Folklore and events

• Fiera del Levante: this fair takes place in September. During this event there is a review called “Agrilevante”, an international meeting dedicated to agriculture, to gardening and zootechny, cars, motorcycles, ships and boats, and Ethnic items from Africa and Far East, such as jewels, hats and many other objects. This fair is considered as the biggest trade fair of Europe.
• Festa di S. Nicola: the town really loves its Patron. He is celebrated twice during the year with traditional rites. On 6^th December his birth and his death are celebrated. This day is also the day of all the unmarried women of the town. They go to the first mass in the morning, at 5.00 a.m. Then there is a famous traditional tour around a column called “miraculous column”; they pray to find a husband in the next year.  The traditional feast dedicated to the saint takes place on 7^th, 8^th and 9^th May when the town celebrates the arrival of the mortal remains of the saint, brought by sailors. On 28^th April the relics are brought in procession in the ancient part of the town. On 7^th May pilgrims arrive, they come particularly from Campania and Abruzzo. On 8^th May sailors celebrate and honour the saint on the sea: the saint is put on a boat and pilgrims can go there and pray. The most beautiful moment of these celebrations is the taking of the "manna" from the tomb: people go to the crypt and the Archbishop prays with them. The liquid is taken by the Rector and put in a glass ampoule. In the past pilgrims were given hospitality by the inhabitants of the ancient town that rented them the rooms. According to tradition, they all ate traditional dishes and foods, for example cuttlefish with potatoes. Another typical dish is made of mussels and provolone cheese.

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Written by Stefania Maffeo
Translation by Linda Liguori