Ferragostain Italia represents one of the most rooted holidays in our culture: its origins could trace the era of the Roman Empire, when Ottaviano Augusto would have established the feast of Feriae Augusti (which means “vacation of Augustus”) to put order between the pre -existing summer popular celebrations, typically associated with agricultural work. With the advent of Christianity, then, on August 15 he was connected to the assumption of Mary.
But, therefore, only in Italy is the mid -August? In reality, no, it is a rather widespread holiday in different European countries including Spain, France and Greece, even if outside our country takes on a much more religious connotation: no grilling, mountain excursions to escape the heat of the summer or bonfires on the beach, but mostly processions and put to celebrate the intake of the Virgin Mary.
Ferragosto in Spain: the processions for taking Mary
After Italy, Spain is certainly the European country where the celebrations for mid -August are more rooted in national culture: on August 15, in fact, the “Asunción de la Virgen María” is celebrated, on the occasion of which processions are held in the main streets of the cities and solemn puts dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
In particular, the “Verbena de la Virgen de la Paloma” is held in the capital Madrid, a popular festival that takes place in the Latina district and which includes processions, traditional dances, concerts and shows.
The celebrations in Greece of August 15: the “Dekapentavgoustos”
In Greece on August 15, known as “Dekapentavgoustos”, represents one of the most felt religious holidays throughout the year, to the point of having also been renamed “Easter of the summer”. The celebrations include masses, processions and celebrations always dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
In general, it is a holiday also linked to the return to the family and the origins: that’s why those who live in large urban centers often return to the Christmas cities, where it is typical to create religious pilgrimages. The best known is that of the island of Tinos, in the Cicladi archipelago, where thousands of faithful go to the Sanctuary of the Panagia Evangelistria every year, along the last stretches of road walking or on their knees as a gesture of sacrifice.
The “Assomption” in France for Ferragosto
In France, Ferragosto is the day of the “Assomption”: this festival sinks its origins in the kingdom of Louis XIII, which in 1638 dedicated the day of August 15 to the Virgin Mary to celebrate the birth of her heir, which then became Louis XIV, the Sun King.
Also in this case, the holiday mainly has a religious mold and, despite being a national festival, the celebrations are held mostly in rural areas and inland villages, where processions and masses are organized.
On August 15 in the rest of Europe and Latin America
In general, in the rest of Europe, mid -August represents a festive not celebrated by the population. Nonetheless, in some areas they continue to hand out the traditions related to August 15:
- In different regions of Germany, Switzerland and Austria it is traditional to celebrate the religious holiday “Marias Himmelfahrt”, literally taking Mary towards the sky.
- In Belgium and Luxembourg, the celebrations for August 15th follow the French traditions of the Assomption.
- In Poland, mid -August is dedicated to the Divine Mother of the Herbs (Matka Boska Zielna), patroness of the earth and its fruits according to national folklore. The tradition, very felt in the rural areas, plans to offer flowers, garlands of herbs and branches of fruit trees during the liturgical celebrations.
- In Latin America, processions and masses dedicated to taking the Virgin Mary are rather widespread, especially in countries such as Chile, Colombia or Costa Rica, but also in Brazil, where river processions are organized in honor of the “Nossa Senhora da Assunção”.
