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The night of desires

August 10, 2021

In Italy, the night of August 10 represents the night of wishes because according to tradition, those who see a shooting star cross the sky can make a wish and be sure that it will come true.

In fact, it is a rather common astronomical phenomenon that occurs every year from the end of July to the end of August, when the Perseid meteor shower crosses the earth's orbit creating a real shower of stars.
The Perseids are popularly called "Lacrime di San Lorenzo" because the phenomenon occurs close to the date on which, in the Christian tradition, the martyrdom of San Lorenzo is celebrated. For this reason, the shooting stars would represent the tears shed by the Saint during his torture. According to tradition, whoever remembers the saint's pain by looking at his "tears" will see a secret wish fulfilled.

In seaside villages, people gather on the beach to watch the sky fill with stars, and in some cities even fireworks.
In various regions of Italy, in the cities adhering to the Wine Tourism Movement, there is the "Calici di Stelle" event with a calendar full of events of all kinds: tastings, guided tours, themed menus proposed by great chefs, re-enactments historical sites, night walks, urban trekking, music, exhibitions, markets, cinema and theater will be framed by the associated cellars or the squares of the Città del Vino.

stelle-cadenti | GioiaNet. notte san lorenzo 2013 | LA VOCE DEL PAESE | Flickr

Surely the biggest celebrations are held in Florence, where August 10 is the popular festival par excellence. In fact, we remember the consecration of the first church in the center by Sant'Ambrogio. The celebrations include the parade of a historical procession that reaches the Basilica of San Lorenzo where a mass is celebrated through the streets of the center. During the service, the Mayor offers candles and the city receives a solemn blessing. At the end of this, in the square in front of the church, lasagna and watermelon are distributed free of charge.