Comune di Fanano
dove mi trovo : Introduction - History - Traditions
Traditions
The Good Friday Procession
Fanano’s religious community can trace its origins to documents dating from well before the year 1000. An expression of this religious tradition, the centuries-old re-evocation of the Passion of Christ is one of the most ancient, spectacular and unusual events to be held in this part of the northern Apennines.
It takes place every three years in a part of the town transformed into a religious site for the occasion, wonderfully prepared by the Confraternities and all the townspeople in accordance with the ancient tradition. At its heart is an XVIII Century wooden figure of the dead Christ (usually kept in a chapel open to the public, on the central Piazza Corsini, belonging to the Fogliani family).
The townspeople, divided for the occasion on the basis of residence into eight quarters (Chiesa – Gesù Morto – Piazza – Stradone - Poggiolo – Pianata – Fuoco and Piazzetta), work under the instructions of their respective Headmen during Lent to prepare the decorations (columns and garlands of box and cypress, the trees of grief and mourning) for the ceremony, still held in accordance with the tradition handed down from the XVIII Century. During Holy Week the streets and squares throng with Fanano’s men, women and young people, all hard at work.
The town’s historic centre is transformed: a sepulchre of box branches is erected outside the Fogliani chapel, to receive the statue of the Dead Christ at three o’clock on Good Friday afternoon; a representation of the Garden of Gethsemane is set up in the Poggiolo quarter with a statue of Christ in its centre, and the Stradone, Pianata and Piazza quarters are adorned with arches and crosses made from evergreen leaves.
Through this dramatic stage-set, illuminated by the dim light of purple-shaded lanterns, the procession’s route leads to the Fuoco Quarter, where a great torch is lit on a pedestal; then comes the Piazzetta Quarter with the magnificent representation of Calvary, moss-clad and surmounted by three crosses, a statue of the Dead Christ between statues of the grieving Madonna and St John at its foot.
A small chapel clad with evergreen fronds is also erected outside the parish church of San Silvestro, representing the tomb of Christ.
The procession begins at 9 p.m., after the Good Friday service in the church, and winds along the route prepared for it, while the members of the Confraternities, by ancient right, proudly bear the statues of the Dead Christ and the grieving Madonna on their shoulders, wearing their traditional capes in the colours of their respective bands (black, red and turquoise).
This unique celebration never fails to attract large numbers of the faithful, general visitors and lovers of tradition and folklore to Fanano.
Fanano’s religious community can trace its origins to documents dating from well before the year 1000. An expression of this religious tradition, the centuries-old re-evocation of the Passion of Christ is one of the most ancient, spectacular and unusual events to be held in this part of the northern Apennines.
It takes place every three years in a part of the town transformed into a religious site for the occasion, wonderfully prepared by the Confraternities and all the townspeople in accordance with the ancient tradition. At its heart is an XVIII Century wooden figure of the dead Christ (usually kept in a chapel open to the public, on the central Piazza Corsini, belonging to the Fogliani family).
The townspeople, divided for the occasion on the basis of residence into eight quarters (Chiesa – Gesù Morto – Piazza – Stradone - Poggiolo – Pianata – Fuoco and Piazzetta), work under the instructions of their respective Headmen during Lent to prepare the decorations (columns and garlands of box and cypress, the trees of grief and mourning) for the ceremony, still held in accordance with the tradition handed down from the XVIII Century. During Holy Week the streets and squares throng with Fanano’s men, women and young people, all hard at work.
The town’s historic centre is transformed: a sepulchre of box branches is erected outside the Fogliani chapel, to receive the statue of the Dead Christ at three o’clock on Good Friday afternoon; a representation of the Garden of Gethsemane is set up in the Poggiolo quarter with a statue of Christ in its centre, and the Stradone, Pianata and Piazza quarters are adorned with arches and crosses made from evergreen leaves.
Through this dramatic stage-set, illuminated by the dim light of purple-shaded lanterns, the procession’s route leads to the Fuoco Quarter, where a great torch is lit on a pedestal; then comes the Piazzetta Quarter with the magnificent representation of Calvary, moss-clad and surmounted by three crosses, a statue of the Dead Christ between statues of the grieving Madonna and St John at its foot.
A small chapel clad with evergreen fronds is also erected outside the parish church of San Silvestro, representing the tomb of Christ.
