The time for wishes is here once more, with Saint Anthony’s bonfire

“Saint Anthony, with his white beard”

You all know how it ends, and many of you are already waiting for the fateful day of the bonfire, into which people throw cards with their wishes for 2013, especially in relation to love.

The confirmation has been given for the event that has the most beloved Varese tradition: on 16 and 17 January, Saint Anthony’s bonfire, and the numerous associated initiatives, will return to liven up Piazza Motta and the Varese winter. This morning, Varese town council officially confirmed their sponsorship of the event.

The bonfire will take place on Wednesday, 16 January, at 9 p.m. On the 17th, Saint Anthony’s Feast Day, there will be a mass at 11 a.m., as usual, with the blessing of the animals at noon in the churchyard, and the releasing of balloons by Varese schoolchildren. Then, at 6 p.m., to bring the celebration to a close, there will be the solemn mass presided over by the Episcopal Vicar, Monsignor Franco Agnesi. Of course, there will be the food stand organised by the Monelli Association, with their legendary sausages, pessit and mustazzit (traditional fried fish and typical delicacies), in Piazza Motta.

In the surrounding streets, there will be a local market, with about 70 stands. In Via Carrobbio, 13 farm stalls will be set up, and remain in place until 4.30 p.m. on Wednesday, and throughout Thursday. The Mayor, Attilio Fontana, said, “Our heartfelt thanks go to the Monelli della Motta Association. This celebration is always an occasion for the city to come together, to warm up by the bonfire, and to eat a fritter or a sausage. At a time of difficulty, like this, I think it’s an important occasion to come together for a religious, and even social, ceremony, which should help people to recover their optimism, their desire to do something, and their energy for the future."

As usual, VareseNews will be there, with a webcam; to follow the live Twitter feed, connect using #falòvarese2013. There will be no shortage of surprises, but you will find out about these by continuing to read our pages.

Write down your wish, and VareseNews will throw it into the fire