Next January 16th in Bagnaia, a characteristic village of the Tuscia near Viterbo, the demonstration of the Sacred Fire of Sant'Antonio Abate returns to the square. It is an event that represents the culminating moment of the local tradition for the Lazio town.
The Feast of the Sacred Fire
On January 16 of each year, a large bonfire is set up in the main square of the town, made with many logs of wood. An ancient rite accompanied by dances and musical performances and the inevitable tastings of typical gastronomic delicacies. Before starting the fire show, inside the village a historical procession passes through the oldest part of the town. In the days that follow and those that precede the real festival, various popular games are organised. They also distribute the hot chocolate and the typical biscuits called cavallucci made by the women of Bagnaia, according to the ancient recipes of the local culinary tradition.
In view of the party the boys of Organizing Committee they head towards Monte della Palanzana to look for wood for the following year's event. At lunchtime, the girls in the group arrive to bring food and create a genuine occasion for conviviality. They are moments of sharing, of joy among the younger generations of the village who thus carry on the uses and customs of the place. That of the sacred fire is a celebration, therefore, which is a true full immersion in the most ancient and beloved traditions of the village. Initiatives enriched by playful and leisure moments that really manage to involve the whole community.
(Images of the Facebook page Sacred Fire of Saint Anthony (Bagnaia-VT)
