The festival in Motta

Last night we went to the festival for San Anastasia in the little town of Motta (officially named Motta San Anastasia) which is very near us. This was the last and most important night of the festival as this was the night (the statue of) San Anastasia arrives at the Church to preside over Motta. We're putting a few photos here but this weekend I'll put more on Flickr.

The festival occurs each year but this was one of the “every four years” festivals which are much grander and last a full week instead of the usual four days. It depicts the midevil times when each small area had its own king and castle. Early each night of the festival there is a parade representing the King of Motta and his court. Many, many beautiful costumes worn by even more beautiful young people, too many to count. Flag bearers/twirlers throw flags high into the air to be caught either by them or by crossing with another to be caught by a partner.

Near the end of the parade comes the “king” riding his horse and after a few more courtiers the queen rides along in her beautifully carved carriage drawn by two perfectly matched dapple gray horses.

When this parade is over everyone walks up the hill of the town to an area below the castle where a new parade begins. A much shorter but more significant one which is a more religious parade—the one in which the statue of San Anastasia is carried around the town to finally arrive at the church.

There are three large, heavy pieces carried before the statue comes. It takes a team of about 12 very strong men to carry each one and the young men vie for the honor of being on one of the teams. The carrying of these pieces (see photo) becomes a contest of who can be in front of this small parade but they are so heavy a team can only carry one a few feet before having to put it down to rest a bit. What a sight to see them run a short way then put this thing down and rest a bit before taking it up to do the same thing again. The route is strenuous since Motta is built on a steep hill but being on one of these teams is an honor and no one would ever give up their spot.

The statue (covered in real gold and jewels) is larger than life-sized and is actually on a rolling cart. Two priests (and two guards) stand on the cart with the statue and people give money to them as an offering to the saint. A rope extends out in front about fifty feet and people from the town find a spot on the rope to help pull the statue along the streets of Motta. There is a group of priests (or priests’ helpers, maybe) in front and behind pushing, pulling and yelling something that might be (with my limited knowledge of Italian), “We live well -- because of San Anastasia. We are strong -- because of San Anastasia, etc.” One man yells the first part and the others answer with the other.

This parade starts about 8:00 and continues all through town until at midnight it ends at the church and the statue is carried in. There's arial fireworks throughout the parade.. each set even more than in our little town back in the states and they do it about three times throughout the parade time but Bob said they did a really huge bunch at 2:00 a.m. (We were home and I was sound asleep).