The Farmers Gremio have the
right to be the last in the procession during the descent from Piazza Castello along Corso
Vittorio Emanuele and to be the first to enter the church of Santa Maria at the end of the
"descent." The Candelieri are big wooden columns
(they symbolise candles) that weigh more than a hundred
kilograms. During the descent they are carried by "bearers" who make the Candelieri
'dance' to the insistent rhythm of the drums. As the "Candeliere" of the Farmers arrives in front
of the Palazzo di Città in Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the traditional meeting between the
representatives of the Gremio and the mayor and city councillors takes place. The
Farmers' "Major Obriere" greets the mayor using this expression
"A zent'anni" that means "I wish you could live for another hundred years", and
then he hoists his Gremio's large white flag that is the only flag carried in the
procession.
|
|
 |
 |
|
At this point the mayor and city councillors join the procession and
the "Faradda" starts. In the local language 'Faradda' means "the Candelieri's Descent".
At this point, by tradition, the citizens clap or hiss to show their approval or disapproval of the
work of the city council. Over the years this tradition has lost its spontaneity and nowadays
claps and hisses no longer express the true feelings of the citizens but are organised
"claques".
The crowd follows the procession
along Corso Vittorio Emanuele as far as the church of Santa Maria where a religious rite is
celebrated and where there are the chapels of six of the nine Gremis. Inside the church the
Candelieri are placed around the 'Virgin Mary's Bed' while the clergy and the mayor with the
population begin the ceremony of gratitude.
|
|
