The Salento area of Puglia renews its traditional appointment with the Focara ritual at Novoli di Lecce on the 16th January 2014 when the gigantic bonfire, measuring 25 m high and 20 m in diameter, is set aoght to mark the festival of Sant'Antonio the Abbot.

The Focara, an ancient winter fire ceremony common to many European countries, has now taken on the form of the Good Fire of Puglia, messenger of peace in the world”, representing a symbolic meeting of the different Mediterranean cultures and religions.

The bonfire is made up exclusively of dried vine cuttings taken from the nearby Negroamaro Park and stacked with a technique passed down from father to son. When all is ready, a human chain hoists a dummy representing Sant'Antonio Abate up on the top. The same St. Anthony survives, however, to perform the other ancient ritual of the blessing of the animals during the Festival. The lighting of the bonfire is accompanied by spectacular firework displays and dancing round the flames in the best party spirit. The huge Focara bonfire continues to burn for many days afterwards.

Info: Fondazione Focara di Novoli:  www.fondazionefocara.com- cultura@comune.novoli.le.it