Saint Nicholas Celebration

From May 07th to May 09th 2012

Saint Nicholas Celebration

 

Take part of a one of the most famous and important celebrations in Italy. A great religious folk festival, held every year in Bari. Many thousands of people from all over Apulia come for the festivities which begin on the morning of May 7th. Priests go on a boat with an icon-type painting of St. Nicholas to spend the day at sea. The public square and other areas are turned into a festive fairyland lit by large beautiful lacy screens.The next morning, on the 8th, crowds gather at the breakwater for a large outdoor Eucharist celebrated by the Archbishop of Bari. A larger-than-life colorful St. Nicholas statue from the basilica is brought in procession and put in place next to the altar for the two-hour service. After the mass the statue embarks on a day-long sea voyage. A whole flotilla with dozens of boats forms a festive escort. In the evening the harbor is lined with thousands of people waiting to greet the statue's return. 

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