Ferragosto, the hottest party of the year, is celebrated in Italy and San Marino. We are all ready to draw up the list to prepare the fateful lunch en plein air or in a restaurant, but perhaps not everyone knows the origins of this anniversary. The story goes that Ferragosto it took shape in Ancient Rome and that, subsequently, the secular party turned into Catholic.
Origins and history of Ferragosto
The name "Mid-August " it owes its etymology to the Latin. Feriae augusti, that is "rest of Augustus". The party was wanted by the great Ottaviano Augusto, first Roman emperor from which the summer month takes its name.
It was the emperor himself who instituted the holiday dedicated to rest and recreation in 18 BC to celebrate the end of the working season. Throughout the empire there was an air of great celebration, they organized banquets and horse races. The whole routine was experienced as a moment of leisure, for this reason the horses not used for racing were spared from work and adorned with flowers and decorations. Furthermore, it was customary to see the peasants congratulate the landowners, receiving a tip in return.
In ancient times, however, Ferragosto it was celebrated on August 24st, even if in reality the days of celebration were much longer than the 13 hours. It even went up to an entire month of holidays, and the XNUMXth of August was dedicated to Diana, goddess of hunting and protector of the woods. Goddess present in many ancient representations, especially during the Baroque, she was depicted with a half moon on her head. The sculptures always show her in the company of a trusted animal and her inevitable arrows.
From a pagan party to a Catholic party
In the seventh century something changed. Ferragosto from a pagan party it became a Catholic. The decision of the Church was to make the two holidays coincide. Thus began to celebrate the Assumption of Mary, scheduled for August 15. But it was only in 1950 that the dogma of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was officially recognized. Today the Ferragosto however, it is not used to recharge the many energies spent during the weeks of harvesting and work in the fields. In today's times Ferragosto becomes synonymous with a trip out of town, divertissement in little corners of paradise to carve out a moment of relaxation out of this world. In our well-established tradition, the Ferragosto outdoors with friends in areas equipped to share a cheerful lunch in the mountains as in seaside resorts.
From the Fascist period to today
This new concept of celebrating Ferragosto it has its roots in the Fascist period. At the time, the regime organized trips out of town together with the after-work associations of various corporations. Italians could relax and take advantage of discounts created ad hoc on the railway network and enjoy the well-deserved relaxation for one to three days. It was on this occasion, over the years, that for the first time even the less well-to-do, thanks to the popular trains of August (just as they were called) had the opportunity to see the sea and the mountains with their own eyes. And since the tours of Ferragosto they did not provide an all-inclusive package like those of today, the famous and very consolidated habit of packed lunches was born. And now enjoy your chop and think about how far it had to go Ferragosto to get here! An ancient festival but never tired of being celebrated, it is an opportunity for rest, sharing and fun… and you? Do you already know what to do on August 15th?
