Festa Del Giglio (55 images)

The feast of the giglio began in the southern Italian village of Nola, in the early fifth century in honor of it's bishop, Paolino. Over the centuries, the tradition grew more elaborate, hulking flower-laden steeples of wood, 50 feet or more in height decorated with liles or gigli, are carried through the streets on the shoulders of hundreds of men, in remembrance of the return of Paolino to Nola. When Nolani immigrants landed in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in the late 1880's, they brought the...
more »

The feast of the giglio began in the southern Italian village of Nola, in the early fifth century in honor of it's bishop, Paolino. Over the centuries, the tradition grew more elaborate, hulking flower-laden steeples of wood, 50 feet or more in height decorated with liles or gigli, are carried through the streets on the shoulders of hundreds of men, in remembrance of the return of Paolino to Nola. When Nolani immigrants landed in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in the late 1880's, they brought the feast with them. Today, these towers and a boat (la barca) are in its 121st year. The feast runs for 12 days and culminates on or around the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16th. During this period, there is continuous celebration of religious activities in the church (daily masses, novenas and processions) and secular activities in the streets (social events, food concessions, and, games and chance). In addition to its socio-religious aspects, the feast generates needed revenue for the Shrine Church of Our Lady Mount Carmel.
« less