Celebrating Easter in Southern Italy

Sabato Santo procession, Badolato 2007Pasqua, 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 become a fan of Bleeding Espresso on Facebook.

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 Cumprunta, the magical Easter Sunday meeting between the Madonna and Jesus.
  • Still Celebrating: Easter celebrations in Italy continue into Easter Monday, or Pasquetta.
  • 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 Cumprunta 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!


 

Buona Pasqua!

15 Beans of Wisdom to “Celebrating Easter in Southern Italy”
  1. Gil
    04.06.2009

    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 🙂

  2. 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…

  3. 04.06.2009

    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 🙂

  4. 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 🙂

  5. 04.06.2009

    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 🙂

  6. 04.06.2009

    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.

  7. 04.06.2009

    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 🙁

  8. 04.06.2009

    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 🙂

  9. 04.07.2009

    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 🙂

  10. 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!

  11. 04.07.2009

    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…. 😉

  12. 04.08.2009

    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 🙂

  13. 04.12.2009

    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 🙂

  14. Selena
    04.12.2009

    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….

  15. 04.14.2009

    Hope you had a great Pasqua & Pasquetta:)

    Thanks Joe; you too 🙂

Michelle KaminskyMichelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived. 

Calabria Guidebook

Calabria travel guide by Michelle Fabio

Recipes

 

Homemade apple butter
Green beans, potatoes, and pancetta
Glazed Apple Oatmeal Cinnamon Muffins
Pasta with snails alla calabrese
Onion, Oregano, and Thyme Focaccia
Oatmeal Banana Craisin Muffins
Prosciutto wrapped watermelon with bel paese cheese
Fried eggs with red onion and cheese
Calabrian sausage and fava beans
Ricotta Pound Cake