Easter in Ischia

“Pleased to meet EU” Comenius projectI.C. “V. Mennella”- Lacco Ameno - Italy

EasterThe word Easter comes from the latin word “Pascha” and fromebraico “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 JewishEaster celebrates the passage from slavery in Egypt to the liberation of the Jews with Moses.

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 dayfrom 22nd March to 25th April.

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.

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.

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.

Good Friday

Good Friday is dedicated to the celebrationof the “Via Crucis”. It goes through the stages of the climb to Calvary of Christ.

Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday is the day in which no Mass is celebrated and no Communion is given.

Easter Traditions

Easter, over time, has been enriched bycustoms. In particular the custom to givechocolate eggs as presents dates back toancient rites. The ancient Persians and Greeksgave eggs as presents in spring (symbol of the awakening of nature)

The “Race of the Angel”in Lacco Ameno

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.

The “race of the angel” is very old and dates back to about 1600

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.

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.

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 Restitutaand fireworks.

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.

Here are the statues they take part in the “race of the angel”

St.Maria

Maddalena

The

Madonna

Risen

Christ

St.John

The

Angel

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.

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.

Lunch at EasterStarter

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)

Other Starters

Pizza with escaroleFried pizza stuffed with ricotta and salami, pizza escarole (vegetables), widespread throughout southern ItalyIngredients :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.

Baked Lamb

Ingredients: Lamb 2kg , lard 60 g., olive oil 60 ml, , garlic (1 glove), rosemary, potatoes 1 kg.

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”.

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.

This activity has been done by the students (lowersecondary) of the Istituto Comprensivo Statale ‘’Vincenzo Mennella,” Lacco Ameno , Italia. (May 2013)