We all have our vacations. But where on this earth will you find one nation who closes down, packs up, and goes off to rejuvenate all at one time? In the month of August, Italy does just that and of course, who would blame them?
Could there be anything less spectacular than the thought of wading in the emerald green waters of the Mediterranean, while a light breeze, salty and cool, brushes against your skin, and a lunch of insalata di mare, made from freshly caught octopus, clams and mussels with a hint of olive oil and limone awaits you. Ah, this is the life, la bella vita at its finest. For millions of Italians, this thought will soon become a reality as they partake in Ferragosto, the much anticipated holiday that will begin in August and last up to three weeks.
Three weeks? For Americans, the thought of leaving their jobs even for a few days seems impossible, let alone being able to close down their businesses and head to the seaside, but Italians have done so for years. Though times have changed and the economy may in the end dictate whether those three weeks will be reduced to just a week or even few days, Italians will not be stopped. They will travel to their mountains, and they will bathe along their sun kissed shores. No matter what. They will have their vacation.
Throughout the year, Italians work diligently while in July, they will put in extra hours in order to ensure that all deadlines are met before leaving their jobs. But play they will as the annual migration takes place every year. Cities will soon become abandoned ghost towns where the wooden shutters of their homes will be sealed shut, the cobblestone streets emptied and signs saying “Chiuso per Ferie, Closed for vacation” will suddenly start cropping up. It may be an odd sight for tourists, who will start asking, “but where is everyone?”
But go down along the Italian coast, and you will see like an oasis—Italians, beautifully tanned, riding their bikes, basking in their waters, dancing at clubs till dawn, and eating their gelato. No, Italians do not just love their Ferragosto, they expect and plan for it starting in January after the Christmas holiday. Ferragosto is a big deal; it is where Italians unite as a country, and partake in one big happy vacation. It is just as much apart of their culture as going to soccer games and eating pasta, and it has been a part of their lifestyles for generations.
What is perhaps less known, however, is just how far back Ferragosto goes.
The name itself is Latin (Feriae augusti) for Augustus holiday. In Rome, the tradition began in the year 18 AD when the Emperor Augustus celebrated the end of the harvest season with weeks of rest and indulgent festivities. It was a unique and extraordinary celebration because for once, all social classes mingled together, and were no longer divided.
Eventually, with the rise of the Catholic church, the church stepped in and turned this essentially pagan celebration into a religious one by proclaiming that Ferragosto, August 15th, was the day of the Assumption when the Virgin Mary was taken to heaven.
Fast forward to the mid 1920s and Mussolini made Ferragosto into a national holiday. When he discounted the prices of trains, with the “People’s Trains of Ferragosto,” it gave all Italians the opportunity to see their country in all of its splendor.
Today, Ferragosto means more to Italians than ever as it gives them a chance to be with their loved ones and to rejuvenate from their stressful busy lives. It also gives them a chance to return to a more careful way of life, and as we say in Hawaii, hang loose. Days at the beach, nights with friends, even the cooking seems simple and carefree. Dishes such as insalata di riso, panzanella, zucchine ripiene, la macedonia are all summer delights that get Italians out of the kitchen and outside. They are easy to make, light and fresh. For once, the Italian meal takes a backseat and is overshadowed by the glories of a summer vacation.
Right about now, all throughout Italy, the main topic of discussion will not be about the economy, or romance, or even work, but instead, will be centered upon their upcoming holiday. In fact, almost all conversations will contain these three questions: Dove vai? Con chi? Quando parti? Where are you going, with whom and when?” In the past, those questions would be answered quickly. Rimini. Sardegna.
Capri. Forte Dei Marmi. But times have changed. Italians have been hit by taxes, a slow economy, and high unemployment. The results of these factors may force some Italians to either stay at home or go on shorter more economical trips. Even closing down for weeks at a time may not be feasible in this highly competitive global economy which will not stop and wait for Italy’s return from the holidays. The sun may still shine, but it perhaps does not shine quite so brightly for many Italians.
But do not worry. Ferragosto has been a part of the Italian lifestyle for eons, and it has already survived two world wars, and the great depression within this century alone. Ferragosto will come, and it will come again the next year and the year after that. Rest assured. Italians will always take this period to flee to whichever vacation spot they see fit! The shores, camp sites, mountains, rivers, lakes, and resorts, enjoying life in all its glory, while teaching the world just what it means to stop everything, take a deep breath, and go on vacation. Buon Ferragosto!
Donate