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The traditions of the past help shape who we are today, which is why there are ancient village celebrations that still play an important role in popular culture. For example, one of the most solemn moments in life from the community of Ischia is the Feast of St. Anne which takes place annually on July 26. After being halted due to Covid, the event resumed its normal course from 2022, with the date set, however, at July 28 for the year 2023.
The Feast of St. Anne has endured in Ischia for nearly a century, overcoming pandemics, earthquakes and all kinds of difficulties. For 2023, too, the festivity will be held according to archaic rituals that, apart from a few minor changes, are inexorably repeated.
The history of the festival
The origin of the Feast of St. Anne is due to the fact that every July 26 pregnant women of Ischia moved in procession with the effigy of St. Anne's which was displayed in a chapel in Cartaromana Bay. Accompanying the mothers-to-be was a procession of boats that were adorned with flowers and plants.
In 1932 a group of friends noticed this custom of women gathering on this day, whose religious ritual was accompanied by a rich dinner of rabbit and other typical Ischitan recipes.
So these guys came up with the idea of celebrating that tradition with the Feast of St. Anne, which would provide an opportunity to celebrate the patron saint of childbirth and still have the boats in procession.
The event was then enhanced with the addition of a light show on the hills of Soronzano and Campagnano. In the past, oil lamps were used, now replaced by fireworks. The Feast of St. Anne is held in front of the Aragonese Castle of Ischia, in a truly enchanted setting.
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How the Feast of St. Anne takes place
A lot has changed since 1932, but the Feast of St. Anne still manages to unite the Ischian community, preserving its authentic character and local folklore that make it unique. The boats that paraded in the procession have been replaced by real floating floats competing with each other to determine the winner.
These floats each tell a story related to a different theme for each edition, and boats from associations and pro-loco on the island take part in the procession. They are built by local carpenters, joiners and artists who work hard to build the most beautiful and spectacular float. The festival begins at 9 p.m. on July 26, and one of the most striking moments is the burning of the Aragonese Castle. Finally, there will be fireworks to end the evening.
With the Feast of St. Anne, fun is guaranteed, and between religious rites and float competitions, this is still a must-attend event for many Ischitans.
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