Festa della Rificolona: Festival of the Paper Lanterns

Friday night was supposed to be the roomies and I's "night-in."  Sad right?  I was feeling pumped and energized but I guess my roomies aren't exactly used to intensive walks so going to San Niccolo was a total workout for them!  It was gonna be a dinner and a movie kinda night with the roomies!  But halfway through Batman, we heard a loud commotion outside our windows and rushed over to see what was going on.  There was a parade band and large crowds of people following the band with what looked to be paper lanterns held at the end of a stick!  Even though we wanted a quiet night in, we couldn't resist missing out on this and rushed out the door to follow the crowd!

Apparently it was the annual Festa della Rificolona or the Festival of the Paper Lanterns.  This festival is always held on September 8th, the day that the Virgin Mary is assumed to be born.  The festival is held in her honor and since the large basilica of Santissima Annunziata in Firenze is dedicated to the worship of the Virgin Mary, the festival takes place in Firenze.  Back in the olden days, this festival was one of the primary reasons to make the pilgrimage to Firenze and many farmers, peasants, workers, etc. would bring with them large amounts of their goods such as cheeses, honey, the season's vegetables, and handmade items.  Since the journey began at dawn, paper lanterns held at the end of a stick were used to guide their way.  This tradition is continued annually in Firenze on the night of September 8th.  The cardinal leads the crowd through the streets of Firenze from Piazza Felicita to Piazza Santissima Annunziata, where a short speech is given and a party ensues afterwards.

This cutie saw me trying to take pictures of him and he smiled for the camera! 

Paper Lanterns 

The crowd at Piazza Santissima Annuziata

They offered to pose for the camera c:

I'm really glad I actually got to see this take place!  The paper lanterns that the children were carrying through the streets were so colorful and beautifully made.  Many of the boys were carrying spit wads with them and spitting at the lanterns, which I still can't figure out, but it made me wish I were a kid again so I could join them in all the fun they were having!  Hopefully some day I'll make it back to Florence to participate in this festival!