Pokemon Silver Chronicles Online

THURSDAY THE 'HOLY - The Vare

Caltanissetta, is famous throughout the world by a procession of quite exceptional " Vare ", sixteen impressive life-size statuary groups representing each of the Passion and Death of our Lord, starting from 'Last Supper with the twelve apostles, up to the weeping Madonna who, alone, weeping for her son. The Vare

march in procession through the downtown streets from dusk until a few hours after midnight.

tradition is that on Holy Thursday, since the 'dawn, the Vare each being exposed in a city street, and during the day, are decorated with flowers and lights.

The sixteen groups of statues, but one (the translation) are the work of two artists from Naples, Francesco and Vincenzo Biangardi , father and son, who released them in the second half of '800, although the Thursday procession Santo was born in Caltanissetta long before. A magnificent procession

che riesce ogni anno a meravigliare chiunque, a coinvolgere tutti, dal bambino più piccolo agli adulti di ogni età.

Per iniziare a scoprire ed assaporare meglio quello che è il Giovedì Santo a Caltanissetta, segue un testo di Michele Alesso, un nisseno cultore di tali riti vissuto alla fine del secolo XVII, che scrive: "Importantissima, artistica ed unica del suo genere è diventata ormai la processione del Giovedì santo a Caltanissetta, dove accorrono ogni anno numerosi forestieri dalla provincia, ma non solo, anche dall'isola. Il numero dei gruppi, l'ordine e la lunghezza della processione e le diverse bande musicali, che all' uopo contribuiscono a renderla vieppiù religiosamente sontuosa ed artisticamente bella. Tutto il giorno del Giovedì e tutta la sera sino ad ora tarda è un via vai di un affollamento continuo di gente che si accalca per tutte le vie principali: e il forestiero che si sofferma a contemplare estatico i vari gruppi bea con gli occhi, osservando minutamente or la posizione ed or l' espressione di ciascuna figura e, mentre l'orecchio ode le lugubri marce funebri, il suo cuore or palpita; or si commuove ed or s' intenerisce, man mano che si vede innanzi il Cenacolo dove l' infame Giuda pensa a tradire il suo divino maestro, or il Sommo pontefice Caiphas, che condanna il re dei giudei, ed or il monte Calvario, sul quale il Nazareno ha già reso l'ultimo anelito all'eterno padre. Inizia coi piccoli principi si, ma con grandi sforzi e fatiche dopo aver superato tanti e poi tanti ostacoli dopo alquanti anni finalmente l'entusiasmo e la gara fra i diversi ceti ha fatto sì che di anno in anno i vari gruppi di cui essi sono proprietari si siano abbelliti con arte e arricchiti di lumi. E il visitatore che ha veduto per la prima volta la processione, non rimane sazio, no, egli vuol osservarla una seconda volta ancora, e più che la vede più bella e imponente gli sembra. Ritorna al proprio paese, descrive alla famiglia, ai parenti e ad amici quanto ha veduto, e l' anno seguente la mattina del Giovedì Santo, non è egli solo che ritorna a Caltanissetta a vedere la processione, ma è uno stuolo e una carovana di amici e parenti che egli conduce seco, avendo colla sua descrizione detailed awakened in them the desire to see also the important and wonderful procession. And are they really the case to say not only that it is perhaps only in Italy but even that can better compete hill processions, both for the 'order, which for the duration, the length, yet the magnificence in face art and the richness of the Enlightenment. "

- Michele Alessi - 1892 (I remember the procession of Holy Thursday in Caltanissetta, p.. 4, 5 and 6).

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The day of Holy Thursday

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Vare Although the procession will start only in the late afternoon, all day is full of fascino.Sin dawn, in fact, the Vare, still dusty after the long years spent at the museum, are exhibited in the streets of the city, but especially in the historic center. During the morning and early afternoon, the Vare are clean and beautifully decorated with beautiful flower arrangements and candles for the evening.

The place of 'decoration of each group, which may vary from year to year, it was decided between the owners (usually chooses an area near the home or the activity of one of them).

Throughout the city there is a 'happy and suggestive atmosphere, then the old town, full of people, it is of an unusual beauty. In all the streets della città suonano allegre marce diverse bande musicali, provenienti da vari luoghi della Sicilia, le stesse bande che accompagneranno le Vare nella processione; è tradizione che ogni banda, esegua una marcia davanti il Palazzo del Municipio, come per rendere omaggio alle autorità cittadine.

In cattedrale, è un via vai di gente che assiste alla solenne Messa durante la quale vengono benedetti gli oli sacri, che, durante l'arco dell'anno, verranno usati per i vari sacramenti.
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L' INCONTRO

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Il tramonto del sole porta via con sé la spensieratezza e l' allegria, e le bande, che sono sparse un po' in tutta la città accompagnando each of the Vare, completely change directory, leaving the gay marches have cheered all day now run funeral marches and songs recalling the passion.

At dusk, one of the most mysterious and intense moments of the day: all Vare, having been specially decorated for the whole day, met in the central square, forming a circle around the Triton Fountain. They arrive in the dark, in a sea of \u200b\u200bpeople, in fact, "says a needle-like Alessi - thrown into the air in the fall can not find the spot" (Farina-Scimeone 1993, p. 11)..

Each is accompanied by the band and processionary. It is as if, in short, the long procession was divided into sixteen shares. Each

Vara when he enters the square, before earning their place within the circle, along a couple of times around the square, as if to give a greeting to the Vare already in place and the people around there.

