FEASTS AND FESTIVALS
Romagna offers a crowded calendar of feasts and festivals celebrating the precious products of the land and a world which still survives despite the passing of time.
Along with the truffle festival or the traditional collection of salt, there are also historical re-enacments, sand castles or kites whirling up in the sky. You can spend the day in an ancient village or in an old mill, savouring past flavours and enjoying the taste of history.
MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL OF BRISIGHELLA - BRISIGHELLA (FC)
Every year the Middle Ages reappear in the small village of Brisighella. From the end of June to the first week in July you can become the protagonists of medieval history, taste the typical flavours of the period and pay with the money of the time. Shows and performances along the streets and artists wearing the traditional costumes manage to create a charming atmosphere.
SALUDECIO 800 FESTIVAL - SALUDECIO (RN)
It’s an appointment which can’t be missed, and takes place every year on the hills around Rimini. The narrow streets of this small town which stands on a hill are livened up by fortune-tellers, wizards, jugglers and ladies from the 19th century. The restaurants and small inns of the town welcome those who are curious to taste the typical dishes of the time. Minstrels, poets and actors all contribute to a unique and unmissable event … go to the website
THE NIGHT OF THE WITCHES - SAN GIOVANNI IN MARIGNANO (RN)
Saint John’s night, i.e. the night between 23rd and 24th June, is universally considered as the Night of the Witches, who used to meet in this precise astral period to practice their magic. There were several ways to prevent their evil influence. One was to place a broomstick behind the front door before going to bed, so that the witches would see it and run away. In fact they are said to be afraid of broomsticks because, if they see one, they are forced to count all its twigs. This way they waste their time counting the twigs and cannot harm anyone because, being scared of daylight, when dawn breaks they have to escape.
INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL - CERVIA
From 25th April till 4th May 2008 the public beach in Cervia presents a prestigious event: the 28th International Kite Festival. The theme of this year’s edition is ‘the art between sky and sea’. It represents an excellent occasion to discover the creativity and imagination of the artists presenting their kites, and offers a variety of other entertaining activities, an exhibition area and a small market along the promenade, with 20 different operators and a wide range of products including toys, kites, foodstuffs and handicrafts.
THE SEA WEDDING - CERVIA
The ‘Sea Wedding’ is one of the oldest historical re-enacments in Italy. Tradition dates it back to 1445, during the century of Venetian rule, when Pietro Barbo – who was to become Pope Paul II – was the bishop of Cervia. Cervia simbolically “gets married” to its sea; the town celebrates and expresses its gratitude to the High Adriatic for the rich gifts it has always offerred: the fish and the salt which has transformed Cervia into a world-famous town.
ST. LAWRENCE’S FEAST - CERVIA
Every 10th August Cervia celebrates St. Lawrence’s day, which is a very important feast for the local people. According to a tradition dating back to the 19th century, taking a bathe in the sea on this date grants protection agaist all kinds of illnesses. The event is livened up by a game of Bingo in the main square and, in the evening of the shooting stars, a firework display takes place on Cervia’s “public beach”.
THE STORING OF SALT - CERVIA
During the first week in September a re-enacment of the ancient ‘storing of salt’ takes place in Cervia, recalling the times when – at the end of summer – the salt collected in the salt pans was taken to the historic Storehouses. Salt – which once represented a strategic resource, being an essential element both for the diet of humans and animals and for the preservation of food – is at the centre of a crowded calendar of cultural, entertaining and historical events, which are organized with the cooperation of the ‘Salt Civilization Cultural Association’ and of the ‘Park of Cervia Salt Pans’. The event is livened up by a food stand and other stalls exposing or selling food, toys, handicrafts and natural products. The newly restored ‘Museum of Salt Civilization’ is also open to visitors.
GARIBALDI’S FESTIVAL - CESENATICO
Cesenatico is strongly connected with the figure of Garibaldi, and every year during the first week in August the town celebrates ‘the Hero of the Two Worlds’ with a variety of shows and events including: a parade of the main quarters of Cesenatico; a ‘Palio della Cuccagna’ (greasy pole contest); a procession of Authorities and Garibaldi supporters; a boat excursion during which a wreath is thrown to sea; and a firework display.
FLOATING NATIVITY SCENE - CESENATICO
It represents an important cultural event which attracts numerous visitors. The boats of the Marine Museum house a nativity scene featuring life-sized statues which represent the typical characters of a fishing village. This famous nativity scene can normally be admired from the beginning of December till the 6th January. A prestigious photo contest has also been organized in the last few years.
