Ferragosto

Ferragosto - holiday timeA very interesting holiday is celebrated by Italians on August 15 – the Assumption of the Virgin or Ascension (Assunzione), which ends the season of great summer works. In the rites of this day, elements of Christianity and paganism merged.

The second name of this holiday is Ferragosto. The origin of this name is as follows: the ancient Roman inhabitants solemnly celebrated the end of the harvest with the feast of consuals, dedicated to the ancient Italian god of land and crops - Consus. In pre-Imperial Rome, when the year began in March and consisted of 10 months (January and February were absent), consualties were held in the 6th month.

In 27 B.C., the Roman senate named Caesar Octavian Augustus, and soon one of the tribunes suggested that the 6th month of August be named after the emperor.

Consulates celebrated by exchanging gifts and wishes and uttering the sacramental phrase: “Good consular feasts!” (Bonas ferias consuales!). Under Augustus, the holidays were renamed in August. The sacramental phrase also changed, and they began to say: “Good August holidays!” (Bonas ferias augustales). And then it turned into a short “Buon Ferragosto!”

The emperor generously gave the people during the celebrations and squandered favors to the patricians.

In modern Italy, young people celebrate August 15, lighting a fire on the beach and arranging gatherings for the night. It's the same salute.

For the time of Ferragosto, Italy seems to be dying out, leaving only tourists in the cities. Factories and production are closed, locals usually take vacations and go to the sea or to the mountains.