Ferragosto: Midsummer Italian Holiday

Just what is this thing called Ferragosto? Originally Ferragosto was linked to a celebration of the middle of summer, agricultural activity, and cycles of nature. The holiday was celebrated in the Roman Empire to honor the gods—in particular Diana—and the cycle of fertility and ripening.  To give agricultural animals and workers a break following the

Roman Goddess Diana

heaviest labor in the fields, Emperor Augustus declared that the entire month of August would be a holiday. In fact, the name Ferragosto derives from the original Latin name, Feriae Augusti – the ‘Holidays’ (Ferie) of Augustus.

Later, after the decline of the Roman Empire and the advent of the Roman Catholic Church, the celebration was re-spun as the Ascension of the Virgin Mary. To this day it remains one of Italy’s important Catholic holidays.

In modern times, Ferragosto has evolved into a very different holiday. August 15^th, regardless of which day of the week it falls on, is a holiday. With few exceptions, EVERYTHING from banks to shops to supermarkets to restaurants is closed, and almost no goes to work.

Many Italians take brief vacations – if they can, and if they are not already on vacation. Whether on vacation or remaining in town, for many, Ferragosto (not surprisingly) is an occasion to have a large, sumptuous meal, possibly outdoors in nature, in the company of family and friends in honor of the day.

Movie of the Week: “Pranzo di Ferragosto – You can find it on Amazon Prime. Here’s a sample…

The delightful film “Il Pranzo di Ferragosto” offers an entertaining peek into Ferragosto in one particular Roman household when a man who cares for his elderly mamma ends up hosting two other elderly ladies during this holiday. Hilarity ensues and culminates in a lavish feast.

August sees more Italians on vacation than any other time of the year. Cities and towns nearly empty out as residents head in droves ‘al mare’ (to the sea and beach), ‘alle montagne’ (to the mountains), or ‘all’estero’ (abroad) for their annual summer holidays. There’s a practical reason for this – August in Italy is the hottest, most humid, and weather-wise, the most miserable month of the year. You’ll have noticed this ‘ghost town’ effect if you’ve ever visited in August.

Of course, people do take their holidays at other times during the summer, but August is the most popular month, and anyone who can, gets out for at least part of the month, with some people going for the entire month. The beach is the most popular destination, and as you can imagine, the beaches are straffollate (super crowded).

You may be wondering how it is possible to leave town for an entire month… Italians who work have one month of paid vacation per year (compared to two weeks in the US). Those who remain behind are stuck in a hot, sticky, ‘ghost town’. Towns are so vacated, that residents of larger cities who remain have to check the newspapers or online for listings of staple-item stores that stay open, rather than circling around hoping to find an open gas station, pharmacy, grocery store, or bread shop.

Have you heard of or celebrated Ferragosto? Are you celebrating it this year? Love to hear your comments! 🙂

Buon Ferragosto a tutti!