Easter in the liturgical rites and traditions in Abruzzo

During Holy Week in Abruzzo witness ancient rituals that have the power to transform the tears in prayer and pain in confident hope.

Very impressive blessing of olive branches  takes place on Palm Sunday in the villages of Abruzzo: in Caldari, fraction of Ortona people, after mass, leads the olive branch in their homes and in their own land, as a pledge of peace and prosperity.

click to see photos

As the Church celebrates its Lenten liturgical rites, the people passed on their traditions. So, for example, in different districts of Abruzzo in the Holy Thursday, the singers of the Passion, the  "passionire", go around to the houses of the villages and the countryside, singing "Lu ggiuveddì sante" . The song, alternating between two or more singers, is accompanied mostly by a barrel organ, "lu ddu botte", but often also by the accordion or other instruments.

click here
to see the singers of Francavilla al Mare (Chieti)
at the Hospice where yesterday I made this short film

Very common is the Procession of the Dead Christ, which takes place on the evening of Good Friday in major cities and in many other villages. The choir of Good Friday in Ortona is very impressive .

listen to them in a video from you tube
( I am sorry ... we could't make it)

click here

One of the most unique representations is known as "The Madonna running" or "Our Lady running in the streets", which takes place on Easter Sunday in Sulmona.

On Easter Monday take place the parade so called of  Talami in Orsogna. Farm wagons pulled by tractors, bring Talami representing  scenes from the Bible, interpreted by the inhabitants of the country  dressed in ancient costume. 

The arrival of one of them in the square

brief video

Many customs and legends are still current but many others, unfortunately, are now  almost forgotten by the changes occurring in society because of  "progress"!!