"Supper", which is the first of the procession, is placed under the church of San Sebastiano, and instead "The Sorrows" which is the last, is placed under the Town Hall, thus forming a complete circle. There are already twenty when all Vare gathered in the square. They, are there to remember the passion of Jesus, those images seem to tell those present that time. Each

Vara is now no longer alone as it is was during the day, joining the other has a profound meaning, any Vara becomes a "station" of the Passion of Jesus every Vara, now, it is the most real and intense about what happened 2000 years ago Jesus of Nazareth, for save the world, was arrested and brutally murdered.

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THE PROCESSION

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Holy Thursday is one of the most felt by the population with a solemn procession of Caltanissetta Vare. There are moments, these, in which the city has to scream to the world his true identity, moments that each year attract thousands of tourists and nissen.

After stopping in the central square, around twenty hours, the dinner begins to move, and starts the procession, which was expected since the dawn of the lively city. It may not seem possible that something Vare capable of passing in that sea of \u200b\u200bpeople, yet it happens.

The parade, starting from the square, along the old town of Nyssa. It almost seems to announce the Vare go to the streets to every man that day is a day of prayer, which Christ dies.

Each group is accompanied by a marching band, and is preceded by the class to which it belongs in two rows, and a group of boys in white tunic, carrying candles in hand, candles and traditional "Bilannuna," or holding up the flares, that sticks topped with a candle particular that, once lit, lights up the Vare and smoke filled the streets for which the procession passes. The shadows of the towering illuminated Vare, are reflected in the houses, balconies, full of people, who, looking out, witnessing the procession. At some stops, the Vare are ceremoniously greeted by the glimmering of a number of fireworks shows.

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PATH
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Over the centuries have changed dramatically "paths", ie the streets along the procession, over time, for various reasons, has been lengthened and shortened.

ancient times (at the time of 'Alessio) Vare gathered in the square Calatafimi, then under the arcades of the College. Today, starting from Piazza Garibaldi, the procession goes to Sant 'Agata and from there take the narrow street, King of Italy (' strata 'and saints), the latter road, it is difficult to follow, as well as for great deal of each Vara that can hardly pass, even by the number of pilgrims.

Very important step in this direction, because it was once inhabited by Biangardi. It is traditional in fact, in any procession of statues built by Biangardi, the passage in this way, so as to define it "The Way of the Saints", as though the Vare, passing from one road, and constant tenessero live the memory of those who built them, as if every year they went to pay homage to their memory as to not obscure the fact that they are the people to whom we owe the procession.

The procession continued towards the church of Santa Croce ('a Batia), then to Piazza Garibaldi, continuing towards the church of Santa Lucia and from there the march down along Via Maddalena Calafato (' a Grace) and on to Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Here all the Vare stop for about an hour, while for the carriers, for the processional and musicians that takes place the traditional "Vivuta" virtually every person involved in the procession is free to rest before resuming, Vare's offer and the owners of hard-boiled eggs, pieces of cheese, "and patati UWTB cacucciuli arrustuti.

After the pause, the procession and take the steep and narrow ascent of Via XX Settembre ('strata' and thorns) that reports to Piazza Garibaldi, and the Vare, as reflected by torches of India, takes place "Spartenza.

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THE Spartenza
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After the long parade, the first sunrise on Good Friday takes place the traditional "Spartenza", a unique tradition that dates back to the first Holy Thursday procession, which although changing with the times, is still time apex of the procession.

Each group, when he returns to the Piazza Garibaldi, is welcomed by many torches flare, creating an atmosphere of high mystical value. Each Vara, passing in the dark smoke, returns to the Piazza Garibaldi recreating the provision of departure.

Vare When almost all have returned to the square, the Vara de "Our Lady of Sorrows" joins the vara de "Sacred Urn" and travel along the 'last part of the Corso Umberto and turn around the fountain.

It seems that Our Lady of Sorrows follow the 'ballot box, as if to say goodbye to her beloved son. It is a moment of great emotion, and those two seem to take life Vare.

seals la festa il tradizionale rimbombo della "maschiata" e subito dopo ogni gruppo viene portato via quasi di corsa; nel frattempo, la gigantesca maestosità della Sacra Urna sparisce dietro il massiccio portone della cattedrale.

Non è più una processione, sono momenti di grande confusione che durano però poco.

Qualche attimo dopo, ogni Vara in pochi istanti è già andata via e ormai la città dorme.

Non è più un giorno di festa, in pochi attimi la piazza rimane muta, creando la tristezza della Pace del Venerdì Santo.

"Spartenza" significa separazione, infatti anticamente le vare venivano conservate in diverse chiese della città, ed al termine della processione each group is separated from another to go to the place where he was to be guarded.

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THE ORIGINS OF THE PROCESSION

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The origins of the procession can be traced back to 700, we know that in our magnificent cathedral, called "Santa Maria La Nova, located in Piazza Garibaldi, had established a chapel dedicated to St. Philip where Blacks, in the hours pm every Sunday, they gathered the nobles, priests and civilians, as well to pay attention to the religious conference, had taken the 'habit of carrying in procession on the evening of Holy Thursday, five small "Baretto" on which were placed in small statues made of paper pulp that did not exceed 50 cm high and depicting five key moments of the Passion of Jesus

After Sunday mass, the five Barette came from the mother church and were conducted for some street procession, visiting the "graves" of some city \u200b\u200bchurch. U Sipulcru ", exactly, is the dialect version of the name given to the Eucharist solemnly placed on 'altar, richly adorned with flowers and candles.

Since there were five, and were called "Mysteries" were probably inspired by the five sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary: \u200b\u200b
1. Jesus vegetable

2. The Flagellation

3. The crowning with thorns

4. The ascent to Calvary

5. The Crucifixion.

This procession was abolished in 1801, probably because the fraternity lost its founding members.

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- Excerpt from "The Rites of Holy Week in Caltanissetta" by Francesco Miceli.
- Photo by Walter Lo Cascio.

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PHOTOS

by Walter Lo Cascio