Today we shall miss the public holiday in Varese.
It is Ferragosto, and the family will be gathering this year in Virginia’s garden.
But of course we are still here in that post legacy lockdown mode.
Every year I get told the purpose of the event, and every year it quickly gets lost in the general party atmosphere.
It’s origins go back to the emperor Augustus, who made August 1st a day of rest, and according to one source it became the custom for workers to wish their employers “buon ferragosto”.*
Later the Catholic Church moved it to August 15th to coincide with the feast day of the Assumption of Mary.
And in the 1920s Mussolini exploited the day to promote fascism, organizing popular trips through fascist leisure and recreational organisations.
But the family won’t be thinking of those dark days, instead there will be food, lots of laughter, and the promise of a warm sunny day.
Tina remembers picnics and big family gatherings.
Sadly we will have to celebrate from afar in the garden here in Chorlton.
But we have done the aubergines and have a picture of Augustus to remember where it all started.
Added to which there is some very nice wine, gently cooling in the fridge and the promise of some soft drinks, because it would never do to over indulge too early on what looks to be another hot day.
Location; Varese, and Chorlton
Pictures; the emperor Augustus, 2008, Rosa’s aubergines, 2017, and a picnic by the lake 2009.
* Ferragosto, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferragosto
 |
| By Lake Ghirla, 2009 |
But of course we are still here in that post legacy lockdown mode.
Every year I get told the purpose of the event, and every year it quickly gets lost in the general party atmosphere.
It’s origins go back to the emperor Augustus, who made August 1st a day of rest, and according to one source it became the custom for workers to wish their employers “buon ferragosto”.*
Later the Catholic Church moved it to August 15th to coincide with the feast day of the Assumption of Mary.
 |
| Augustus, Rome, 2008 |
And in the 1920s Mussolini exploited the day to promote fascism, organizing popular trips through fascist leisure and recreational organisations.
 |
| Rosa's Aubergines, Varese, 2017 |
Tina remembers picnics and big family gatherings.
Sadly we will have to celebrate from afar in the garden here in Chorlton.
But we have done the aubergines and have a picture of Augustus to remember where it all started.
 |
| Chino, Naples, 2017 |
Location; Varese, and Chorlton
Pictures; the emperor Augustus, 2008, Rosa’s aubergines, 2017, and a picnic by the lake 2009.
* Ferragosto, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferragosto
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