Some old traditions just never fade away…

Some old traditions just never fade away, and perhaps it’s good just that way. In the small town of Tarcento, located on the outskirts of Udine, an old tradition has been going on now for the last 83 years, the “Pignarul Grant” (the Large Pyre in the local language, Friulano).

The Pignarul, a large pyre standing close to 15 meters tall, is burned by an old Grand Sage on the 6^th of January, which is also Epiphany, a religious holiday that is observed in many countries by the Anglican, Eastern (Orthodox) and Roman Catholics churches. Epiphany is almost important as Christmas, at least for the younger generations, as it also brings an old and benevolent witch, known as the “Befana”, who brings gifts to the kiddies (and to those who have been somewhat naughty during the year, black coal!).

The Pignarul represents one of the most ancient pagan rituals in the Friuli area of Italy (northeast). It appears that the Pignarul is tied to the adoration of the god Beleno, a divinity of Celtic origins which the locals venerated though sacrifices and the lighting of large pyres. The large fire emitted by the burning Pignarul was also seen as form of Celtic purification and its ashes were eventually used to sow the fields. They were believed to bring farmers good luck and substantial harvests.

The burning of the Pignarul atop of an adjacent hill is preceded down below by an historic parade. The role of the Great Sage, with his long white beard, is that of a narrator. Once the elegant and ancient pageantry is over with, the faithful followers, in this case 15,000 people bearing small torches, follow the Great Sage up to the Pignarul and watch him as he lights the enormous pyre. For locals, there’s a rather important symbolism in his gesture: depending in which direction the smoke and ashes are taken away into the nightfall, the Great Sage determines whether the year will be a positive or negative one for locals (this year the smoke went in a north-easterly direction, signifying a positive year tinged though with some uncertainties).

The event is then capped off by a large fireworks display right next to the dying flames of the Pignarul, leaving followers with high expectations of the long and perhaps difficult year ahead of them (all pics by M. Rimati).

The event is then capped off by a large fireworks display right next to the Pignarul as its fire slowly fades away into the cold night, leaving followers with hopeful expectations of the long year ahead of them (all pics by M. Rimati). The event is then capped off by a large fireworks display right next to the Pignarul as its fire slowly fades away into the cold night, leaving followers with hopeful expectations of the long year ahead of them (all pics by M. Rimati). The event is then capped off by a large fireworks display right next to the Pignarul as its fire slowly fades away into the cold night, leaving followers with hopeful expectations of the long year ahead of them (all pics by M. Rimati). The event is then capped off by a large fireworks display right next to the Pignarul as its fire slowly fades away into the cold night, leaving followers with hopeful expectations of the long year ahead of them (all pics by M. Rimati).