Party Time at Italian Festivals.

Italians love to throw a party. Festivals are a component to life in Italy's many regions with celebrations marked by just about anything from a lemon to the world's largest frying pan. The Spring and Summer months bring some of the top festivals of the year with those rounding up as noteworthy mandate the revolving praise of bona-fide food.



Lemon Tree in Monterosso

Sagra del Limone, in Liguria attracts people to dabble in all things lemon, the region's specialty. The 3rd weekend in May the village of Monterosso hosts The Lemon Festival where revelers can expect samplings of the finest limoncino, lemon fragrant soaps and candles, and lemon desserts (gelato, of course), of the prestigious produce. A window decorating competition starring the yellow gem as well as an acclamation for the largest lemon in town are two components of the festival. The restaurants typically have festival menus as their tables spill into the live music and dancing on the walkways throughout the village leading to the large party in the main square.


Dancing in the main square

Italy has a resounding fame for the original food it has brought to the world, and the significant items are justly honored with festivals of their own. Primavera del Prosecco celebrates the Prosecco wine production region from March-June with a slew of villa getaway vacation packages inclusive of tours. Travelers to Italy can plan their trip to incorporate numerous possibilities of the events with a Risotto Festival in Sessame, a Polenta Festival in Avigliana, and a Chianti Wine Festival in Tuscany. The Sagra del Pesce, in Liguria is a classical festival honoring the patron saint of fishermen, San Fortunato. The port village fish is prepared in the largest frying pan in the world after a night of a religious ceremony with bonfires.


Sagra del Pesce, Largest Frying Pan

There are even meat filled deep fried olives (known as olive ascolane) currently being celebrated at the fried food festival, Fritto Misto. Pick me.


Art in Italy will never go unnoticed. Major festivals to pay homage are Festival dei Due Mondi, Festival of Two World's, a famous performing arts festival featuring opera, ballet, film and The Tuscan Sun Festival celebrating spectacular live music. Tomorrow, May 1, is Labor Day in Italy and is recognized as a public holiday, though tourists can expect large street festivals to celebrate, of course.



Summer in Cinque Terre

Spring has sprung, and the glory of Summer is quickly approaching, with the outdoor season officially here much celebration will ensue. Wrap up the Spring cleaning and get outside to party as the Italian's do!

Are there any local upcoming festivals you are looking forward to?

Pino Gelato's lemon gelato!

 

Labor Day in Italy

Primo, Happy Labor Day to all our American friends!

Hopefully you are enjoying the Holiday… but if you are working, well so are we!

I’m afraid we are a bit late for celebrating Labor Day with our Italian counterparts since it was on May 1^st.... Better late than never, isn’t it?

May 1^st or “Primo Maggio” is a national holiday in Italy, as well as in most European countries.
The celebration also known as “la Festa dei Lavoratori” originally began when farmers and seasonal workers took the day off, ate, drank, and danced together on the first day of May, forgetting — for a few hours — the long days of summertime hard work that awaited them.

Now, it is a day to celebrate workers, especially all of those who fought for rights like an eight-hour work day and safety regulations. In much of Europe it is synonymous with labor movements and demonstrations: left political parties traditionally hit the streets and protest their various causes. 

In Italy, the celebrations end with the big, free music concert held in Piazza San Giovanni in Rome, where the most important Italian singers and many foreign guest stars perform before a festive audience.
Since May 1 fell on a Thursday this year (2012), Italians made "il ponte" (the bridge) from the holiday to the Sunday for a nice loooooong weekend.

Should you find yourself in Italy for on May 1^st, expect public transport to be limited. Hotels and restaurants usually have less personnel and most museums are closed. So why not  go on an adventure off the beaten path for the day?