In the heart of June, Vieste dresses up to honor Sant'Antonio di Padova, one of the most heartfelt and participated in celebrations by the Vieste community. The religious and civil program that accompanies these days is a succession of solemn events, moments of prayer and engaging shows, capable of uniting tradition and popular participation. Here is the program
The heart of the religious festival: June 13th
June 13th, the central day of the celebration, is marked by masses, processions and fireworks:
- 05 / 30 / 07 / 00 / 08: Holy Masses of the People and distribution of Blessed Bread (offered by Hotel Falcone, Hotel Yria and Vesta Carburanti)
- 19 hours: 00: Evening Mass celebrated by Archbishop Vincenzo D'Amiuro with the Concathedral Chapter of Vieste for the glorification of the servant of God Don Antonio Spalatro
- 20 hours: 00: Solemn procession of the Thaumaturge presided over by HE Archbishop Vincenzo D'Amiuro and the Concathedral Chapter
- 21 hours: 30: Return of the procession and fireworks display at Marina Piccola
The civil program: music, shows and illuminations
Below is the complete program of civil events accompanying the festival:
- June 7 – 20:30 pm: Guided tour “History and Cult of the Saint” – Church of San Francesco (by the Mythos Association)
- June 11 – Marina Piccola
- 19 hours: 30: Opening of the festival with the firing of firecrackers and parade of the band “Città di Vieste G. Cariglia”
- 20 hours: 00: Inauguration of the fair “The fruits of wheat and antiques of sacred art”
- 20 hours: 30: “I Madonnari” – Creations of sacred images along Corso L. Fazzini
- 20 hours: 30: Lighting of the lights (by the company “Illuminazione Carlorosi snc”)
- 20 hours: 45: “Giovanna Travaglio Memorial – St. Anthony and the Children”: music, dancing, games and lots of fun
- 21 hours: 30: Concert “TIME OUT – Max Pezzali & 883 Official Tribute Show”
- 13nd June
- 08 hours: 00: Tour of the town of the “P. Rinaldi” and “G. Cariglia” bands with the firing of firecrackers
- 17 hours: 00: Music in the square with the city's bands
- 22 hours: 00: “Febbre Italiana” – Show party with music to dance and sing (Marina Piccola)
- 24 hours: 00: Closing of the festival with a fireworks display by the company “Nuova Pirotecnica P. Pio” – Molo turistico
A solemn beginning: the introduction of the simulacrum and the Tredicina
The celebrations begin on May 30th at 18:45 p.m. with the solemn enthronement of the statue of Saint Anthony and the firing of firecrackers, a signal announcing the start of the festival. From May 31st to June 12th, every day at 18:45 p.m. the Tredicina is celebrated in honor of the Saint, a series of religious functions that culminate on the day dedicated to him.
On June 10, the Holy Mass is dedicated to the sick and elderly of the Nursing Home, a gesture of closeness from the community to the most fragile.
The heart of the religious feast of St. Anthony: June 11-13
The most touching moment is experienced on June 11, with the blessing of the children who entrust their growth to the protection of the Saint. June 13, the central day, is marked by several popular masses and the distribution of the traditional Blessed Bread, offered by various accommodation facilities in the area. At 19:21 pm, the solemn Mass is celebrated, presided over by HE Archbishop Vincenzo D'Addario and the Concathedral Chapter. Following this, the procession of the simulacrum of the Saint winds through the streets of the city, with the return and final fireworks display at Marina Piccola at 30:XNUMX pm.
The civil program: music, shows and illuminations
The civil program is equally rich and engaging. On June 7th it opens with the guided tour “History and Cult of the Saint” at the Church of San Francesco, curated by the Mythos Association.
On June 11, in Marina Piccola, the party gets into full swing with the opening of the festival, the firecracker show and the inauguration of the exhibition “The fruits of wheat and antiques of sacred art”. Along Corso L. Fazzini, the “Madonnari” are the protagonists, with their evocative creations on the street. The evening continues with the lighting of the lights and the show “Memorial Giovanna Travaglio – S. Antonio ei Bambini”, with music, games and dance.
At 21:30 pm, there will be live music with the concert “TIME OUT – Max Pezzali & 883 Official Tribute Show”, which promises to get all of Marina Piccola singing and dancing.
Grand finale on June 13th
On June 13, starting at 8 in the morning, the musical bands will tour the city, livening up the streets. In the afternoon, at 17:00 p.m., the music will continue in the square with the bands, while at 22:00 p.m. “Febbre Italiana” will start, the show party with music for everyone to dance to. The grand finale is expected at midnight, when a fireworks display will light up the sky from the Molo Turistico, curated by the company “Nuova Pirotecnica P. Pio”.
A party to experience
The feast of Sant'Antonio is an unmissable event for those who visit Vieste in June. An opportunity to immerse yourself in popular spirituality, but also to enjoy shows, music and authentic traditions. If you are planning a vacation in this period, for a relaxing vacation you can choose one of the villages in Vieste, or consult the offers to sleep in Vieste and fully enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Not just a religious celebration, but a truly collective event, which unites the sacred with the profane, history with music, tradition with participation.
