- FEBRUARY 2018 -
History and Folk Traditions
Tables of Saint Joseph In Salento the old tradition returns
by Dario Ersetti All the rules of this ancient custom in which, around March 19, numerous families from various towns in Salento set up lavish tables full of traditional food, open to anyone who appears at their door. Always present are the tòrtini or tòrtani, donut shaped loaves of bread weighing three or five kilos, with an effigy of St. Joseph or the Holy Family in the center March 2017
Tables of Saint Joseph The welcome for wayfarers in “slow travel in Salento”
by Anna M. Conserva Trekking and meeting with popular traditions in a book by Emanuela Rossi. A journey on foot to discover the Terra d’Otranto in the period of the Tables of Saint Joseph. Amidst breathtaking landscapes, literary quotations, lampascioni, turnips, fried fish and zeppole... March 2017
A saint a day… following the laws of peasant culture
by Angela Natale The latest book by Rossella Barletta, Quale santo invocare? Feste e riti del calendario salentino (Edizioni Grifo) gives a detailed account of the ancient folk culture of Salento and Puglia. Amidst faith, beliefs and superstition April 2014
Gravina in Puglia Frederick II’s “garden of delights”
by Giuseppe Massari From the ancient Greek Sidion to the Roman Silvium, its history of over a thousand years has left artifacts of great interest.Its rural churches with their frescoes are studied by numerous Universities.
It enchanted the emperor Frederick II who had a hunting castle built there November 2013
Otranto A story of pride and courage
by Vito Spada Famous for its amazingly blue sea, the easternmost town in Italy is rich in historical heritage.In 1480 the Turks landed and devastated it.
Eight hundred locals preferred to be decapitated rather than abjure their faith. Recently, after more than five hundred years, they have been proclaimed saints by Pope Bergoglio June 2013
19th century Gallipoli The Mediterranean capital of lamp oil
by Nicolò Carnimeo Its port was first in the exportation of lamp oil which reached the seaports of all Northern Europe.In the subterranean oil mills of Gallipoli, Salento, and Terra di Bari this precious liquid was produced, the best of that age.
The special feeling with the British April 2013
The magic of Puglia’s Nativity scenes
by Pietro Marino An itinerary that takes in the most interesting Nativity scenes in the region.From the Gargano to Salento, from Bari to Taranto there are numerous groups of admirable 15th and 16th-century statues, representing the Nativity.
Lecce is one of the capitals of the Nativity scenes, and since way back in the 18th century its papier-maché has reigned supreme December 2012
Lucera Indelible traces of History in its fortress
by Bianca Tragni The magnificence of Frederick II had allowed the Saracens to build mosques and Moorish dwellings. The Angevins destroyed them to build churches and province-style houses.Artistic gems, like the cabinet that contains a precious baroque altar, in the Diocese Museum, contribute to making a visit to this city a must July 2012
The myriad rites of Holy Week Midst faith and folklore
by Bianca Tragni In many Apulian towns, with innumerable traditions, the Catholic rites leading up to Easter are celebrated in varying ways.Fascinating processions with statues, hooded men, veiled women and musical bands April 2012
The Apulian heroes of the Risorgimento
by Lino Patruno Two books hot off the press are talking about them: I nostri eroi (Our Heroes) by Bianca Tragni and L’agente segreto di Cavour (Cavour’s Secret Agent) by Nico Perrone.New light is thrown on unknown heroes, forerunners of modernity, in Tragni’s work, while the historian Perrone gives us unedited revelations about a well-known personality of the epoch: Giuseppe Massari, native of Taranto and secretary to Cavour February 2012
Tarantism When music healed the soul
by Brizio Montinaro A lucid analysis by Brizio Montinaro, actor, writer and author of Danzare col ragno (2011, Argo, Lecce), of a phenomenon which, with its renewed popularity, is dogged by inaccuracies and absurd interpretations December 2011