Ciao Pinoy in Cagliari, Sardinia

Ciao Pinoy!

Buon Ferragosto ( Ferie D’ Agosto) a tutti!

As Pinoys living in Italy, we often look forward to Ferragosto as a time to take a break from our daily routines and enjoy a much-needed vacation. However, do you know what Ferragosto means to Italians and how it originated?

Ferragosto is a public holiday celebrated on August 15th in Italy, which coincides with the Catholic feast of the Assumption of Mary.

The festivity has Roman origins and the term Ferragosto derives from the Latin "Feriae Augusti" (August rest), a locution referring to a festivity called by the Emperor Augustus in 18 BC.

The feast was part of the period of the festivities dedicated to Conso, god of the earth and fertility, and was called with the aim of ensuring an adequate rest after the efforts made in the previous weeks of work. On the feast day, horse races were organized throughout the empire.

The Catholic Church moved the date of the ancient Ferragosto from August 1st to August 15th to coincide with the religious celebration for the Assumption of Mary.

Ferragosto became popular and began to be associated with summer holidays during the fascist period, when the regime promoted 'popular trips' on 'popular trains' that had reduced fares between August 13 and 15.

Today, Ferragosto is an occasion for celebrations throughout Italy, with religious ceremonies, competitions, and outings with family and friends.