A new season begins
It’s the true start of summer in Scanno.
In our mountains, the year is marked more by meaningful celebrations than by the official dates on the calendar—celebrations tied to natural events that are vital for the survival of the village system.
The feast of St. Anthony, on June 13, is the symbol of this tradition. The memory of this celebration dates back to ancient times, and over the years little has changed from the days lived by our ancestors. St. Anthony is an important occasion—the only one celebrated over two days.
In the past, it was eagerly awaited because it marked the return of the shepherds to the village, after spending the winter months away on transhumance. It was the moment families were reunited, many men met their newborn children for the first time, and young people could finally build lasting relationships with the girls they had dreamed of during the long months of work in Apulia.
Despite appearances, the Saturday procession is the most moving, even if less grand. The goal isn’t public display, but rather to reunite with loved ones in the square of the St. Anthony convent. These were real-life moments—of long-contained emotions, solitude, and hard work finally finding relief.
The following day, families would parade in festive clothes, bringing offerings to the saint: wood pulled or carried by mules and oxen adorned with flowers, and little loaves of bread in decorated baskets. Today the oxen have been replaced by tractors, just like in daily work, but nothing has truly changed… every year, “St. Anthony still receives them.”
