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Festivities in Umbria:
religious and popular traditions, contemporary cultural events
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Glancing at the calendar of events
animating the towns of Umbria during the year, one is immediately
struck by the number and variety of traditional events along
with the most diverse expression of contemporary creativity.
There are plenty of reasons to celebrate: for the local communities,
each event is a much anticipated occasion for confirming their
roots and identity; for the tourist, it becomes an opportunity
to participate in the most genuine and heartfelt expressions
of Umbrian culture and folklore.
The typical local products are the focal point of festivals
tied to great culinary traditions: black and white truffles,
chocolate, and fine wines, to name but a few.
One breathes the exciting, spectacular atmosphere of once-upon-a-time
in the events connected with the seasons of nature or religious
celebrations, such as those in honor of St. Francis and St.
Rita, the Festival of the Palombella in Orvieto, and the Corpus
Christi Floral Decorations in Spello. These are not just commemorations;
they are grand events in which collective involvement and passion
give authentic vitality to rites of pagan origin mixed with
old Christian devotions, to the chivalrous challenges of medieval
times, or to the propitiatory ceremonies of rural life. The
arrival of spring is welcomed in the Calendimaggio in Assisi,
and summer is celebrated in the Water Festival in Piediluco.
Patron saints are honoured with thrilling, centuries-old festivities
steeped in religious devotion and medieval mysticism, such as
the Ceri Festival in Gubbio, the Ring Race in Narni, and the
Benedictine Celebrations in Norcia, while the St.Valentine’s
Day celebration is tied to an event from the earliest days of
Christianity. The bowmen of Gubbio have been competing in the
Crossbow Palio since the 15th century, while the challenge among
the Terzieri of Città della Pieve is from Renaissance
times and the contest between the knights of Foligno in the
Quintana Tournament goes back to the 1600s.
The vivacity and originality of contemporary culture has been
grafted into this fertile land where a love of celebrations
has converged with deep-rooted popular traditions and with refined
urban society. The Umbrians’ age-old passion for festivities
and entertainment has thus transformed the region into a fascinating
stage for musical, theatrical, and film events, festivals, competitions
and exhibitions.
Internationally prestigious events include the Spoleto Festival,
Umbria Jazz in Perugia, Terni and Orvieto, the Umbrian Festival
of Sacred Music in Perugia, and the Chamber Music Festival of
the Nations in Città di Castello, alongside other events
of great quality and renown such as the Todiarte Festival, the
Gubbio Festival and the Classical Plays plays at the Roman theatre
in Gubbio, Baroque Traces in Foligno, and many others.
This calendar presents, in chronological order, the popular
festivals, fairs, and art and cultural exhibitions and performances
chosen for their national or international importance, their
historical significance or their spectacularity. Information
on all special occasions taking place in Umbria during the year
may be requested at the Servizi Turistici Territoriali –
IAT (Area Tourist Services). |
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AUTUMN EVENTS
(Trevi)
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Established in 1980, the Palio dei
Terzieri commemorates the tenacity and ardour with which the
youth of Trevi rebuilt their town after it was destroyed in
1214. Competing for each “Terziere” are twenty young
men, who take turns pushing a heavy wagon in a race against
the clock, from Porta Nuova to Piazza del Comune. The Saturday
evening before the Palio there is a suggestive historical procession,
followed by a lively atmosphere of medieval life which is recreated
until late at night in the streets, squares, courtyards and
shops. Another autumn event to be remembered is the festival
of the Black Celery, a speciality exclusive to Trevi. |
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CELEBRATIONS IN HONOR OF
ST. FRANCIS
(Assisi)
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The national celebrations in honor
of St. Francis, patron saint of Italy, take place among solemn
liturgical ceremonies in the basilicas of St. Francis and of
S. Maria degli Angeli. There will also be public events, with
the participation of national government representatives along
with regional, provincial and municipal authorities from the
region which offers, in representation of all the regions of
Italy, the oil for the votive lamp that burns before the tomb
of the Patron Saint. Other related events include performances
of the dances and popular songs from the offering region. |
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EUROCHOCOLATE
(Perugia)
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A great event dedicated to the lovers
of the Food of the Gods, which every year transforms the town
of Perugia into a lively confectioner’s shop. Amateur and
semi-professional workshops, tastings, exhibitions and other
events are held at the Teatro del Golosi (Sweet Tooth Theatre),
the International Chocolate Gallery and the Piazza del Bacio
(Chocolate Kiss Square). This is a unique, varied festival,
with some events also being held in nearby towns, and which
features the biggest names in Italian and international confectionery
making. |
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THE CITY OF PERUGIA ANTIQUE
TRADE FAIR
(Perugia)
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Inaugurated in 1987, it hosts some
of the most talented and sophisticated Italian and European
dealers in antiques. Precious jewels, rare silver, elegant painting,
antique furniture, bronzes, tapestries, carpets and curiosities
of the highest artistic quality are exhibited here. |
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TRADE FAIR OF THE TRUFFLE
AND WOODLAND PRODUCTS
(Città di Castello)
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The event is due to be held in the
historic town centre to celebrate the white truffle or “Trifola”
(Tuber Magnatum Pico), one of the most sought-after species,
which grows in fair quantities in the Upper Tiber Valley.
