Did you have the opportunity to visit Florence, the pearl of Italy, at the beginning of September? Then you will probably see a lot of people on the city streets walking with paper lanterns with candles burning inside.
No, this is not another public action against the authorities’ decision and not a desire to save on electricity. Everything is much more joyful and soulful - the time has come for the Lantern Festival, which takes place from September 6 to 7. Want to know more about this day? Then join our company.
The annual Lantern Festival, or Festa della Rificolona, in Florence is usually celebrated on the eve of the birthday of the Mother of God, very revered in Italy, guided by the liturgical calendar.
Where did such an unusual tradition of greeting the birth of the Mother of God with lights “in skirts” come from? History has at least 3 versions of the origin of such a warm and sincere ritual. According to the first, Florentine townspeople of the early 17th century called “lanterns” peasant women who, in honor of the holiday, came to the city market and put on excessively magnificent outfits. They say that in memory of the day that united the classes, such a romantic name was given to the general festivities.
Another explanation for the origin of the holiday lies in the same peasants. They say, getting ready for the main fair of the year and also an important religious event, they set off from their villages on a long journey very early. In order not to stray from the cherished path towards the city, they lit the way with candles, protected from the destructive wind by paper caps.
Another possible interpretation of the appearance of a spectacular performance lies in a historical event. In 1555, Florentine troops entered Siena victoriously after a difficult battle. According to legend, the lanterns raised on the peaks illuminated the way for the triumphants.
Be that as it may, the popularity of the autumn spectacular event among tourists is only gaining momentum. Eyewitnesses claim that the night from September 6 to 7 is the only time when Florence, woven from luxurious palaces, majestic temples, and a mass of museums, shows its true face. I must admit, it is no less attractive, rich in soul and different in scale, if you close your eyes to the cultural background of the city.
As before, the city’s favorite fair takes place the day before in Florence. Paying tribute to traditions, it is impossible to imagine it without songs, musical accompaniment, and theatrical performances. Anyone who finds themselves in the atmosphere of a general holiday will not regret it at all: before the colorful evening procession with lanterns, there is something to see here!
The climax of the event is the onset of darkness, when the whole of Florence is illuminated by thousands of multi-colored lanterns with candles on long poles, merging into a single procession led by the cardinal. This unique demonstration has its own clearly marked route from year to year, starting from the Basilica of Santa Croce and reaching the finale in the center of Piazza Santissima Annuciata. Every local resident strives to join the procession, because according to legend, walking with flames can cleanse people’s souls of past sins and “charge” them with hope for a bright future.
With the arrival of a new day, the fun does not come to an end, but continues in numerous new fairs and.
If you were inspired by such a bright celebration, but this year you didn’t have time for the “light” event in Florence, there are a number of countries in the world with holidays where lanterns play an important role:
Germany
In November, when nature catches up, the country hosts the long-awaited and cheerful St. Martin's Day. Its obligatory component is the Laternenumzug lantern festival. Children especially look forward to this event, creating and painting all kinds of lamps with their own hands and filling the city streets with them. After thematic performances, it is customary to sit down at the festive table.
Japan
Kanto Matsuri, the Lantern Festival, is one of the most spectacular and joyful events in the northeast, celebrated in August. The meaning of the celebration is hidden in centuries when peasants prayed for prosperity by constructing bamboo structures topped with a large number of lanterns (Kanto). One structure, raised as high as possible, is like one sprouted grain of rice, so the streets are flooded with a mass of such devices.
China
For February, it is a month with a sparkle, which is celebrated everywhere. The holiday is the final one in a string of long New Year holidays, and it is based on a beautiful legend. According to it, the souls of the deceased descend to earth in the desire to celebrate the main event of the year with loved ones. Myriads of lanterns light their way when the time comes to return back to heaven. For them, the Lantern Festival is akin to February 14 for Europeans, and means the day of unity of souls.
Another option to celebrate your Lantern Day if you can’t go anywhere is to organize home gatherings over a cup of tea under the light of a collectively created lamp with a candle inside. Regardless of geography, lanterns always mean warmth, comfort, and happiness. Let the little flame light up the soul of everyone who sees it.
Historical lantern festival(Festa della Rificolona) takes place in Florence every year on September 6–7. These numbers correspond to the eve of the birthday of the Mother of God.
The holiday dates back to the 17th century. Then it was customary for residents of surrounding towns and villages to come to Florence on the birthday of the Virgin Mary, who was always highly revered in Italy. People liked to celebrate this date in Florence's Piazza di Annunciation, dedicated to Our Lady. At the same time, the peasants tried to combine business with pleasure - not only to take part in the celebrations, but also to sell their goods profitably. Therefore, the eve of the birth of the Virgin Mary gradually turned into one of the most important city fairs.
Florence these days was flooded with crowds of peasant women, dressed up for the occasion in their best dresses. City dwellers, who believed that the village women dressed excessively, called them “lanterns” - Rificolona.
In memory of those times, today on the night of September 6-7 - after the traditional fair - a crowded procession with colorful paper lanterns in which candles are burning passes through the city. The procession, led by the cardinal, begins at the Basilica of Santa Croce and ends at Piazza Santissima Annuciata.
According to another version, the tradition originates from the triumphal entry of Florentine troops into Siena. This happened in 1555. The victorious warriors entered the captured city, lighting their way with lamps raised on peaks.