The procession begins at 9 p.m., after the Good Friday service in the church, and winds along the route prepared for it, while the members of the Confraternities, by ancient right, proudly bear the statues of the Dead Christ and the grieving Madonna on their shoulders, wearing their traditional capes in the colours of their respective bands (black, red and turquoise).
This unique celebration never fails to attract large numbers of the faithful, general visitors and lovers of tradition and folklore to Fanano.
The Confraternities
Fanano’s Confraternities were formed starting from the mid XV Century and for a long time performed religious and social functions: for example, the Confraternity of S. Giovanni Decollato (St John the Baptist Beheaded) was known as the Confraternity of the “good death”, since it assured its members aid and a free funeral. There were once four Confraternities, but the one devoted to the B.V. del Carmine is now extinct and there are three left: those of S. Giovanni Decollato, the SS. Rosario and the SS. Sacramento, known respectively as the black, turquoise and red bands, after the colours of the capes worn on ceremonial occasions. As well as these groups, for men only, there used also to be two companies made up exclusively of women: the Congregazione delle Concettine, which took the Madonna della Concezione as its patroness, and the “Consorelle”, devoted to the Madonna of the Font of the Parish Church.
The Chapels beside the Parish Church of San Silvestro (see Historic Buildings) are the official headquarters of the three men’s confraternities.
Fanano’s Confraternities were formed starting from the mid XV Century and for a long time performed religious and social functions: for example, the Confraternity of S. Giovanni Decollato (St John the Baptist Beheaded) was known as the Confraternity of the “good death”, since it assured its members aid and a free funeral. There were once four Confraternities, but the one devoted to the B.V. del Carmine is now extinct and there are three left: those of S. Giovanni Decollato, the SS. Rosario and the SS. Sacramento, known respectively as the black, turquoise and red bands, after the colours of the capes worn on ceremonial occasions. As well as these groups, for men only, there used also to be two companies made up exclusively of women: the Congregazione delle Concettine, which took the Madonna della Concezione as its patroness, and the “Consorelle”, devoted to the Madonna of the Font of the Parish Church.
The Chapels beside the Parish Church of San Silvestro (see Historic Buildings) are the official headquarters of the three men’s confraternities.
International Stone Sculpture Symposium
The tradition most firmly rooted in Fanano is without a doubt the art of the stone-masons and carvers (“picchiarini”), famous throughout Europe. This craft has always flourished in the area thanks to the abundance in the southern part of the municipality of the sandstones, marls and shales which supply the “pietra serena” or “Fanano stone”, used rough-hewn for building: from the first traces in the records of Roman times to the monastic buildings of the early Middle Ages and the many fine homes built by the wealthiest families, even every rural building, boundary wall or wayside shrine, the centuries-old tradition of the local masons and carvers is ever-present.
The art of the “picchiarini” has found its natural continuity of expression in the International Stone Sculpture Symposium, organised by the Town Council for the first time in 1983, which attracts artists from all over the world. In 15 editions it has produced more than 200 sculptures which have been installed alongside the many items of artistic stonework history has left us, creating the Outdoor Stone Sculpture Museum, today one of Italy’s few public contemporary sculpture collections, and a unique form of urban artistic furniture. It is a fascinating blend of history, art and culture which draws strength from a deep-seated tradition to safeguard the continuity of the area’s cultural expression. These original characteristics entitle Fanano to the unique description of “Town of Carved Stone”.
The Museum belongs to the Province of Modena Museum System, and makes a significant contribution to fostering the cultural themes and values of the whole Frignano and Modena Apennine Area.
The tradition most firmly rooted in Fanano is without a doubt the art of the stone-masons and carvers (“picchiarini”), famous throughout Europe. This craft has always flourished in the area thanks to the abundance in the southern part of the municipality of the sandstones, marls and shales which supply the “pietra serena” or “Fanano stone”, used rough-hewn for building: from the first traces in the records of Roman times to the monastic buildings of the early Middle Ages and the many fine homes built by the wealthiest families, even every rural building, boundary wall or wayside shrine, the centuries-old tradition of the local masons and carvers is ever-present.
