SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL

On Tuesday, June 23, the G. Spina Municipal Library, under the patronage of the Municipality and in collaboration with the Circolino Treville Aps, is organizing the "Summer Solstice Festival" on the magical night of San Giovanni. At 9:30 pm, adults and children are invited to attend the reading of the story "The Witches of the Great Walnut Tree," based on folk tales and legends. A free copy of the story will be distributed to those in attendance. At the end, all the magical rites of the Night of San Giovanni will be observed, using herbs and flowers gathered in the late afternoon in the gardens and countryside. In particular, the public is invited to bring dried aromatic herbs to be burned on the brazier, as well as fresh flower petals to make "San Giovanni water." According to our grandmothers, on the night between June 23rd and 24th, the dew that falls from the sky is magical. If the most beautiful and fragrant freshly picked flowers are left in water under the stars, this dew will transform them into a true "potion" of well-being and happiness. This is St. John's Water, which is said to bring good luck, banish sad thoughts, and protect us throughout the year. However, it is recommended not to pick oleander (very common, but highly toxic), belladonna, lily of the valley, foxglove, or aconite. Excellent for St. John's Water, however, are: daisies and chamomile, rose petals, lavender, mint, and rosemary, but above all St. John's Wort (the true flower of St. John, with its yellow petals) and clover. On this very special night, pagan rites celebrated the summer solstice (June 20-21), the days when the sun reaches its peak shining in the sky and the nights are the shortest of the year. It is a time of transition when the boundary between material reality and the invisible world, it is said, becomes thinner and more penetrable. The Night of San Giovanni is rich in rituals and legends throughout Europe: it is the "night of opposites" when the moon marries the sun, water dances with fire, light and shadow merge, and bonfires are lit for protection and purification. For example, women in the South would spread enormous sheets across the meadows all night, wringing them out just before dawn to collect the precious dew, while witches would gather unripe walnuts to make the famous nocino liqueur with its powerful healing properties. It is no coincidence that this date has earned the nickname Witches' Night, precisely because of its wealth of magic, meaning, and mystery. During the evening organized by the Library, the Queen of the Witches of Treville will be elected again this year, in remembrance of the tradition of the Night of the Witches. Once all the propitiatory rites have been completed (re-proposed both in homage to tradition, but even more to entertain the children), from 10 pm the Summer Solstice Festival will continue with folk dances led by the accordion of maestro Vincenzo Caglioti: a wonderful opportunity to learn about the popular circle dance and the many dances that accompany it.