2. Easter
The word Easter comes from the latin word “Pascha” and from
ebraico “Pasah”. It means “Passaggio”, passage, transit, transfer.
Easter is one of the most important festivity in the Christian
tradition. Like in the Orthodox tradition, it celebrates the
passage from death to resurrection of Jesus . While the Jewish
Easter celebrates the passage from slavery in Egypt to the
liberation of the Jews with Moses.
3. The date of Easter
The date of Easter is different every year and
it is on the Sunday following the first full
moon after the spring equinox (March
21st). Therefore Easter could be the day
from 22nd March to 25th April.
4. Easter liturgical ritual
Easter is preceded by Lent, a period of 40 days of fasting and abstinence,
which follows the Carnival celebrations. The week before Easter is called
"Holy Week" and it is marked by special liturgies.
5. Palm Sunday
The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday.
The blessing of the palms and olive branches
commemorate the entry of Jesus to
Jerusalem among in the crowd waving palm
branches.
6. Holy Thursday
On Holy Thursday there is the
washing of the feet. It is in memory
of the gesture made by Jesus at the
Last Supper.
7. Good Friday
Good Friday is dedicated to the celebration
of the “Via Crucis”. It goes through the
stages of the climb to Calvary of Christ.
9. Easter Traditions
Easter, over time, has been enriched by
customs. In particular the custom to give
chocolate eggs as presents dates back to
ancient rites. The ancient Persians and Greeks
gave eggs as presents in spring (symbol of the
awakening of nature)
11. The race of the Angel is a sacred representation. It takes place in Lacco Ameno on
Easter Sunday. The race has ancient roots and it’s a show which involves the
audience, taking them into a strong and exciting dimension to spiritual depth.
The show takes place among the chants of the crowd.
12. The “race of the angel” is very old and dates back
to about 1600
13. Lacco Ameno is definitely one of the municipalities of the island where folk
traditions have their own particular charm.
The "race of the Angel" takes place in Saint Restituta square every Easter and
it wants to play the meeting of the Madonna and her child rose from the
dead.
During this race people live various moments with intense emotion.
Mystical reason and pagan motifs rich in superstition and legend mix
together.
14. A procession formed by a small parade, the banner and the blue plume of white ostrich
feathers, the cross of the Brotherhood, the statue of the Angel. The statue of the
Madonna, the clergy and the statue of the Risen Christ leaves on Easter morning from
church of the Assumption and arrives in the square.
At the end of the celebration of the solemn Mass begins the delightful representation.
A small stage is set up in front of the Municipality palace and it’s recreated the tomb
where the body of Jesus was laid.
The local boys are offered to interpret the Roman soldiers guarding the tomb.
15. So the representation begins and statues of St Mary Magdalene and the Virgin Mary
(carried on the shoulders of the believers) go to the tomb to accommodate the remains
of Jesus. There they discover that the tomb is empty and return back to the apostles to
warn them of the disappearance of the body. Meantime the angel leaves to make the
announcement of the resurrection and for three times it runs to the tomb. It does three
obeisances each time he runs.
During the angel’s race the tinkling of the bells tied to his hand is peculiar . Suddenly a
roar breaks the air, the soldiers fall to the ground and the rock which closes the tomb
moves up showing the statue of the risen Christ. Then a flock of doves is released into
the sky accompanied by the sound of the bells of the nearby Basilica of Santa Restituta
and fireworks.
16. After the representation all the
statues, carried on the shoulders of
the believers, accompanied by a
procession, are reported in the
churches where they are kept.
It’s a very old show and lots of people
plan to see it every year.
Some days earlier people who carry
the statues have various tests to
synchronize the movements during
the run of the angel.
It is a show deeply felt by the
inhabitants of Lacco Ameno and it is
attractive for the tourists who really
enjoy to see it. All viewers see it is
either in the sun or in the rain.
17. Here are the statues they take part in the “race of the angel”
23. Food at Easter in Ischia
Easter on the island of Ischia is different from other religious and pagan
traditions in Europe. Easter is one of the most popular festivals in Ischia for the
plenty of food.
24. Easter recipes in Ischia
The Neapolitan gastronomy has certainly been influenced by various peoples
(Phoenicians, Greeks and Arabs). The first Neapolitan recipe dates back to 1765.
In 1884, in Ischia, people began to cook new dishes and then they became part
of the traditions.
25. Lunch at Easter
Starter
Among the various starters there is the “casatiello”. It is a bread with salt
and pepper and garnished with eggs and shell. It is eaten at Easter and can be
rustic or sweet.
Ingredients :
Flour 600 g., Lard 225 g., Yeast 50 g., Salt, Pepper, 6 eggs with shell, Roman cheese (2 spoons),
Parmesan cheese (2 spoons)
26. Other Starters
Pizza with escarole
Fried pizza stuffed with ricotta and salami, pizza escarole
(vegetables), widespread throughout southern Italy
Ingredients :
Flour 500 g., yeast 25 g., lard 150 g., salt and pepper, warm water, escarole 1 kg ,
garlic (1 glove), cappers 50 g., black olives 100 g., anchovies 100 g., pepper.
28. Corn cake ”Pastiera”
During Holy Week, and especially from Thursday or Friday, kitchens in
Lacco Ameno and in Ischia elate with their perfumes those who wish to
enjoy a delicacy from the ancient tradition: the “pastiera”. It is a cake
prepared just before Easter to bring out the goodness and from the first
tasting it amazes with emotions, bringing forth memories of when, as
children, they anxiously awaited the approach of Easter, in a festive
atmosphere of joy. The rich taste, full-bodied and definite, is given by the
grain mixed with ricotta cheese, cream, candied fruit, and with the aftertaste
of the orange blossoms aroma, in a harmony of flavors that make
unforgettable lunches with relatives and friends, chatting, laughing, with
chocolate eggs and a possible glass of the delicious “Limoncello”.
29. Red Eggs
Probably this custom has its roots in the early domination of the island by settlers
coming from peninsula of Eubea in Greece. They were the first settlers in Pithecusa
(ancient name of the island Ischia). In fact, still in the Balkan tradition and Greek
orthodox hard-boiled eggs are colored red and you can eat them in the Easter
dinner and in the following days, too. This simple custom of coloring eggs attests
how many traditions can still talk to the people heart from generation to
generation.
30. This activity has been done by the students (lower
secondary) of the Istituto Comprensivo Statale
‘’Vincenzo Mennella,” Lacco Ameno , Italia.
(May 2013)