Be that as it may, the autumn lantern festival in Florence is very popular among tourists. They say that these days the museum city comes to life and shows its real face to guests.
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Paper lanterns are popular not only in China and Japan. In Italy, the capital of Tuscany also holds a similar festival. In Florence, it is dedicated to the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady and is held immediately after the annual agricultural fair.
Just like three hundred years ago. In the 17th century, at the beginning of September, residents of surrounding villages and small towns gathered in Florence for a church holiday, bringing to the local market everything that they grew, collected, prepared and made. Girls and women wore their best clothes, so bright and frilly that local wits nicknamed them Rificolona, “lanterns.” This word can also be translated as overdressed. Moving through the streets of Florence at dusk, peasants lit their way with paper lanterns attached to a long stick. Electricity replaced candles, Florentines became less critical of the clothing of residents of other cities, and the tradition of celebrating the feast of the Virgin Mary with paper lanterns remained.
The Florence Lantern Festival in September takes place on the night of 7-8 September after the agricultural fair. The main event is a festive costume procession, which begins near the Basilica of Santa Croce and ends in Piazza Santissima Annuziata. During the procession, the main source of light is only paper lanterns. After its completion, the lanterns are launched into the sky.
Lanterns in honor of Our Lady
The colorful September festival in Florence reveals the city in a new light to the traveler. When you have just a paper-wrapped candle in your hand, time itself stops. It seems as if you were transported three centuries ago, to a time when many things in this city were different. The magic of light and shadow, the play of colors and emotions - that’s why Florentines, and of course tourists, love this holiday so much.
But you will remember this festival not only for the procession with lanterns and church chants. On this night you can:
- Take part in various competitions;
- Try all kinds of Tuscan cuisine;
- Before that, visit a real fair, as abundant and colorful as it was three hundred years ago
If you want to take part in the solemn procession, you should find a good guide and book a hotel in the city in advance. will help you attend the lantern festival, visit all the memorable places worthy of your attention, and visit other cities. By the way, you can always buy paper lanterns in advance at the nearest souvenir shop. Or do it yourself. The festival in Florence is a great start to a pleasant holiday in Italy.
Your guide to Florence
Slavomir Lazarov
On September 6, the annual lantern festival begins in Florence, which has become a favorite event of citizens and tourists. We decided to talk about the largest events in the world related to the launch of lanterns.
Florence, Italy
The annual ancient lantern festival takes place in Florence on September 6-7, very solemnly and brightly. The streets of the city are filled with smartly dressed citizens and tourists, all holding long sticks with colorful lanterns attached to them. The procession is led by a cardinal and is accompanied by the singing of ancient songs, usually performed by children. Those present no longer wonder where this beautiful holiday came from. According to one version, on this day the peasants were in a hurry to the annual fair, and in order to get better seats, they left the house in the dark, lighting their way with candles, covering them from the rain and wind with a cap. According to another legend, during the autumn fair, the city squares were filled with overly sumptuously dressed peasant women, who were called “lanterns.” Which version is the most truthful no longer matters. The important thing is that Florence really comes alive these days and shows tourists all its best sides.
Germany
In late autumn, in November, when nature falls asleep and everything seems very dull, a cheerful and cheerful St. Martin's Day takes place in Germany, which is accompanied by an extraordinary spectacle - the Laternenumzug lantern festival. The streets of the city are filled with glowing streams of children with colorful lanterns of various colors and shapes. Children are really looking forward to this holiday and begin to prepare for it long ago: they make lanterns and paint them. Often the lanterns are decorated with figures of horsemen and geese, reminiscent of the pages of the life of St. Martin. Everyone knows the legend that when Martin wanted to avoid the bishopric, he hid in the poultry house, but the geese helped him find him. The children also act out the most famous scene from Martin's life, when he cuts his cloak to give half to a beggar. After the performance, a festive table awaits the children.
China
Since the eleventh century, the Lantern Festival has been celebrated everywhere in China. This event takes place in February, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. This holiday completes a series of celebrations marking the New Year. According to a beautiful ancient legend, on New Year's Day the souls of the dead visit the earth to celebrate the holiday with their beloved relatives. And then they return home, and millions of lanterns illuminate their way back. For the Chinese, this holiday is akin to the European Valentine's Day - a holiday of love and unity of souls. On this day, they prepare “yuanxiao” - sticky rice balls with candied fruits, symbolizing love and friendship in the family.
Japan
Every year in August, perhaps the most spectacular and fun Kanto Matsuri lantern festival is celebrated in northeastern Japan. The tradition of celebrating it dates back to the eighteenth century, from the Edo era. The peasants prayed for health and a good harvest, while constructing a structure of bamboo branches with numerous lanterns - Kanto. Each such design symbolized a sprouted rice sprout. Nowadays, during the celebration, many Kanto are taken to the streets of the city, trying to raise them higher. Men climb on each other's shoulders and create real living pyramids, holding structures made from lanterns in their hands. Moreover, such a construction from Kanto sometimes weighs about fifty kilograms and has a height of twelve meters, it is not for nothing that these acrobatic stunts cause such delight. Up to three hundred large poles are usually brought out for the holiday, but it is not possible to count the small ones.