The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-02
QUEER FESTIVAL OF THE clcLls.
When italian Strong Men Garry Huge Sky
Scraping Obelisks ON Their Shoulders.

Every year on Oct. there is cele-
brated in the village of Nolsa, in south
ern Italy, a fete that is remarkable in
many of its features and entirely unlike
any other that is known, says the N.
7. World. The fete in question is dedi-
Gated to the patron ST. Paul, who in a
voyage to Constantinople was captured
by corsairs when near Pompeii and was
treated as those gentlemen usually treat
ed their guests, Paul escaped. however.
and reached Nola, where he found food
and shelter.
On the day of the fete yearly the
streets Of the little town are crowded
with people from all over the surround
ing country who come especially to as
sist in the glorifcation of the gigli, as
it is called. The gigli (lily) is sort of
obeiisk OF papier mache, mounted on a
framework of wood. decorated with
angels in gold, with mosaics, and sur
mounted with a statue of the saint him.
self.
The obelisks are in the same form as
those of white marble which ornament
the squares of San Dominica Magiore
and Trinita Maggiore in Naples. They
have four or five platforms, on the first
of which a dozen musicians are placed
with their instruments. These towers,
or gighs, are 80 feet high and weigh
from 800 to 1.0Oe pounds.
The originality of the spectacle con-
sists in the fact that forty men carry
each of these giglis around on their
shoulders. Ten men are appointed to
each side of the base of the obelisk,
which is provided with poles for the
purpose, and the men walk off with it,
dance with 1t and otherwise disport
themselves to the great amusement of
the crowd.
tall giglis, each devoted to different
trade-bakers, cabinetmakers, tailors.
grocers, workers in iron, butchers and
builders. Each trade constructs its own
tower and tops it with the patron saint
of its particular selection.
In the rear of the parade is gigantic
bark carried in the same manner as the
obelisks. This bark is intended to show
the sort of Craft in which st. Paul was
when the corsairs took charge of him.
To make the situation still more realistic
there are dozen or more men in the
bark dressed as pirates.
The procession of towers meets in the
mo1nlnS on the great square OF the town
before the cathedral. In the midst of a
tremendous crowd the band from the
cavalry regiment in the garrison breaks
forth with inspiring music, the mob
cheers and the procession makes ready
to start. And then there is an uproari
The bells on all the churches ring,
the whistles blow, the throng throws
bombs, the carriers lift up their burdens
of papier mache, the orchestras on the
first stage of the towers strike up the
air of polka and then the procession
starts OFF, the carriers keeping time to
the polka in their steps.
At the first stroke of noon the doors
of the cathedral are thrown open and
procession of priests emerges bearing
the relics of ST. Paul and followed by
the members of the congregation. The
procession then makes q tour of the
city. At 1890 the entire population
seats itself in restaurant and cabaret to
enjoy lunch. The festivities last through
the rest of the day and far into the
night. The unique fete is always cele-
brated on Oct. /.