L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2018 www.italoamericano.org 14 L'Italo-Americano STEFANO DE CAROLIS S ince the beginning of time, light has been a recurrent symbol in Chris tianity and, from a liturgical point of view, it refers directly to God. Light w as cons idered a weapon against the treachery of darkness and remains still today ancestrally connected to life, love and truth. In the past, Christian coun- tries would restrain the use of luminarie, that is, candles, lamps and lights, to the interior of churches and other holy loca- tions but, with time, they became common also outside of them. In Italy, public luminarie to be used during specific holidays and feasts appeared as early as the 15th century, when local noble families would show off their w ealth competing w ith one another to create the most luxuri- ous and magnificent composi- tions. In those occasions, they would organize jousting tourna- ments and fairs for their subjects along with, of course, the plac- ing of lights and lanterns of all shapes and sizes along the vil- lage's streets. For its part, the Church, espe- cially on occasion of solemn ceremonies, would celebrate its rites in the most grandiose of manners and, at the end of litur- gical celebrations, citizens would leave churches happy and joyful, continuing with their carefree fete in the village's squares and streets, the music of marching bands and popular songs accom- panying them and the exhibitions of street artists and acrobats. Everything surrounded by a wonderful frame made of rich luminarie. Of course, in the past the numerous lamps, tarpaulin torches, lanterns and street lights, all in different sizes, were rigor- ously kindled with animal fat or lamp oil. To make decorations even richer, large structures made with wooden poles and arches, known in Italian as parature, were built: to them, glasses filled with oil and a candlewick were attached and lit one by one. Luminarie, yesterday as today, are one of the most identi- fying, even clichéd, symbols of Italy's extraordinary South. Indeed today, the numerous busi- nesses specialized in the art of luminarie still reproduce, with mastery and entirely by hand, patterns and motifs of religious origin, characterized by typical decorative elements of religious origin, enriched with numerous, colorful lights, just as they used to do in the past. They adorn streets, churches and palaces' façades and, inevitably, every- thing acquires a magical, care- free allure. Some writers of our past used to tell in their works about great fairs and their great luminarie, the feste dei lumi, where reli- gious or pagan events were cele- brated. Others wrote that "…the majestic luminarie, just like bon- fires made of lamps, enriched by large lanterns that turn into art with their decorations, with those lights that, hidden inside colored papers, embellish windows and houses in occasion of public holi- days… the feast of lights, where lanterns and lampposts are lit at night time for public cheerful- ness or to make more solemn a religious celebration." In remi- niscence of all feasts, profane and holy, luminarie were also known as la festa notturna, or "the nighttime feast," delighted by the presence of countless tiny lights that looked like suspended in the air, held up by a wire or attached to striped wooden poles, decorated with little fluttering multicolored flags. After so many centuries using lamp oil, wax (the so called can- dele steariche) or animal fat to light their wicks, at the beginning of the 1900s, thanks to new tech- nologies, small tanks of carbide and acetylene started being used instead, creating tiny, yet incredi- bly bright flames. The chemical reaction between calcium carbide and water that creates acetylene was discovered in 1862 by Friedrich Wöhler. Acetylene lamps consist of two containers on top of each other, the one below filled with calcium carbide, the one above with water. The latter, thanks to a small hole regulated by a screw, drips into the carbide, initiating the reaction that creates acety- lene, which in turn feeds the flames through a conduit running through the water container. Usu- ally, the water necessary to action acetylene lamps was sup- plied by the families, whose houses had luminarie poles mounted upon: participating to the creation of luminarie was a reason of immense pride. A great, end of the century discov- ery, that had been revolutionizing the whole lighting system of the world. Later on, with the advent of electricity and the use of incan- descent light bulbs, the creation of public luminarie became sim- pler. Today, however, the idea of eco sustainability stands at the heart of modern luminarie. The common use of wood to create their structure is associated with that of led bulbs which, with the use of computers, entirely changed the old world of lumi- narie. We should mention here that the use of led bulbs cut ener- gy consumption of about 90%. Moreover, thanks to the use of IT, 3D programming and the cre- ativity of talented and inspired Italian designers, today's lumi- narie are true works of graphic art. And when everything is ready, in that fateful moment when luminarie are lit and every- one is looking up, thousand of led lights are turned on following the music, creating a truly unique show. The technology and the art involved in the production of luminarie have become very pop- ular among foreigners visiting our country and the many inter- national customers who want to enjoy Made in Italy lights during their own celebrations. And to conclude this beautiful tale about our beloved Merid- ione, rich and alive with tradi- tions, lore, art and culture, I'd like to mention that this year, dedicated to the jubilee of Saint Oronzo (bishop and first martyr of Lecce) as wanted by Pope Francis, also Cardinal Angelo Amato, Pugliese DOC, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints spoke about luminarie in Turi. From the height of the beautifully illuminated cassar- monica, prepared in piazza Silvio Orlandi, just before commencing his homily and while speechless- ly observing via xx Settembre and its lights, he declared to the numerous faithful gathered there: "… Today, here in Turi, while looking at this extraordinary luminarie, it's almost like being in heaven." The luminarie in Turi, Bari, during the patronal feast of Saint Oronzo. Photo: Palmisano Luminarie from the early 20th century in Putigna- no, in Puglia Luminarie are a symbol of Italian tradition and craftsmanship "Lumi in aria," lights in the air: expression of art and beauty... Luminarie, a feast of lights, symbols of the luminous and of Christian devotion LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE

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