PhD Program in Historical studies
The Masters of the Feast of Nola
While the last Gigli complete the procession, the new cycle festive begins anew: “Sta festa tanno nasce, quanno more” (“This feast begins anew when it dies”). At midnight, in fact, the aspiring Masters of the Feast belonging to the eight categories of workers in the town (gardeners, grocers, tavern-keepers, bakers, butchers, shoemakers, blacksmiths and tailors) go to the ceremony of transfer, a ritual in which contenders will compete for participation in the next Gigli, which is assigned according to seniority (but also due to the economic importance of the committee). The BarcaThe Barca of Nola is a scenic wooden “machine” which houses inside a dancing Moor (“o Turco” in the local dialect). It is a scenic element designed to portray the ship that would bring back to Nola the saint and his fellow prisoners. The boat parade along with the Gigli on the Sunday following 22 June. (literally the boat), is instead allotted to a group of youths. Once they are given the role, the committees formed by the Masters recipients were immediately put to work to choose the workshop that will be entrusted with the construction of the Gigli and the people who will be entrusted with composing the verses and music which will mark the pace of the obelisks. The funds to perform this difficult task are collected through alms.