Naples
 

Has anyone been to the St Gennaro festival in Naples? On certain sites it says that it's on Sept 19th, is that the only day or is it like in NY where it is for a week or 2? <BR> <BR>Thanks for your help.

No, the St Gennaro festival is only on Sept 19th, though there may be some partying for a day or two on either side of the event. This is a religious festival, with little actual celebration. The Neapolitans take it very seriously. If St Genarro's blood doesn't liquify, all partying will stop, as the Neapolitans start living in fear till the next time it is supposed to liquify. (I've never seen a complete population get so grim so rapidly, short of an actual disaster!) If it does, there will be celebrations for the rest of the day.

I attended last years festival to cover the atory fo rthe newspaper I work for..here is last years article: <BR> <BR>The Miracle of the Blood has taken place once again at the Duomo in Naples, insuring San Gennaro's continued protection of the city. <BR> <BR>At 9:54 a.m. Tuesday, in front of approximately 3,000 people, San Gennaro's dried blood turned liquid, kicking off a huge celebration in the cathedral and in the streets outside. Neapolitans streamed through the church to gaze at the ampoule of miraculously restored blood, confirming their belief that San Gennaro is still on duty as the city's protector. <BR> <BR>The vigil for the miracle of San Gennaro's blood began early in the morning. People milled about the piazza, vendors were hawking votive candles, images of the saint, and various souvenirs and treats. At around 9 a.m., the Cardinal unlocked the saint's relics, and they were taken to the main altar of the Duomo. <BR> <BR>When the cardinal announced the miracle, the cathedral exploded with applause and cheering, and fireworks were set off outside the church, announcing the miracle to the rest of the city. According to Prof. Maria Luisa della Rocca Barletta, one of the side effects of the miracle is the increase in volume of around 27 grams when the blood liquefies. <BR> <BR>This particular ceremony has a long history, according to Barletta. Beginning in 427, when Neapolitans went to the saint's sepulchre, in Capodimonte at that time, to ask for his help after a particularly violent eruption of Vesuvius. Even through the long period of the Spanish occupation, when the Spaniards tried to replace him with San Domenico as the patron saint of the city, the devotion for San Gennaro remained strong with the Neapolitans. <BR> <BR>The devotion to the saint is somewhat diminished nowadays, according to Barletta, especially after the Vatican Council reduced the obligatory devotion to the saint to just Naples in 1964, thereby reducing the importance of San Gennaro, and the major earthquake in 1980. She adds that after the earthquake, no one asked for the bust of the saint to be exhibited or for processions or ceremonies of adoration. <BR> <BR>However, Barletta says that San Gennaro is still deeply rooted in the spirit of each Neapolitan and still forms an essential element of their everyday life. <BR>

Would you say that it is worth it to experience the festival? My relatives live outside of Naples,in Aversa, and I don't know to stay the extra day to see that or just go to Rome. <BR> <BR>I'm used to walking around Little Italy in NY for St Gennaro, I guess this is very different.

IMO, I'd go to Naples. The festival is, as far as I know, unique and well worth a trip. It gives a wonderful perspective of the joie d'vivre I've only experienced in Naples (I know, a French phrase for an Italian city--but I can't think of a better phrase than this). As long as the blood liquifies, the vibrancy that is Naples expands to the point the city almost glows! If you like to party, this is the day to do it. (I hope I'm not taking away your only chance to visit Rome, though!) Whichever you chose, have a ball.

Denise!!! Stop trying to pawn off your articles on everyone, you shameless self promoter!! Love you! Joedy

JOEDY, YOU'RE BACK? Where have you been. All us Naples-philes have missed you.