The St Martin’s summer lights up in the darkness (11 nov)
filled by Giulia & Romeo
The St Martin’s summer lights up in the darkness of the Val di Fiemme. In Predazzo, on November 11th, the festival takes place every year, starting from the lighting up of the lamps on the mountain ... After the Ave Maria, a few minutes after eight, the mountain suddenly lights up as if it’s day as they are five great bonfires simultaneously lit up, one for each district of the town: Ischia, Brewery, Sommavilla, Molin and Piè di Predazzo.
The districts compete to get the higher flame-ups of all. A ritual connected to the cycle of seasons, which marks the end of winter, the conclusion of the work in the fields and the return of shepherds from the mountains. And the fire, according to ancient beliefs, then keep away evil spirits ...
The "ase", the piles of wood of the five fires, prepared by the boys in the days before, reach up to 14 meters in height.
While the fires burn, they begin to flow from the mountain blocks tolling bells, the sounds of cow's or goat's horn, anticipating the second part of the festival. As the fires dies down, in fact, the neighborhood groups are rushing to the plain of the town shaking cowbells and drums, beating each object that makes a noise, tins by the horns, trumpets, trombones and trumpets, drums and tambourines.
All groups, immersed in a deafening din, a brisk run through the streets of the country to gather in Piazza SS Philip and James, where for a few minutes trying to extract from their instruments sound more loud and shrill. To ward off evil spirits and to rediscover the pleasures of tradition and of being together, including chestnuts, hot tea or wine boulè.
In the photo: Turning on the lamps for the fireworks for the festival of St. Martin
photo of Gianni Zotta
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