Online Italian travel guide for your next Italian vacation including culture and heritage.

On March 19th, Italy will celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph, or La Festa di San Giuseppe. It also serves as a Father's Day celebration. St. Joseph was declared the patron saint of the Universal Church by Pope Pius IX in 1870.

The origin dates back to when there was a terrible drought in Sicily. The people prayed to St. Joseph, asking him to bring rain. When the rains came, the people celebrated and prepared a large feast to thank him. Large tables of food were prepared in public and crowds of people gathered to celebrate and feast, alongside with the poor people.

Current St. Joseph's Day tradition in Italy
It is customary to donate food to the needy as was done in the original feast and also customary to wear red.

Culinary Delights
Zeppole is the most popular St. Joseph's Day Feast. It is made by making a fried pastry shell and inserting ricotta filling (similar to what is found inside a cannoli). It can also be filled with vanilla or chocolate. St. Joseph's cream puffs, or Sfinge di San Giuseppe can usually be found at any Italian bakery during the month of March.

Labels: festa di san giuseppe, sfinge di san giuseppe, st. joseph's day, zeppole

March 8th marks "La Festa della Donna" in Italy, or also known as International Woman's Day around the world. It is a day to cherish and honor the woman in your life while appreciating women's accomplishments in business, politics, the arts, medicine, etc. Many believe the origins date back to 1857 as the result of a labor movement and strike in a New York City garment shop.

The tradition in Italy involves giving a yellow Mimosa flower to your wife, daughter, mother, etc. Women will even often give flowers to other women on this day. The flower represents the beginning of Spring. Food traditions include the making of zeppole and fritelle. Many museums in Italy will offer free admission for women. Other venues will also offer free admission for women on this day. Many men will also take their wife, girlfriend, etc. out to dinner.

Some women will make it a girl's night out and celebrate via bachelorette-party style, happy hour, etc. It is almost like a rebellious celebration or affirmation of womanhood. Adult celebrations have been known to include phallic-shaped pastries, etc. No matter what, it's a beautiful celebration and one that should be celebrated with more importance in every country of the world.

Labels: festa della donna, fritelle, mimosa flower, zeppole