The Giglio (pronounced "Jeely-o") is a wooden tower about 75-85 feet tall that is decorated with a papier-mache face of Saint Anthony, flanked by painted flowers and decorations. The tower is fixed on a wooden base and the whole structure combined weighs about 8,000 pounds, or 3,600 kilograms.
I went along to yesterday's Festa del Giglio in East Harlem and it was the most fun and vibrant celebration I've witnessed in a really long time. The day started with a Mass at the Roman Catholic Church to bless the "Paranza" (the team of lifters who end up hoisting the giant Giglio structure on their shoulders, carrying/dancing it down the street). After Mass, a couple of guys led a procession out of the church, holding a smaller Saint Anthony statue aloft, and we all followed them to where the Giglio had been set up, about a block away. All the while, a jaunty band played tunes and we all clapped and sang.
After some speeches, the national anthems of the US and Italy were sung, followed by some Italian folk songs (which I loved), and then it was show time! Men of all ages piled under the Giglio platform and raised it onto their shoulders, heaving and shuffling together in perfect teamwork.
This annual celebration doesn't just unite the little Italian community of East Harlem. It reminds them that they are part of something bigger - a truly global network of Giglio Associations - and it was lovely to hear the repeated references to "our friends and brothers in Brusciano" and beyond.
I have always been a fan of public dancing and this celebration, the Dance of the Giglio, made my weekend. You can see my photo album below:
Post by The ABCs of NYC.