The art of the “picchiarini” has found its natural continuity of expression in the International Stone Sculpture Symposium, organised by the Town Council for the first time in 1983, which attracts artists from all over the world. In 15 editions it has produced more than 200 sculptures which have been installed alongside the many items of artistic stonework history has left us, creating the Outdoor Stone Sculpture Museum, today one of Italy’s few public contemporary sculpture collections, and a unique form of urban artistic furniture. It is a fascinating blend of history, art and culture which draws strength from a deep-seated tradition to safeguard the continuity of the area’s cultural expression. These original characteristics entitle Fanano to the unique description of “Town of Carved Stone”.
The Museum belongs to the Province of Modena Museum System, and makes a significant contribution to fostering the cultural themes and values of the whole Frignano and Modena Apennine Area.
S. Possidonia Commemoration
Saint Possidonia, a Roman martyr, is considered a great protectress and patron in Fanano; her remains were donated to the town by Abbot Antonio Pellegrini in 1649.
Initially placed in a gilded wooden urn made by Giovanni Gherardini and transferred to the Parish Church of S. Silvestro, they were moved to a new gilded metal and silver urn on September 2, 1762. The town used to commemorate this latter event on the second Sunday in September every three years; the Saint’s relics were carried in triumph through the streets of the town centre, festively decorated for the occasion, while the local band played and games were organised for the townspeople. The day used to end with a firework display. However, this tradition is currently in disuse.
Saint Possidonia, a Roman martyr, is considered a great protectress and patron in Fanano; her remains were donated to the town by Abbot Antonio Pellegrini in 1649.
Initially placed in a gilded wooden urn made by Giovanni Gherardini and transferred to the Parish Church of S. Silvestro, they were moved to a new gilded metal and silver urn on September 2, 1762. The town used to commemorate this latter event on the second Sunday in September every three years; the Saint’s relics were carried in triumph through the streets of the town centre, festively decorated for the occasion, while the local band played and games were organised for the townspeople. The day used to end with a firework display. However, this tradition is currently in disuse.
Emigrants’ Commemoration
This three-yearly event, which used to be celebrated in alternation with the Good Friday and S. Possidonia commemorations, has changed considerably in format over the years. With the passage of time, emphasis has been given to all the aspects of emigration, a phenomenon which has its negative side, giving due consideration to the hardships and reasons which drove people to emigrate in order to survive
This three-yearly event, which used to be celebrated in alternation with the Good Friday and S. Possidonia commemorations, has changed considerably in format over the years. With the passage of time, emphasis has been given to all the aspects of emigration, a phenomenon which has its negative side, giving due consideration to the hardships and reasons which drove people to emigrate in order to survive
Carnival Characters
Like many Italian towns, Fanano has its own family of Carnival characters who in some way represent it in the world of misrule. This Frascona family consists of Tamburlano, the head of the family and the typical sturdy mountain-dweller, Sbronza, his wife, faithful to her husband but even more faithful to the fruit of the vine and Giocondo, their son, perennially engaged in trying to "modernise" his parents. Over the years, various Fanano residents have played these three roles with considerable success, and even today the boys and girls who attend the local schools impersonate them for Carnival, with the aid of teachers who write their parts.
Fanano’s Carnival Characters – The Frascona Family
Around 1955, on the inspiration of the primary-school teacher Paolo Mario Bellettini, a group of Carnival characters was created for Fanano, following the Italian tradition found in many towns. The “Frascona” family Mr Bellettini devised consists of the father Tamburlano, a typical sturdy mountain-dweller, Sbronza, his wife, faithful to her husband but even more faithful to the fruit of the vine and Giocondo, their son, perennially engaged in trying to "modernise" his parents. The family is said to come from a place called “Mulino del Balzo”, on the edge of a stream in an isolated, inaccessible zone.
This group of simple, perhaps mentally rather slow people take the names of a family which is said really to have lived near Fanano in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; they dress in rough clothes of woollen cloth, woven by Bronza from the wool of their own sheep. Although they live at some distance from the centre of Fanano, out of reach of the mass media, they are very well informed about what is going on in the town and in the world, and bring a sharp critical common sense to their reading of events.
Under Mr Bellettini’s guidance, with the assistance of other townspeople, these characters became a popular part of the Fanano Carnival Parade
They then extended their range by establishing contacts with carnival characters from elsewhere in the area, especially the Pavironica Family of Modena; they have taken part in the Modena Carnival Thursday celebrations on several occasions, with Tamburlano giving a formal greeting from the balcony of the City Hall.
