We are currently in the middle of the 4 day religious festival for Blessed Antonio, the patron of Amandola, who was born in 1355. His remains are in a sanctuary in Saint Augustine's church in Piazza Risorgimento.
Apart from the religious aspect with Masses, processions and benediction, there are are also the non-religious events such as the Sagra della Fregnaccia (a "fregatura" is a swindle, a trick and the "fregnaccia" is what looks like canneloni but there is nothing in the middle!), the magic show for children which was on last night; Flavio Band which will sing covers of popular Italian songs; That's Amore on Sunday night - a tribute to the swing bands, Frank Sinatra and similar. Sunday morning is the Canestrelle - a type of harvest procession.
The piazza is decorated with great wheels of woven straw, dried poppies and sunflowers. It looks great! Each shop front has the Amandola yellow & red flag hanging from a staff perpendicular to the walls. An Australian girl currently working here asked me (tongue-in-cheek) why they had the surf lifesaving flags up.....
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