Florence’s ‘Rificolona’ Paper Lantern 2017 Fest

Thurs. 7: RIFICOLONA (Paper Lantern Festival).

Every year, Catholics commemorate September 8 as the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. In Florence, there is a special tradition associated with feast: on the eve of the Nativity, residents celebrate the Festa della Rificolona, the Festival of Paper Lanterns.

In Renaissance times, peasant farmers and craftsmen from neighboring villages would travel into the city to celebrate, and to sell their produce and wares at feast day markets. In order to arrive on time to Mass, many would set off before sunrise, carrying lanterns to light the way before gathering in front of the Church of the Most Holy Annunciation (Santissima Annunziata), a sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Today’s participants take part in a procession through the streets of Florence, also carrying colorful candle-lit lanterns, now made of paper.

This year’s parade begins 8:30 pm from Piazza Santa Felicità where a number of modern-pilgrims will have arrived on foot from Impruneta after starting their walk at 2:30 pm.  Residents and visitors will join in the procession that will wind its way through Piazza della Signoria and via Calzaiuoli to piazza San Giovanni, where Giuseppe Betori, Cardinal of Florence, will greet and bless the crowd before it proceeds up via dei Servi, ending in Piazza Santissima Annunziata. There, city officials will give speeches followed by live music, entertainment and celebration.  A prize will be awarded to the most attractive handmade rificolona.  For the occasion, the Church of SS Annunziata in the square will be open to the public between 9 and 11 pm.

Earlier, families are also invited to take pat in the fourth annual Summer Sunset Rificolona Festival on Lungarno Beach at Piazza Poggi.  At 5:30 pm children are to sign up to participate in the festivities.  From 7 – 8 pm, kids can decorate a biodegradable paper lanterns offered in exchange for a small donation that will go to a nonprofit that supports migrant children.

At sunset, the artists and their families will cruise the Arno river on inflatable boats to set afloat the lanterns.  Those who have not taken part in the workshop can also embark by bring their own biodegradable lantern from home.  Ten lanterns will contain wishes, written on slips of paper, on the theme of a better world where people no longer risk their lives migrating via sea in the hope of a better life.  A buffet of Tuscan specialties is available afterwards.

A postscript to the Rificolona celebrations will take place on Sept. 8 along the Arno at Lungarno de’ Medici starting at 8:30 pm. Candles, torches and illuminated paper lanterns will illuminate the lawn of the Società Canottieri Firenze (Florence Boat Club), which will host entertaining acts by clowns and marionettes, with awards given out during a rificolona contest. Families will be offered the opportunity to take a complimentary boat ride on the Arno.