For many fellow countrymen abroad, traditional festivities become an important reason to return home. And in Friuli Venezia Giulia there are many traditions on the calendar.
To name a few of the most well-known:
– The Krampusare demonic creatures, similar to demons or satyrs, which accompany St. Nicholas during the Christmas holidays and which are still found in the north-east of the region. In some communities in the region, the night of December 5, known as Krampusnacht (the Night of Krampus), is dedicated to Krampus. In this tradition, Krampus visits the streets, often accompanied by St. Nicholas, to “punish” mischievous or disobedient children. Krampus costumes often feature dark fur coats, horns, demonically detailed masks, and hooves. These depictions of the Krampus may vary from community to community, but they generally share the ominous and frightening aspect. The figure of the Krampus is rooted in the ancient folklore traditions of the Alpine regions, and its presence is often associated with propitiatory rites and scaringatura, or the expulsion of evil spirits in order to ensure prosperity and good fortune for the new year.
– The Pignarûls, large bonfires that are lit throughout the region during the holiday season to celebrate the winter solstice. The lighting lasts until Epiphany, the day on which an important event is organized in the municipality of Tarcento (UD). Here the Friulian Epiphany lives an intense eve, on January 5th, thanks to the pignarulârs who are the architects of the preparation of the Pignarûi which will be lit on the evening of January 6th. They compete in an enthralling fiery chariot race in the presence of Old Venerable, a pivotal figure in the epiphanic rite, for the coveted Palio. On January 6th, in the evening, the historical procession parades through the crowd through the streets of the city center. The Venerable tells of ancient Epiphanies, then climbs, in a torchlight procession, towards Coia, followed by thousands of torches, thus giving life to a spectacular ribbon of fire along the hairpin bends of the hill. The Vieli Venerando (Old Venerable), a symbolic figure of grandfather and storyteller, lights the great bonfire, the Pignarûl Grant, and predicts the course of the new vintage based on the direction of the smoke.
– Traditional Alpine Carnivals. Even today, very special carnival traditions are handed down with love and passion, especially in the mountain areas of the region. Among the most famous celebrations are: the Carnival of Resia, the Carnival of Sappada and the Carnival of Sauris. The elements that unite them are undoubtedly the traditional costumes and the spontaneity of the events. The inhabitants of these communities are the first real protagonists of the carnival.
