September 2, 2024

The Feast of Rificolona in Florence

Saturday 7 September the city fills with coloured lanterns

The origin of this magical feast of the Rificolona is all Florentine and has been handed down among the boys of Florence the custom of carrying around coloured paper lanterns, modelled in the most varied and bizarre shapes, with a small light inside, hanging from the top of a cane, dates back in all probability to the mid-seventeenth century, and is linked to the arrival in the city of many farmers and mountain dwellers who, with their women, They came to the city to celebrate the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in the Basilica of Santissima Annunziata in Florence, taking advantage of the occasion to sell their wares at the market fair held the next day in the square in front of the Basilica, in Via dei Servi and in the immediate vicinity.

In order to find a good place to sell their wares, these settlers would leave their homes long beforehand and, at night, would light up their uncertain path with lanterns of various shapes hanging from sticks, canes or poles. And it was with these multicoloured paper or cloth lanterns, open at the top to allow the candle or tallow from the bowl to burn, that they arrived in Florence the evening before the fair, bivouacking at night in the loggias of the church of Santissima Annunziata and the other buildings in the square where, by the flickering light of their lanterns, they sang lauds to the Virgin until late at night.

There are numerous events to celebrate the feast of the Rificolona in Florence on 7 September:

On Saturday, Sept. 7, the National Archaeological Museum is open extraordinarily from 6 to 10 p.m. with a varied program of initiatives for all, included in the entrance fee, and with the extraordinary opening of the corridor of the present-day Palazzo delle Crocetta, home of the museum, and the “Coretto” of Maria Maddalena de' Medici overlooking the Basilica of the Santissima Annunziata for a never-before-seen look at the festive square, in anticipation of the evening's religious celebrations. At 6 p.m. On the trail of Mary Magdalene de' Medici the educational workshop for children ages 5 to 11. At 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. special opening for all of the Mary Magdalene Corridor and the Coretto. At 6:15 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., the two tours with director Daniele Federico Maras Let's talk about masterpieces: the Chimera and the Arringer. At 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., guided tours of the Egyptian section The Lords of Life. Discovering the sarcophagi of the Egyptian Museum. At 7:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., restorer Giulia Basilissi will explain The restoration of the Museum's great bronzes: the case of the Medici-Riccardi Horse's Head and the Minerva.
Pattinaggio il Boschetto, Via di Soffiano - 7 p.m.: Skating exhibition with local young talents, followed by a baby dance session for the little ones. There will be a parade of rificolones and an award ceremony for the most beautiful. All accompanied by food and lots of fun for the whole family.
Giardino della Casa del Popolo, Via Pisana 809 - 6.30 pm: The ‘Il Ponte’ Association organises an evening of music, games and entertainment. A free raffle for all children present. The evening will continue with the traditional parade of illuminated Rificolone in the evocative Giardino del Bindolo.
Gasometro, Via dell'Anconella 5 - Starting at 6 p.m.: Big party in Gasometro Park with a programme full of activities: 6 - 7.30 p.m.: raffle and pop-up construction workshops for children, organised by the Cooperativa L'Abbaino and the Fondazione Angeli del Bello (while materials last). Also, free-access activities organised by the Associazione Gli Anelli Mancanti. 7.30 p.m. - 9 p.m.: Concert by the group ‘Le figliole’ in the Mondolfiera Playhouse Garden. 21.00 - 22.30: Music for all ages with Luca Lux, at the Circolo Culturale Età Libera. Free ice cream for all children in the neighbourhood. 21.30 - 23.30: Dj Set at the Santarosa Bistrot, to end the evening on a high note.
BiblioteCaNova Isolotto, Via Chiusi - 6 September 5 p.m.: ‘Ona - ona - ona, ma che bella Rificolona’ - Fun readings for children and a workshop to build their own colourful rificolona. The event must be booked in advance.
Circolo Pensionati Isolotto, Via delle Mimose 8 - 6 p.m.: Distribution of sweets for the little ones, followed at 6.30 p.m. by penne al ragù for all those present. The evening will be enlivened by music and raffles. 8.30 pm: Procession of the Rificolone to Piazza dell'Isolotto for the final blessing.
Vogel Bistrot - Parco di Villa Vogel, via Canova 77 - ONA ONA la RIFICOLONA, celebrates the park of Villa Vogel the celebration of the RIFICOLONA from 8 p.m. with make-up for children, baby dance and modelling balloons; 9.30 p.m. lighting of the Rificolone