In the heart of Umbria, the town of Gubbio comes to life every 15 May with the Festa dei Ceri, one of the oldest folkloristic events in Italy. This event, which has its roots in the twelfth century, is a tribute to Sant’Ubaldo Baldassini, bishop and patron of the city, whose death in 1160 marked the beginning of a tradition that continues to live with unchanged passion
Origins and meaning
The Feast of Candles has origins that are intertwined between faith and tradition. According to tradition, the celebration was born as an act of devotion towards Saint Ubaldo, with the medieval guilds that offered votive candles to the saint. Over the centuries, these candles were transformed into three wooden structures, about four meters high, surmounted by statues of Saint Ubaldo, Saint George and Saint Anthony Abbot, representatives respectively of masons, merchants and farmers
The race and its protagonists
The highlight of the festival is the Corsa dei Ceri, a procession in which “ceraioli” carry on their shoulders the heavy candles through the narrow streets of Gubbio, to the basilica of Sant’Ubaldo located on Mount Ingino. The race is characterized by an overwhelming energy, with the ceraioli that, dressed in the distinctive colors of their saint (yellow for Sant’Ubaldo, blue for San Giorgio and black for Sant’Antonio), move with agility and coordination, supported by the enthusiasm of the crowd.
A living cultural heritage
The Feast of Candles is not only a religious event, but a symbol of the Eugubin identity. Since 1973, the three candles have become the official symbol of the Umbria Region, represented in its banner and flag. In 2013, the festival was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO, along with other Italian events characterized by the transport of large machines on shoulder .
The Feast of Candles in Gubbio is an extraordinary example of how a community can keep alive a secular tradition, adapting it to the times without distorting its essence. At a time when many traditions are in danger of disappearing, events like this remind us of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage, not only as a memory of the past, but as a vital force for the future.
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