The white truffle is valued on many accounts, its intense and
absolutely unique aroma, its size and shape which should be
as even and rounded as possible, its peerless flavour which
is best brought out when served uncooked, since it requires
neither sauces nor dressing. The many stands in the fair also
display other woodland delicacies besides the truffle, such
as mushrooms, chestnuts, honey, wild-berry jams and also oil,
wine and cheeses. |
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TASTING OF ITALIAN WINES
(Torgiano)
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This competition, established in
1981 and which by now drawn considerable attention for its professionalism
and organizational excellence, is aimed at promoting, both nationally
and internationally, wine from Umbria as a typical product of
quality.
This important competition uses the evaluation method of the
Union Internationale des Oenologues, an agency that groups together
the various organizations from the principal wine-producing
countries. Thus it is a moment of attentive judgment of the
best wines, a banner of “made in Italy” quality.
Another enjoyable event to be remembered is the “Vinarelli”:
a pleasant custom of spending time together amidst sumptuously
laid tables, glasses of wine, and paper and colors, to paint,
exchange ideas and enjoy oneself among people interested in
the world of art and, naturally, of wine. |
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CHRISTMAS IN UMBRIA
(Umbria)
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At Christmas-tide solemn rites are
celebrated in the churches of Assisi. Concerts of church music
and choirs are held in all the places of worship.
There are many artistic crèches of great beauty to be
enjoyed, and also living crèches which are enacted in
many towns: at Petrignano and Rocca Sant’angelo (Assisi),
Attigliano, Giove and Lugnano in Teverina (Amelia), Scanzano
and Marcellano (Foligno), Monteleone d’Orvieto, Calvi (Terni),
Perugia, Volterrano (Città di Castello) and Città
della Pieve (Trasimeno).
Very spectacular and charming indeed are the Christmas Tree
of Gubbio (the largest in the world) and the Comet of Miranda
(Terni). |
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UMBRIA JAZZ WINTER
(Orvieto)
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Since 1993 Umbria Jazz has been offering
this winter festival, with concerts being held in the 19th –
century Luigi Mancinelli Theatre, the halls of the Emilio Greco
Museum, the 14th – century Palazzo Soliano, the Hall of
the Quattrocento in the Palazzo del Popolo, and the Palazzo
dei Sette. True to its own formula, Umbria Jazz Winter offers
concerts from noon till late at night, in the atmosphere of
a spectacular New Year’s party, with a great feast on New
Year’s Eve. The New Year’s Day gospel concert is held
in the magnificent Cathedral. |
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SAINT VALENTINE’S DAY.
A YEAR OF LOVING
(Terni)
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This event, first held in 1989, awards
a yearly prize in recognition of a special act of love.
Past awards include those assigned to Mr. And Mrs. Green, to
the memory of Premier Rabin of Israel, and to the Italian association
“Telefono Azzurro”.
Included as part of this event are an exhibition of jewelry
and a competition for the loveliest jewel created for Saint
Valentine’s Day. |
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FAIR OF THE PRIZED NORCIA
BLACK TRUFFLE AND OF THE TYPICAL SPECIALITIES FROM THE VALNERINA
(Norcia)
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This is an agricultural / food products
fair which since the 1950s has promoted the gastronomic specialities
of the Valnerina, and in particular the prized black truffle
from Norcia, as well as sausages and salamis, cheeses, Castelluccio
lentils, spelt, and wild berries. The exhibition area also includes
crafts, farming implements, and typical national food products,
and in 1993 it was expanded to include ixhibitors from various
European and non-European countries. Folkloristic entertainment,
national conventions, shows and sports competitions are all
centred around the theme of the truffle. |
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