March indeed is a time of festivity and feasting for the Italians. From celebrating new blooms to weather changes, March is also the time when Italians celebrate St. Joseph's Day or their Father's Day. While the Americans celebrate their Father's Day in the month of June, the Italians honor their dads on the 19th of March, known as St. Joseph's Day, to commemorate San Guiseppe - a fatherly symbol of love, compassion, kindness, generosity and acceptance. The Italian name for Father's Day is 'Festa del Papa'. San Guiseppe or Saint Joseph, father of Jesus Christ is honored on this day. This day is celebrated mainly in the Roman Catholic countries. In Italy, it is usually celebrated with grand feast and fanfare. Households prepare traditional spreads of special Italian breads and cookies. This is the day when families show their gratitude to their fathers with favors and gifts. Read on to know more about Father's Day in Italy.
St. Joseph's Day in Italy
St. Joseph's Day, or Father's Day, is primarily a day of feasting over sweet Italian delicacies. Read on to know more on Father's Day celebrations in Italy.
Father's Day : Father's Day around the World : Father's Day in Italy
Father's Day in Italy
- Father's Day or St. Joseph's Day is also known as Feast Day in Italy. On this day, the Italians engage in some traditional activities and children's usually hand out gifts to their dads.
- Italians just love to celebrate. And St. Joseph's Day or Father's Day is no exception. This day is a huge rage in many parts of the country and is extremely popular in the northern part of Italy. Florence and Rome, this festivity is marked with several days of live music and dancing, and of course, food and drink.
- Earlier, this day was a national holiday in Italy. People also wore shamrock or green attires to commemorate this day. The contemporary celebrations include people going out on street parades, a yearly ritual, on this day.
- Father's Day in Italy is celebrated with family get-togethers and traditional San Giuseppe desserts that vary from region to region. In the south, zeppole (deep-fried dough balls) and bigné (cream puffs) are prepared and in the north, frittelle (fritters) are eaten to mark the occasion.
- In some places, people lit up bonfires or pageants to celebrate this day. Traditional donkey race is still held in some parts of Italy on this day.
- There is a tradition of sharing gifts. Children usually buy gifts to their fathers as a sign of honor and reverence.
- People go to church and offer their Prayers to Saint Joseph, a reverend father figure on this day. After daily mass, they go out on the streets and greet their fathers as a symbol of love, compassion and respect.