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A FESTIVAL VOYAGE
[ Cod. 03 IT ]
The Matera Sassi a noteworthy occasion
and the most intense time of the year: the Madonna della
Bruna Festival.
Duration: from 29 june to 2 july
(4 dd. 4 nn.)
Special Offer for small groups (max. 15
people)
The civilization of a population is also measured
through the roots of its religious ceremonies and of the
folkloric customs, especially when these are tied to spiritual
and devotional rites of an ancient origin, as is the case
with the “festa della Bruna” in Matera.
“The Bruna is the expectation, the sigh, the dream
of the whole year; the arrival of the Bruna leaves no other
desire; once it’s passed, nothing else remains but
the wish to see it next year. She arrives with the celebration
of the harvest, she has protected the crops and blessed
the panicles. The population expresses its immense gratitude
for her coronating a hard year’s labour with the harvest.”
(from the impressions gathered by a journalist from Bergamo,
published in the Emporium n.74, of February in 1901).
29 june
- Arrival and get situated in B&B;
after visiting the Sassi
and the historic centre,
we have lunch in a typical local restaurant.
The day of San Pietro and Paolo is important in the preparation
for the festival.
The Materan people, in fact, have always participated
in the ceremony of benediction of the Triumphal
Papier-mâché Float (Carro Trionfale
di Cartapesta).
In the evening one can lose one-self amongst the hundreds
of market stalls and assist in putting up the lights lining
the route that the float will take the 2nd.of July.
30 june
- Breakfast and departure for a day of
relaxation on a quiet beach on the Metaponto coast. Returning
by the old road that connected Matera to the sea, we will
take the opportunity to make a short stop in the nearby
town of Montescaglioso, the lovely site of the most important
Benedictine Monastery in the Region.
- In the evening you are free to wander
in the piazzas and streets of Matera, where you can listen
to live traditional band music, eat ice-cream in the cafés
and shop at the market stalls.
1 july
- The morning will be spent in the historic
centre assisting in the ceremonies of the vigil of the
Festival. Around ten horses and pyrotechnic fires will
animate the Duomo Piazza among hundreds of people.
- Lunch at an Osteria. Afternoon free.
2 july
- This is the most intense day of your
stay.
Beginning at dawn, with the involving “procession
of the shepherds” that leaves the Cathedral and
runs through the whole city, you will be introduced to
the secrets of this religious festival full of pagan elements
and practices, of particular interest for example, is
the assault on the papier-mâché Float or
Carro, and around midnight, the spectacular fire-works
show put on, which surely will be one of the most moving
kind you’ve ever seen.
This will be an unforgettable day…
- For lunch, you can try some traditional
local baked pasta that the Materan people make especially
for the occasion.
3 july - Breakfast and departure
The package includes:
- Accommodation at a B&B in the
Sassi, in a double room, breakfast included.
Alternative accommodations: an Old convent converted into
a house (on three levels) or an Agriturism.
- Three HB’s and one BB.
- Service of a tour guide for the
length of your stay
- Transfer by mini-bus to and from
airport
Not included:
- Insurance, drinks with meals, entrance
fees to museums, tips, personal extras and anything else
not specified.
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