Festa di Sant'Antonio Abate "Al Fciòn"

Where: square of the parish and piazza Fratelli Cervi di San Matteo della Decima - 40016 San Giovanni in Persiceto (BO)

When: January 20, 2019

The ancient custom of the blessing of domestic animals revives in the village of San Matteo della Decima - 9 kilometres from San Giovanni in Persiceto - in tribute to Sant'Antonio, patron of livestock farmers and protector of animals. All the citizens can partecipate bringing their pets in front of the town church at 3 pm.

During the afternoon there will be also the opportunity, in piazza Fratelli Cervi, to discover the authentic flavours of ancient times at the food stall of local association “La Cumpagnì dal Clinto”: roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, "ciacer" (fried chestnut flour pancake), "ciribusle" (sort of porridge of corn flour cooked in pork bouillon), "mistocchine" (dessert of chestnut flour), "frittelle" (fried pancakes).

The feast of St. Anthony the Abbot was one of the most popular rural celebrations of the Bolognese Plain: on the 17th of January, also called the day of the Befanone, the Vción (the old man), the farmers could notice that the days were getting longer and springtime was closer. 

The event is also an opportunity to visit the village of San Matteo, 9 km from San Giovanni in Persiceto. The two towns are both famous for a long-lasting Carnival tradition, known for over a hundred years.