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Matera

3 Stories - 130 Images - 3 Contributors
The Feast for Holy Maria S.S. della Bruna takes place on the 2nd of July in Matera. This year marks the 621st since its celebration began. Italy. 2nd July 2011

Our World

The Feast for Holy Maria S.S. della Bruna is celebrated - Matera

The Feast for Holy Maria S.S. della Bruna takes place on the 2nd of July in Matera. This year marks the 621st since its celebration began. Italy. 2nd...

by ROBERTO TARTAGLIONE in Italy on 02/07/2011

A living nativity scene was staged in the city of Matera in the area called 'Sassi'. Thousands of people attended the event to view the nativity performance and also the town which is on the UNESCO World heritage list. Matera, Italy. 29/12/2010

Our World

Nativity Scenes in Matera, Italy

A living nativity scene was staged in the city of Matera in the area called 'Sassi'. Thousands of people attended the event to view the...

by Antonio Tartaglione in Italy on 29/12/2010

An ancient ritual of fertility still takes place every year in the Basilicata region. The so-called Maggio, the marriage of the king and queen of the forest, unfolds over a few days every Pentecost in the village of Accettura. The first act of the ritual, the cutting of the king, takes place about 20km from the village, where an enormous tree is cut down, the top is sawn off and the tree is transported back to the village by oxen. It is accompanied by the men of the village, who stop every few miles to drink, dance, feast and be merry. A few days later, the queen is fetched from equally far away and brought to the village, carried on the backs of the men this time, with ceremonial drinking and festivity. Once both trees have been brought to the village, the queen, also called the cima or top, is hoisted on top of the truncated king. This union represents the marriage of the two principles of male and female, which gives birth in turn to the new life that springs forth in spring. Until the 1960s, animals used to be hoisted into the top of the trees as sacrifices to the powers of the forest. How exactly the locals reconciled this pagan sacrifice with the cult of Saint Julian (to whom the celebration is dedicated) and with the celebration of Pentecost remains a mystery. Curiously, these days the super-tree is also used for target practice, while few villagers will admit to attributing any magical powers to the giant totem. The tradition is still practiced, however, as it attracts scholars and tourists, giving the tiny area a place on the map of Italy.

Arts & Entertainment

"Maggio" of Accettura 2008 - Basilicata/Italy

An ancient ritual of fertility still takes place every year in the Basilicata region. The so-called Maggio, the marriage of the king and queen of the...

by Giovanni Marino in Italy on 10/05/2008

02/07/2011 - The Feast for Holy Maria S.S. della Bruna is celebrated - Matera - Italy - The Feast for Holy Maria S.S. della...
29/12/2010 - Nativity Scenes in Matera, Italy - Italy - A living nativity scene was staged in...
10/05/2008 - "Maggio" of Accettura 2008 - Basilicata/Italy - Italy - An ancient ritual of fertility still...

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The Feast for Holy Maria S.S. della Bruna is celebrated - Matera

Our World

The Feast for Holy Maria S.S. della Bruna is celebrated...

The Feast for Holy Maria S.S. della Bruna takes place on the 2nd of July in Matera. This year marks the 621st since its celebration began. Italy. 2nd July 2011
by ROBERTO TARTAGLIONE, on 2nd of July 2011
Nativity Scenes in Matera, Italy

Our World

Nativity Scenes in Matera, Italy

A living nativity scene was staged in the city of Matera in the area called 'Sassi'. Thousands of people attended the event to view the nativity performance and also the town ...
by Antonio Tartaglione, on 29th of December 2010
"Maggio" of Accettura 2008 - Basilicata/Italy

Arts & Entertainment

"Maggio" of Accettura 2008 - Basilicata/Italy

An ancient ritual of fertility still takes place every year in the Basilicata region. The so-called Maggio, the marriage of the king and queen of the forest, unfolds over a few days eve...
by Giovanni Marino, on 10th of May 2008

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