Fogheraccia di San Giuseppe | |
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Also called |
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Observed by | |
Type | Cultural and agricultural |
Significance | Celebrating Saint Joseph's Day and the March equinox |
Celebrations | Bonfires, concerts |
Date | 18 April |
Next time | 18 April 2025 |
Frequency | Annual |
Related to | Saint Joseph's Day |
The Fogheraccia di San Giuseppe (Romagnol: fugaràza 'd San Jusèf, also fugaréna, fugaràcia, or fugaròina), also known as the Focarina,[1] is an annual public bonfire lit on the evening of 18 March, the vigil of Saint Joseph's Day, in the historical region of Romagna, northern Italy,[2] and San Marino.[3]
The tradition is believed to be of Roman or Celtic origin.[1][4] The bonfires, which are accompanied by music and food stands,[5][4] are especially popular in Rimini,[2] where they extend the length of the city's coastal conurbation from Cattolica to Cesenatico.[1] Inland, the bonfires are sometimes anticipated in the similar tradition of Lòm a Merz (transl. Lights of March),[4][6] held between late February and early March.[6][7]