This week is “Ferragosto” in Italy, a holiday that revolves around the 15th of August.
Ferragosto, originally called “Feriae Augusti,” is named after the Roman Emperor Augustus (63 B.C. – 14 A.D.).
The ancient Ferragosto was established to connect the main August festivities, providing a well-deserved period of rest, also known as the “Augustali,” after the intense labor of the preceding weeks.
In 18 B.C., Augustus decreed that this week-long holiday be observed every year by all citizens, hence the name “Feriae Augusti,” which translates to “rest (given) by Augustus.”
In modern Italy, Ferragosto coincides with the peak of summer, when the weather is very hot, and work naturally slows down.
The tradition of Ferragosto, which saw a revival during the Mussolini era, still holds strong today.
As a result, most Italians take a long break during this period.
Italy, with its long, narrow geography and mountainous backbone, sees a massive migration of people heading to vacation spots by car.
Add tourism to the mix, and you have around 30 million Italians on the move, plus millions of tourists.
To manage this surge, the government restricts the movement of large trucks, and many factories shut down due to widespread logistical disruptions.
Most industries and businesses follow suit, except for those in the tourism sector.
While some friends have shared images of alpine adventures from France and Canada, here in Italy, it is all about the sea, the sea, the sea—and, of course, wonderfully good food!
Happy Ferragosto to all of you!