No Epiphany celebration in Eastern Veneto is complete without a “foghera”: a bonfire of wood, hay and straw stubble, which is lit on the evening of 5 January as a symbol of purification and rebirth in a new life. It first emerged centuries ago as a pagan ritual and it has been passed down to the present day, although now it is simply a time to come together and celebrate. A “foghera” is lit in most towns in Eastern Veneto to bring luck to the community for the year ahead. Onlookers usually have a glass of mulled wine and a slice of “pinsa”: a traditional cake from the Veneto/Friuli area. Like many others, the foghera in Concordia Sagittaria is lit on a raft on the water and made even more spectacular by lighting effects and stunning fireworks. It is also fairly common in the local area to find small “homemade” bonfires built by the residents of individual districts or streets, which they burn privately.

PROGRAMME:

Guided tour of Concordia Sagittaria and the Roman excavations. As it gets dark, we will watch the lighting of the “foghera” and then have a traditional dinner with seasonal dishes in a typical local restaurant.