Private Story
Gigli di Nola
Inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, in 2013, the festival for St. Paulinus, Bishop of Nola, includes one of the liturgical procession featuring shoulder-borne processional structures, called Gigli (Lilies).The 25 meter high wooden obelisks, covered by papier-mâché, are annually built by skilful artisans from local families, symbolizing flowers offered by the corporations of workers to the Saint in the 5th century A.D..The built technique is informally transmitted to family members; while, each year a master carpenter and a chief are chosen for leading the building of the structure and coordinating the 200 bearers. On the last day of the festival, usually the first Sunday after June the 22nd, Lilies are carried in the main square for receiving the blessing of the Bishop and, then, through the narrow alleys of the city, accompanied by songs and music, with a mixture of devotion and folklore.
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