St. Agatha Festival

February 7, 2010

Candles, fireworks, crowded streets, balloons, intense devotion, stamina, horsemeat sandwiches, sweets of all kinds including the symbolic breast cakes, a city transformed into another time and place. The St. Agatha Festival was amazing. Still sorting through all of the sensory experiences and photographs from the night.

After just a few hours, we were exhausted. I have no idea how the devotees do it for multiple days and nights, but they do. Karen from Lost in Sicily has a beautiful post about their experience a few years ago when they did the full festival. We are already looking forward to next year and hoping to make it to sunrise on the last day when the St. Agatha procession stops in front of a cloistered convent. The nuns make a rare public appearance and sing to St. Agatha. Sicily continues to work her magic on us. One memorable experience after another. "Viva St. Agata"!
Theresa said...

Really cool!

Unknown said...

Sounds like you had an amazing experience!

Francesca said...

What an experience. I still can't believe that I've never heard of it up north. Apparently it's also a big celebration in the Basque country, as I learned from a blogger there.

Karen (South of Rome) said...

Fantastic. Just curiuos, what lens are you using? That's a nice wide shot with the fireworks.

Juniper said...

Wonderful photos! I love that the cloistered nuns come to sing to the statue. Breast cakes you say- oh how funny!?? I am fearing she died in some horrific way I guess.

Laurie said...

Awesome photos...what an incredible experience!

Nadia and Bekah said...

I've always wanted to make to the end to hear the nuns sing in the convent, but I have never been able to stay up long enough! I guess I'll need to hear about it from you next year. Don't you just love how they add a candied cherry on top of the cassatine (boob-cake)...

Sue said...

Beautiful photos of an amazing festival! I haven't commented in a long time, but I have really been enjoying all of your posts about your life in Italy - thanks for sharing with those of us who dream of getting there one day.

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