The Rificolona in Florence

Book a stay in Florence for 7th September 2009. The city will host the Rificolona, a celebration mainly for children, which is held on the eve of the Madonna’s Nativity, in Piazza Santissima Annunziata. Some people believe that the Rificolona stems from the arrival in Florence of the farmers and mountain populations from Casentino and Pistoia, looking to celebrate the religious event in the Florentine church and making the most of the possibility to sell their products at the fair held in the same square on 8th September.

The farmers had torches and lanterns with them for lighting their way into the city. The first “rificolone” (paper puppets with a light inside) were made by the inhabitants of Florence, inspired by those lanterns. Hanging from the windows of the houses, they managed to create an original and appealing environment. This is a historical and traditional event, that promotes and enhances and attachment of the inhabitants to their land.

Posted by www.italy-florence.com