Febbraio Posted by Serena on Feb 2, 2011 in Culture
The name of the month of Febbraio (February) comes from the Latin word "februus" which means ‘purifying’, because in Roman times this month was dedicated to the purification rituals used in preparation for Spring.
Principali Festività (Main Festivals):
On the 2nd of February we celebrate the festival of la Candelora (Candlemas), which commemorates the Purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of Jesus in the Temple. The 2nd is also the day on which the blessing of the candles which are used in churches during mass and other religious festivals takes place, and it’s from this ritual that the name ‘Candelora’ comes.
On the 14th of February we celebrate San Valentino, la festa degli Innamorati (Saint Valentine’s day, the festivals of those in love). I’ll be publishing a blog about San Valentino in a couple of weeks time..
Another very important festival which is celebrated in February is Carnevale (Carnival), a period of 40 days during which people masquerade and celebrate up until Shrove Tuesday, which this year will fall on the 8th of March. You can find more information about ‘Carnevale’ in one of my older blogs, here: https://blogs.transparent.com/italian/le-maschere-di-carnevale/
Detti (Sayings):
Il giorno della Candelora (Candlemas day) is traditionally used as a day for predicting the weather for the remainder of the winter season. Here, for example, is an old weather proverb from northern Italy:
| Per la santa Candelora, o che nevichi o che plora, dell’inverno siamo fuora; s’egli è sole o solicello, siamo ancora a mezzo il verno |
| For holy Candlemas, if it snows or it rains, we are out of winter; if it’s sunny or half sunny, we are still in the middle of winter |
This variation from Roma, which is much further south and normally has milder weather, turns the whole predicament on its head!:
| Quando vien la Candelora, de l’inverno semo fora; ma se piove o tira vento, de l’inverno semo drento. |
| When Candlemas arrives, we are out of winter; but if it rains or it’s windy, we are in winter. |
Here are a few more February detti:
| Corto febbraio, mezzo dolce e mezzo amaro | Short February, half sweet and half bitter |
| Per la Candelora, chi non ha carne impegni la figliola | For Candlemas, whoever hasn’t got meat should pawn their daughter |
| Per Sant’Agata la merenda è ritrovata | For Saint Agata (the 5th) the afternoon snack is rediscovered. (work in the fields is starting again, and there is the need for a mid-afternoon break) |
| Per San Valentino ogni uccello riprende il cammino | For Saint Valentine’s day every bird takes up its journey again |
| Primavera di febbraio reca sempre qualche guaio | A February spring always brings some damage |
| Se la viola esce a febbraio, serba il pagliaio | If the violet comes out in February, conserve your haystack |
| La mandorla sciocca fiorisce quando fiocca | The silly almond blossoms when it snows |
| Febbraio nevoso, estate gioioso | Snowy February, joyful summer |
| Febbraio maschere, balli, e vino apprestano il festino | February masks, dances, and wine prepare the party |
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Comments:
Jeannet:
Ciao Serena,
Interesting to read about.
‘Febbraio’ è my favourite month of the year.
… ” una merla non ci facciarsi l’estiva! ”
but to come, ..as always!
Saluti di Jeannet