Novoli (Lecce)
Piazza Aldo Moro - 73051

The "Fòcara 2009"/ Photography Section is an offshoot of the annual programme held in Novoli during the month of  January with religious and folkloristic events to celebrate the name day of St. Antonio Abate, Patron Saint of the city, including the bonfire ritual known as the "Fòcara”, as a moment of pride of a people and a tradition that aspires to world recognition as an "intangible heritage" of humanity.
An element brimming with symbolism relating to the rural heritage of the territory, the Fòcara is an enormous bonfire fuelled with dried grapevines that are masterfully bundled together and piled high, thanks to an age-old technique that is passed down from one generation to another. The result is a pyre with a girth of 20 metres and height of 25 metres, unequalled anywhere in Italy or in the Mediterranean basin, which is lit in the evening of January 16 in honour of St. Antonio Abate. This impressive ”rural construction", which is lit on the eve of the festivities with a hail of fireworks, represents the core attraction of the celebrations.
The theme of the “Fòcara” photography competition is intended to promote an expressive form of the art as a means of testifying to and describing moments related to the history of a culture and popular traditions. The selection of this theme is motivated by its belonging to fire arts, thereby marking other contexts in local history in the evolution of the use of objects and forms that are burnt into the collective memory.
The registration form for the competition is attached to the announcement. This registration form must be submitted by no later than 12 o'clock on January 10, 2009, under penalty of exclusion from the competition.

For more information:
Comune di Novoli -  Cultural Events Office
Tel.: (+39)0832712695
e-mail: cultura@comune.novoli.le.it

More in Depth: Click here

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Updated on: 09/01/2009

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