Tutti i Santi

All Saint's Day November 1 & 2

This includes the 'Day of the Dead' (or 'Memorial Day'). In its original form, this was the last night of the Celtic year in which the worlds of the living and the dead merged greatly increasing the powers of devils and evil spirits and allowing shadows to walk the land. The early Catholic Church, as one might imagine, disagreed with this and, through a series of merges with holidays honoring saints and calendar changes, was able to tame the holiday into it's present variation of Halloween. It's also an important religious holiday in which the Saints are celebrated with a day off work and excursions to visit family and friends (visits to the cemetery and the church are also usually on the agenda). In recent years, many Italians have begun costuming their children up for school and walks in the main piazza. Silly string usually flies everywhere mixing with the confetti that gets thrown about in joyful fits (stay out of the way of pressurized shaving cream spray). Most service and retail establishments close on the first and open on the second except in the more southern regions which have the tendency to remain shuttered for both days. The snack of the hour is always 'bones of the dead' which are available in most pastry shops and have been a mainstay of the holiday for centuries.

Saffron Harvest and Celebration in Tuscany

During the entire month of November, small farmers in the small hill town of San Gimignano (more famous for its mysterious towers and Chianti wine than its saffron), begin to harvest the purple Crocus sativus flowers whose stems contain the precious red powder that turns a brilliant yellow when cooked. Il Croco, an organization founded by Brunello Bertelli, is fighting to preserve many of the region's vanished gastronomic traditions including it's once glorious past with saffron. Today, this city near Siena, has become the Tuscan leader in saffron production. A recent study by the University of Turin found the overall quality of San Gimignano saffron to be greater than that of other varieties, based on the Tuscan saffron's exceptional aroma.
For information visit www.traveleurope.it/sangimignano.htm


Truffles in San Giovanni d'Asso

This city, neatly nestled beside the Valley d'Orcia in the heart of Crete Senesi, becomes the self-proclaimed White Truffle Capital of Italy for the first two weekends of November. The programs for these days include organized tastings of Truffles, Truffle dishes, extra-virgin olive oils and locally produced wines. There are seminars put on by Truffle Experts, competitions between the Truffle-hunting hounds and musical performances by well-known groups. The photo to the right is a Truffle field where the roots are cultured. A visitor to this festival will not only learn a great deal about the elusive and poorly understood root, but will witness some of the most beautiful countryside that Italy has to offer!

International Wine Festival in Bolzano

Held in the Kurhaus Merano-Kursaal during the first weekend of November, this is a type of wine tasting that features the best Bordeaux wines from over 100 wineries that are chosen specifically for the quality of their product. A 'Grand Jury of Europe' will be present which includes some of the best noses in the business, who will determine which wine walks off with the grand prizes. From 10:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (0473-210.011).

International Horse Show and exhibition of equestrian activities and equipment in Verona

The event takes place at Polo Fieristico, (viale del Lavoro, 8) in Verona. Horses, trainers, competitors and observers arrive from all corners of the world for this event, which includes English riding events (primarily) and western riding events, which take place in an arena called the Westerndromo (originally constructed specially for competition between the legendary American Apaloosas, Paints and Quarter Horses). There is also the Italian Grand Champion Dressage competition; Grand Champion jumping competitions; International Grand Premium obstacle course competition; racing; pony categories; under age 21 competition and prizes; hunting demonstrations; sporting spectaculars; giant displays of equestrian equipment and countless stalls of horse-paraphernalia vendors hawking their wares. On the opening day of the event (Sunday) there is a regal parade with period costumes and decorated horses, through the city. During the events, there are authentic period horse-drawn carriages that will taxi you from the city centre to the grounds of the event. The grounds also within walking distance of the well preserved ruins of the third largest Roman arena in Italy (which in its time could seat 21,000 people) and the house and balcony from below which Romeo supposedly serenaded Juliet. It's an absolutely stupendous city and an event not to be missed, under any circumstances, by horse lovers.

Publication Date: 2002-11-03
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=1944