Bleeding Espresso

6 April 2009

Celebrating Easter in Southern Italy

Pasqua, or Easter, is by far the most celebrated holiday in Italy.

Indeed, I’m taking this week off from the blog so I can enjoy some of the festivities, catch up on various work and personal projects, and also continue packing as our move is really picking up steam. Woohoo!

I will be back blogging on Tuesday, but in the meantime if you want to keep up with me, you can always follow me on Twitter @michellefabio or friend me on Facebook (if we haven’t exchanged emails or I don’t know you personally, please include a note telling me you’re a loyal reader!).

But I’m certainly not leaving you with nothing to do:

Pasqua in Calabria: A description of Badolato Superiore’s day long procession on Sabato Santo (Holy Saturday) and La Cunfrunta, the magical Easter Sunday meeting between the Madonna and Jesus.

Pasqua in Calabria: The Photos: Photos of the festivities on Sabato Santo and Easter Sunday.

Still Celebrating: Easter celebrations in Italy continue into Easter Monday, or Pasquetta.

Calabrian Cuzzupe: Recipe for traditional Calabrian Easter cake.

Deno’s Easter Eggs: One of my favorite childhood Easter memories–now with an additional comment from the infamous Deno himself! How cool!

For those of you who have been around the blog a while, you’ve probably already seen those links…but not these videos, newly uploaded to Flickr. They are of La Cunfrunta in 2007; I tried unsuccessfully to upload others from Sabato Santo and even Good Friday. I *will* keep trying, so do check back for updates. Enjoy!

P.S. I know I originally said Freelance Writing Week II would be just after Easter, but I’ve decided to take off Pasquetta as well, so I’m going to push it ahead another week. I hope you’ll join me!

Buona Pasqua!

P.S. The winner of The Life Plan by Sybil Baker is

Charlie of Figs and Lemons!

Congratulations Charlie!

P.S. For My Bella Vita readers, Cherrye is back…but now you have to go to http://my-bellavita.com to find her. Update your links and feeds!

15 beans of wisdom »

15 beans of wisdom to “Celebrating Easter in Southern Italy”

Gil on 06 Apr 2009 at 8:18 am #

Enjoy your rest! Our first trip to Italy included Easter week between Sicily and Florence. This included the ferry trip from Palermo to Naples and a drive on Easter Monday from Naples to Florence. The drive was an experience of its own.

Buona Pasqua!!!

I can imagine! Have a great holiday, Gil
nyc/caribbean ragazza on 06 Apr 2009 at 11:11 am #

Buona Pasqua.

See you next week.

(I still cannot get used to those photos. Creeps me out although I realize they have nothing to do with what these costumes mean in the United States).

Did you feel the earthquake?

Nope, didn’t feel anything–was awful news to wake up to I wonder if you felt anything in Rome?

And I hear you on those costumes…
Ciaochowlinda on 06 Apr 2009 at 11:57 am #

I love the Good Friday processions in Italy, especially in Sicily. They are really amazing to see. Happy Easter.

They are definitely productions! I recommend to everyone that they come to southern Italy for Easter at least once in their lives
Laura from Ciao Amalfi on 06 Apr 2009 at 3:12 pm #

Ciao Michelle! I haven’t been in Italy for Easter yet, and I am missing again this year. There are so many traditions I am looking forward to seeing next year. Thanks for sharing all the great links! Buona Pasqua!

Laura from Ciao Amalfi’s last blog post..Sunday Shout-out: Olio di Oliva e Sogni di Vino

Hope you do get to enjoy it someday–it’s truly lovely
City Girl on 06 Apr 2009 at 4:34 pm #

Michelle – I am so glad your part of Italy were not touched by the earthquake. Glad to hear the move will happen soon and have a wonderful week.

City Girl’s last blog post..Antidote to the Monday Morning Blues – Beautiful Monday Instead of Beauty Monday

Thanks so much for thinking of us
vchelle on 06 Apr 2009 at 6:59 pm #

Hi Michelle, just want you to know that I’m thinking of you.
I hope all is well with you and your family! Immediately when I heard about Italy’s earthquake, I thought of you.

vchelle’s last blog post..Inspirational Monday: Journey to friendship…

Thanks so much; all is well here.
Se'Lah on 06 Apr 2009 at 7:16 pm #

Just sending positive vibes and best wishes to you and all those living in (or who have relatives in) Italy at this time. Prayers sent up.

One Love, Se’Lah

Se’Lah’s last blog post..Inspirational Monday: SUN day…

Thanks so much, Se’Lah! Truly tragic
Susan & GG on 06 Apr 2009 at 7:24 pm #

So glad you are fine. Very concerned about everyone. baci to all…I’ve not been here in a while & don’t know anything about a move…uh oh. I better go find out. xoxo.

Susan & GG’s last blog post..Abruzzo, L’Aquila

Thanks, Susan. Our move is really only down the street, but there’s quite a bit of remodeling to do first…slowly
Marge on 07 Apr 2009 at 1:10 am #

Michelle

Just found your website. Love your Story/photos of Pasqua in Italy. My husband and I are planning to visit Italy this summer. Now I am so sad we were not able to come in Spring. It will be my 2nd trip and his first. I am so excited. My ancestors are from Campania and Sicily. I will explore your website more when I have the time. I am so excited about the possibilities.

Marge’s last blog post..What are you doing to help the environment?

Welcome Marge! I hope you enjoy your look around
Cherrye at My Bella Vita on 07 Apr 2009 at 11:57 am #

Enjoy your week off. Let’s hope this beautiful weather holds out.

Cherrye at My Bella Vita’s last blog post..Travel Tip Tuesday: How to Choose a European Vacation

I hear it’s supposed to rain on Thursday at least. Waaah!
jen of a2eatwrite on 07 Apr 2009 at 1:54 pm #

Buona Pasqua! It figures that you leave just as I return, lol.

jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..“My Heart is with You”

We are but two ships….
Deb on 08 Apr 2009 at 6:53 am #

Michelle, I enjoyed your Cuzzupe recipe. Similar to my Nonna’s but I’ve never made it… maybe this year.

Deb’s last blog post..Italian Groundhog Day

Glad you enjoyed, Deb! If you make them this year, please let me know
The Italian Dish on 12 Apr 2009 at 3:03 am #

Thank you for all the photos and the video – I love looking at all of these. I wish I could get to Italy more often.

The Italian Dish’s last blog post..Happy Easter

So glad you enjoyed! Hopefully you’ll get here soon
Selena on 12 Apr 2009 at 9:35 pm #

haha ok so i moved to italy 2 years ago. i still don’t understand (reading) italian 100% still. i saw these in the news paper this morning but was thinking “WHAT THE HECK IS THIS???” O___O lol but now i understand thanks a lot for showing this. it’s very interesting cause i haven’t seen these here (Rimini)… actually i don’t think it’s as big of a thing here. mostly we exchange the big chocolate eggs, with things inside, and have the blessed hard boiled eggs and go to church. (but this year we missed out on going to church) thanks for the photos. really awesome.

Buona Pasqua

Glad you enjoyed Selena! It seems the farther south you go, the more elaborate the Easter festivities….
joe@italyville on 14 Apr 2009 at 9:43 pm #

Hope you had a great Pasqua & Pasquetta:)

Thanks Joe; you too