July 31, 2024

Slowing Down the Tempo with Ferragosto

Italians value rest.

Although seemingly simple, this fact packs a punch, doesn’t it? In the face of our fast-paced lives, respecting (no, celebrating!) a communal need for downtime almost feels progressive. Rather than being relegated to a second thought, the essential everyday acts of chilling, eating, and connecting are often magnified in Italy, and Ferragosto, the national Italian summer holiday, marks the beginning of a sweet sunny revelry. Kick back, relax, and join in on the Ferragosto dolce far niente!

Downtime Through Time

Ferragosto (a mashup of the word ferie or holidays, and agosto or August) is celebrated every year on August 15^th. This public holiday is similar to our North American Labour Day and for most Italians, it coincides with the kickoff of vacation time. A little like our Québec construction holiday, but on a larger scale, Ferragosto heralds the beginning of a shared downtime. To mark the occasion, most Italians will gather for all-day grilling feasts and often enjoy fireworks, races, street entertainment, and religious processions. The whole nine yards!

Aujourd’hui, Ferragosto représente beaucoup plus qu’un simple congé : c’est l’emblème du mode de vie à l’italienne et le symbole même de la douceur de l’été. Le 15 août, tout le pays se laisse aller à une joyeuse trêve langoureuse.

This central holiday was introduced a long, long time ago, in 18 BC to be precise, by the Roman emperor Augustus (August-Augustus, get it?) Back then, it was celebrated on August 1^st, but the Catholic Church later changed it to the 15^th to match the festivities of the Assumption of Mary. The celebration marked the end of the long and strenuous harvest season and served as the official signal for everyone to finally enjoy some well-deserved rest. And that included the beasts of burden who also got to take it easy for a day! The tradition solidified and evolved over time, with an organized spike during the 1930s as the government orchestrated low-cost travel to beach and mountain destinations for the working class. Today, Ferragosto is much more than just a day off: it’s the emblem of the Italian way of life and the symbol of summer itself. On August 15^th, the whole country comes to a hedonistic standstill and gives itself the keys to a sunny dolce vita breather.

Taking It Easy: A Way of Life

Anyone who’s travelled to Italy during the month of August could attest to the palpable change of pace that can be witnessed once Ferragosto hits. Many businesses close from that day on for a few weeks, and often the whole month, and chiuso per le ferie (closed for holidays) signs pop up all over the country. Most basic services are maintained, but there are fewer restaurants and shops to choose from. And the businesses that do stay open will usually slide into the infectious slow-living mode with very flexible time slots and a more casual than ever style of service. That means it might take a while for your bill to arrive, but that way, you get to finish that conservation you were having and maybe even start a new one with a neighbouring table!

To some North Americans, the idea of a national communal beach exodus that spans over two to four weeks might be a little hard to conceive, especially for a tourism-focused country like Italy. But there is definitely something to it, and a few busy bees might even find a lesson or two in there. What if we took our sweet time for once? When the temperature is at its highest and nature at its prettiest, it makes sense to escape the sweltering heat and recharge your batteries with loved ones somewhere a little cooler and picturesque. With Ferragosto, Italians answer the call of rest, give in to the slumbering magic of summer, and fully savour all the relationships and little things that make life so sweet.

A Ferragosto-inspired menu, just for you

As for most key Italian events, Ferragosto comes with its own array of delicious foods. Although the menu varies from region to region, August 15^th usually rhymes with picnics, grilled meats, cold side dishes to combat the heat, and fresh fruit like the quintessential watermelon. Whether you’ve got some time off on the horizon or just want to let the Ferragosto dolce vita spirit seep into your daily busy life, we thought you’d enjoy some summer feast inspiration. Here are a few of our very own sunny recipes to help you slow down your summer tempo. Enjoy!