Established in 1988 by Don Adamo Castagnaro, the Emigrant Festival is a regular event in Conflenti. It marks the beginning of the celebrations in honor of the Madonna della Quercia. Visor scheduled for the last Sunday in August. A sort of trailblazer that anticipates all the other religious events eagerly awaited not only by the people of Conflenti but also by pilgrims from all over the world.
How the Emigrant Festival was born
In the 60s, and precisely in 1962, Monsignor Moietta, the then Bishop of the Diocese of Lamezia Terme, dedicated the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Quercia di Visora to the emigrants. In reality, however, there was no day dedicated to them. Since they had to return home soon, forgoing the celebration on the last Sunday, Don Adamo decided to reserve the second Sunday of the month for them. Not too early for the late emigrants, nor too late for those forced to return to work immediately after mid-August. The program was, and in part still is, very extensive. Moments of prayer alternated with moments of social gathering.
The Party before…
Early in the morning, as the bells announce the start of Mass, the Mameli Anthem resounds within the Basilica, sung by the Conflenti community. Two children raise the Italian flag, along with the peace flag. It marks the beginning of the Eucharistic celebration, which is marked by the lighting of a votive lamp, called the Emigrant's Lamp, by the emigrant who has been absent from Conflenti the longest. In the afternoon, attention shifts to the procession, colored by flags of every nationality. These lead the procession of the Divine Painting. This, too, has been meticulously planned by the rector of the Minor Basilica of Conflenti. "Holding a procession with the statue of the Madonna was becoming repetitive. So I thought of the Divine Painting, which had been somewhat forgotten in our community." The celebration concludes with an evening of fellowship, music, and a stew carefully prepared by the late Aunt Lella, Raffaella Paola, who leads other volunteers.
Emigrant's Day now
Over the years, the moment of evening conviviality has been lost. But this year, alongside the religious part of the celebration, which remains unchanged, there is a program developed by the organizations operating in the area. At 6:00 pm the Municipality of Conflenti, together with the Pro Loco, the association "Una Voce tante Voci" and "Italians.it”, will make it possible to have a web meeting with emigrants from all over the world. While from 8:30 pm onwards, at Piazza dell'Emigrato”, the Municipal Avis, in association with “ASD Conflenti”, “Conflenti trekking”, “Felici & Conflenti”, will try to revive tradition through a tasting itinerary of typical products, music and popular games.
Strong roots forever
All this to thank and shower with affection all those who leave Conflenti only physically, never truly. We like to recall the thought of an emigrant during the celebrations on August 13, 2000, with guest Otello Profazio: "I haven't been in Italy for 40 years, but for 20. In fact, for the first 20 years, I was in Argentina during the day, but always in Conflenti at night." And so we could perhaps say that their roots will forever remain firmly anchored in the heart of our land.
