State and national holidays in Italy

If you ask any person what he knows about Italy, the first likely to be a mention of the unusual shape of the peninsula in the form of a boot. Then remember loud conversations with gesticulation. And of course, bright actors from the movie "The Taming of the Shrew". And what do you know about Italy you?

Holidays in Italy

Italy is not just a country of hot sun, siesta and bright unusual people. This is the birthplace of many talented people: Dante, Verdi, Visconti, Bellucci, Armani. Italians are people who can turn every day into a big event.

There is a law that in each region there should be a certain number of national, state, regional and city holidays. The number of days off can not exceed fourteen calendar days, of which nine are state, and only two are regional.

Despite such a framework, holidays are held daily in every city, town or village. The Italians are faithful Catholics and honor the days of the memory of all the saints. At this time, small processions can be seen on the streets, in the middle of which a stretcher with the relics of the revered saint must be carried.

All-national events

Although the Italians like big and noisy companies, the national holidays of Italy are only a few days a year. These days are officially declared days off. Throughout the country can hear the noise and din, and mass celebrations in the central squares give an unforgettable impression.

What holidays in Italy are called national?

• New Year (celebrated from December 31 to January 1);
• Theophany (6 January);
• Easter (the date changes every year);
• Easter Monday;
• Christmas (December 25);
• All Saints' Day (November 1).

Official solemn days

A rich historical past formed a number of days, which every Italian is obliged to note. Public holidays in Italy are celebrated on a grand scale, remembering the names of those who are directly related to them.

• Day of liberation from fascist troops (April 25).
• Labor Day (May 1).
• Day of the Italian Republic (June 2).

How do celebrate New Year's holidays in Italy?

Celebrating the New Year, the inhabitants of Italy begin on December 31. As expected, this evening tables are bursting with all kinds of dishes, and the houses are full of enthusiasm and fun. New Year for Italians - a mass celebration, which must be held in a large company.

New Year's Day is a weekend. All drinking establishments, shops, state institutions are closed. Do not be surprised by the large number of people on the streets. Carnivals, fun games and competitions are held directly in squares and streets.

January 6, Christmas, the Italians celebrate the Epiphany. Zealous Catholics, residents of the country demonstrate sketches from the Bible. Such miniatures tell how the little Jesus appeared. The patroness of this holiday and his protector is the witch of Befan or Stefan. She brings small memorable gifts, reminding that the kings who came to visit Jesus presented him with gifts.

New Year's holidays in Italy are celebrated on a grand scale. Fun, noisy companies and a lot of positive emotions should set the tone for the whole new year.

Unusual days

In addition to all known days, each nation has a lot of holidays, speaking of its originality and primordially local activities related to agriculture, folk crafts that have helped people survive for more than a century.

So, the locals can boast of a Holiday of young wine. In Italy, it is celebrated in early November. Only after this day and till the end of December winemakers can offer wines of a new crop to the judges of a fine drink.

The official date for the opening of the new wine tasting season is November 11. Wine saved, or St. Martin's Day. Since that moment, everyone can taste wine in small cellars-restaurants.

A young wine, or Novello - a dry red wine with berry notes, which is produced from the grapes of the Cabernet, Sauvignon and Merlot varieties, becomes the main attraction in the Holiday of the young wine in Italy. Its worth a try!

What is special about solemn days in Italy?

Many holidays in Italy have become a world heritage. If in the Middle Ages these days were known only at the level of the region, the maximum of the country, then tourists from all over the world come to admire the unusual action today.

Siena Racing

Celebrate this interesting event twice a year - July 2 and August 16. In the historic town called Siena in the central square, horse racing without harnesses is arranged. Ten riders out of ten contests with historical names (Eagle, Snail, Dragon, Forest, etc.) should gallop three circles of 333 meters. Whose horse comes first, he won.

But winding streets with sharp turns are very insidious. Hasty horses and strive to throw rider from the back. The one whose horse comes without a rider is considered a loser, and a fast horse is ensured fame and honor. And most importantly - a delicious reward.

Lantern Festival in Florence

Annually on September 6-7, on the eve of the Nativity of the Virgin, the masses of pilgrims, traders and tourists flock to Florence. Here, from the very morning, the fair of goods is held, and by the evening on the deserted streets from the Basilica of Santa Croce and to the Square of Santissima-Annuciata, led by the cardinal, there is a colorful procession with colored lanterns with candles inside.

This tradition appeared in the 17th century and has survived to the present day. One of the reasons for its origin is considered to be the desire of traders, by the winter sale of the harvested crop, podnakopit money. And according to another version, he was invented to honor the patroness of Florence - the Mother of God.

Traditions

The Italians are devout, deeply religious people. National holidays in Italy are associated with the respect and reverence of the inhabitants of the country to the holy patrons. What began as an opportunity to sell your goods, respect the attention and gifts of family and friends, became the property of the people.

If you manage to get to Italy during the celebration of any important date, join us! Italians like big feasts, treats a lot and delicious. And most importantly - such active and good-natured people still have to look.

But there are small nuances that are worth remembering when going on vacation.

• Christmas is a family holiday. In Italy, it is customary to spend New Year's and Christmas's days with the family.
• Easter is a time of folk festivities, outdoor games, picnics. On Easter Monday (compulsory day off), all Italians go on a picnic outside the city.
• On the Day of Liberation, they recall those who took part in the war against fascist Germany. Traditional reconstruction of those events, festive marathons, concerts and parades.
• For Italians, all holidays, memorable dates and days of memory of all saints, especially the patrons of cities, are important.