They have also appeared with Bertoldo and his Court of San Giovanni in Persiceto, Tugnoun of San Felice sul Panaro, Mirandolina of Mirandola and other characters.
Prompted by teachers interested in local traditions, who wrote their scripts, Fanano’s primary school children have also established a “miniature” Frascona Family, which has been a great success during the Carnival Parade.
A present, the Frascona Family continues to appear at the Modena Carnival Thursday celebrations.
Over the years, their parts have been played by:
Tamburlano: Umberto Passini, Domenico Cattinari, Gottardo Turchi, Pierluigi Perfetti.
Bronza: Maria Pellati, Clementina Bellettini, Gina Zinanni, Maria Bellettini, Alda Poli.
Giocondo: Elio Passini, Alfonso Seghedoni, Gottardo Turchi, Riccardo Turchi, Riccardo Pellati.
Like many Italian towns, Fanano has its own family of Carnival characters who in some way represent it in the world of misrule. This Frascona family consists of Tamburlano, the head of the family and the typical sturdy mountain-dweller, Sbronza, his wife, faithful to her husband but even more faithful to the fruit of the vine and Giocondo, their son, perennially engaged in trying to "modernise" his parents. Over the years, various Fanano residents have played these three roles with considerable success, and even today the boys and girls who attend the local schools impersonate them for Carnival, with the aid of teachers who write their parts.
Fanano’s Carnival Characters – The Frascona Family
Around 1955, on the inspiration of the primary-school teacher Paolo Mario Bellettini, a group of Carnival characters was created for Fanano, following the Italian tradition found in many towns. The “Frascona” family Mr Bellettini devised consists of the father Tamburlano, a typical sturdy mountain-dweller, Sbronza, his wife, faithful to her husband but even more faithful to the fruit of the vine and Giocondo, their son, perennially engaged in trying to "modernise" his parents. The family is said to come from a place called “Mulino del Balzo”, on the edge of a stream in an isolated, inaccessible zone.
This group of simple, perhaps mentally rather slow people take the names of a family which is said really to have lived near Fanano in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; they dress in rough clothes of woollen cloth, woven by Bronza from the wool of their own sheep. Although they live at some distance from the centre of Fanano, out of reach of the mass media, they are very well informed about what is going on in the town and in the world, and bring a sharp critical common sense to their reading of events.
Under Mr Bellettini’s guidance, with the assistance of other townspeople, these characters became a popular part of the Fanano Carnival Parade
They then extended their range by establishing contacts with carnival characters from elsewhere in the area, especially the Pavironica Family of Modena; they have taken part in the Modena Carnival Thursday celebrations on several occasions, with Tamburlano giving a formal greeting from the balcony of the City Hall.
They have also appeared with Bertoldo and his Court of San Giovanni in Persiceto, Tugnoun of San Felice sul Panaro, Mirandolina of Mirandola and other characters.
Prompted by teachers interested in local traditions, who wrote their scripts, Fanano’s primary school children have also established a “miniature” Frascona Family, which has been a great success during the Carnival Parade.
A present, the Frascona Family continues to appear at the Modena Carnival Thursday celebrations.
Over the years, their parts have been played by:
Tamburlano: Umberto Passini, Domenico Cattinari, Gottardo Turchi, Pierluigi Perfetti.
Bronza: Maria Pellati, Clementina Bellettini, Gina Zinanni, Maria Bellettini, Alda Poli.
Giocondo: Elio Passini, Alfonso Seghedoni, Gottardo Turchi, Riccardo Turchi, Riccardo Pellati.
Town Band New Year Concert
Since time out of mind, the Fanano Town Band, one of the Frignano area’s longest-established music-making organisations, has marked January 1 of each year with a concert held through the streets of the town, stopping outside the homes of Fanano’s leading figures (the Mayor, the Priest, local benefactors, etc.).
Since time out of mind, the Fanano Town Band, one of the Frignano area’s longest-established music-making organisations, has marked January 1 of each year with a concert held through the streets of the town, stopping outside the homes of Fanano’s leading figures (the Mayor, the Priest, local benefactors, etc.).