a trip
to celebrate this occasion. The most famous dish made on this day in Campania is called “Zeppola
di San Giuseppe”: a sugar pastry, filled with cream and a black cherry, amarena, on top.
Although mothers are respected and appreciated all year round, the "official" Mother's Day -
known as "La Festa della Mamma" is celebrated in Italy on the second Sunday of May. Many
stereotypes exist about the Italian “mamma” and the Italians as mammoni, eternal “mama’s boys”.
What is certainly true, is that Italian mothers are still the main focus of the family and family
traditions. On this day, both children and adults usually buy presents for their mothers. Flowers
are very popular, usually roses or plants. Above all, mother, on this day, is a special guest. Everyone
helps her and she doesn’t work for a day, at least. In fact, Festa della Mamma has become the most
popular of the year to eat out.
Italy decided to create a special day in order to honour grandparents: la Festa dei
Nonni (Grandparents’ Day) celebrated on October the 2nd and recently introduced, the day that
the Catholic Church celebrates guardian angels, which is just what most grandparents seem to be.
Cakes cooked together, experiences and stories told near a fireplace, holidays together… these are
only some of the things usually shared with grandparents that grandchildren will always
remember and perhaps will in turn pass on to their own future grandchildren.

14. Valentine’s day
Even if Valentine's Day has its origin in the Roman
Empire, the celebration of Valentine's Day in Italy is
actually an imported holiday from the American
tradition, just like Halloween. It is a holiday for
romantic couples. To celebrate this lovers' feast,
Italians give each other flowers, plan romantic
dinners and present each other with chocolates.
The renowned Italian chocolate maker, Perugina
celebrates this day by making a special edition of
the Baci chocolate candies. “Bacio” means “kiss”.
These chocolates are always a favourite and inside
the foil wrapper there is a "love note" with a
romantic phrase. February 15th has been
designated as a day of celebration just for singles,
known as La Festa dei Single (Singles' Day) or Festa
di San Faustino (Feast of San Faustino). While it
started out as something of a joke, the annual
celebration of single life has become increasingly
popular, with events marking the occasion in many
of Italy's big cities - ranging from sociable dinners
to speed-dating events for those looking for love.

15. Women’s Day
On March the 8th the International Women’s Day ( born to
remember the sacrifice of 129 women who died in the fire of a
garment factory in New York) is celebrated as ”Festa della donna”
in Italy. While it is not a holiday that shuts down businesses or
schools, it is pretty impossible to miss this feast. On March 8th, the
streets of Italy seem to be taken over by yellow blossomed
mimosas, symbol of the day, chosen because it blooms in March.
The holiday is a bit similar to Valentine’s Day – and many women
are treated to dinner by their partners. Alternatively, a lot of ladies
use the day as an excuse for a much needed Girls Night Out, and
gather friends for drinks and dinner.

16. Halloween
While the main holidays are still All Saints' Day on Nov. 1st,
an Italian holiday, and All Souls' Day on Nov. 2nd, the
custom of celebrating Halloween on Oct. 31st is starting to
take hold in many Italian cities. Italy imported this festival
from the USA through films, TV and pop culture. It all
started as a way to entertain children with the famous
trick-or-treat routine (children, in costumes, travel from
house to house, asking for treats with the phrase "Trick or
treat", “Dolcetto o scherzetto” in Italian, The "treat" is
usually some form of candy or pumpkin shaped biscuits.
The "trick" refers to a threat to perform on the
homeowners or their property if no treat is given).
Halloween costumes and pumpkins decorations are on
display in shop windows and can be found in many stores.
Children's costume parties are mainly held during the day,
but in the evening many nightclubs, bars and restaurants
advertise special costume parties for adults

17. San Silvestro
“Cosa fai per San Silvestro?” means “What are you doing for New
Year's Eve?”
Some traditions include eating lentils and pork, as a symbol of
prosperity and long life, playing tombola (a kind of bingo), giving and
wearing red underwear for luck, and throwing your junk out the
window in preparation for new beginnings ( but usually in the past).
There are a few more familiar traditions too, including New Year's Eve
parties (veglioni di Capodanno), fireworks (fuochi d'artificio),
counting down to midnight (fare il conto alla rovescia) and cheers-ing
(brindare) when it arrives.
Grab a bunch of grapes with your other hand: eating 12 grapes, one for
each strike of the clock and month of the year, will bring you good
luck.
Once you've swallowed, it's time to wish those you're celebrating with
you all the best: you can say “Felice anno Nuovo” (Happy New Year).

18. 4Ak and 4As, the 4th year’s cooking and service classes of the smallest branch
of “Rainulfo Drengot” placed in Cesa, wish to thank you for your kind attention.
Who finds an Italian friend…
…finds