The Bonfire No.1 by sandra46

Photography • Atmosphere/Mood • posted on Jan 07, 2010

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Description

This is the first post of the Panevin (bread and wine) or Epifany Bonfire in Padova, 20 metres high and just put on fire by the firefighters at about 5.30 pm. The New Year’s bonfires are a popular tradition in the Northeast with large bonfires usually either on the eve or the same day of Epiphany. Given its prevalence, there are many versions and names: in Friuli is said Pignarul (pignarûi plural), in Veneto Panevin or panaìn (from bread and wine bread and wine, poor food is consumed during the fire) pirola, (word), vecia (old woman: the pyres may take the form of a puppet), in the lower Friuli and Veneto Orientale also fogher or cooking, from fogo, fire. The Celts lit fires to ingratiate himself with the deity, and burned an effigy representing the past. It was the olg hag aspect of the Celtic Triple Goddess known in Ireland as Brighid (Bridget). The flame symbolizes both the burning of the old year and the vital force of renewal, according the very old Indo-European tradition symbolized by ther Fire god Agni in India and by the goddess as a young maid. The direction of the sparks is read as an omen for the future: in Friuli and Veneto if they head east, there will be good fortune in the months to come, if heading west will be time to go in search of fortune. Note then the Friulian proverb 'If the smoke goes to the west, take the bag and go to the world [migrate in search of work], if the smoke goes instead to the east, take the sack and go to the market', and a variant of the Eastern Veneto: 'If the sparks are to the east, take the bag and go to flour, and if the sparks are to the west, bread and cauldron full of polenta'. While the fires burned, the peasants in circles screamed and sang various formulas. The burning is sometimes blessed by the priest with holy water and the crackling of the fire was identified with the devil fleeing angry. Another belief considered that the fall of the cross or pole that supports the pyres can bring harm. In some areas it had to remain standing for at least eight days. The rite of fires is also a time when the community gathers to be in company. It's accompanied by a tasting of mulled wine and pinza, a cake typical of this festival and once sometimes cooked through the same fires. More in the next postings. Thanks for your kind comments.

Comments (59)

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DarkStormCrow

11:56PM | Thu, 07 January 2010

Excellent shot, well done...

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csikigyopar

2:31AM | Fri, 08 January 2010

mi piace imaginea...grazie

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lucindawind

7:34AM | Fri, 08 January 2010

wow amazing!! excellent shot

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mariogiannecchini

7:59AM | Fri, 08 January 2010

Molto bella l'immagine , di grande effetto e interessante la spiegazione allegata .

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tennesseecowgirl

10:07AM | Fri, 08 January 2010

I am coming next year and bringing a big bag of marshmallows :)

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MagikUnicorn

11:34AM | Fri, 08 January 2010

Great shot...Beautiful fire of joy :)

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Thetis

1:08PM | Fri, 08 January 2010

amazing capture! hope the wind went right :)

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amota99517

1:28PM | Fri, 08 January 2010

Awesome shot!

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andrewl

1:55PM | Fri, 08 January 2010

Wonderful image great fire , need it now as heating has just packed up, can feel the heat from here. :)

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Marinette

3:34PM | Fri, 08 January 2010

... conoscevo a grandi linee questa storia , ma il tuo approfondimento arricchito con quello di Mark ,rendono questo racconto veramente speciale. Grazie Sandra!!! Anche per esserti fermata nella mia galleria.:-) gea

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SIGMAWORLD

6:19PM | Fri, 08 January 2010

Excellent photo!

bebert

10:52PM | Fri, 08 January 2010

heu.. c'est pour faire fondre la neige ?? LOL Belle photo !! ce feu est impressionnant !

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jocko500

11:00PM | Fri, 08 January 2010

time to bring out the hot dogs. lol anyway this is a wonderful shot of what going on. that a big fire

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myquad

11:51PM | Fri, 08 January 2010

Stunning shot!

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carlx

4:10AM | Sat, 09 January 2010

Amazing capture!!!

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Biffowitz

5:12AM | Sat, 09 January 2010

Fantastic image, love the rich colors and contrast!

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Star4mation

8:06AM | Sat, 09 January 2010

Superb photo Sandra!! Makes me feel warm just looking at it :)

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dakotabluemoon

8:28AM | Sat, 09 January 2010

Cool shot been waiting for this one to come up and great story.

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virginiese

9:45AM | Sat, 09 January 2010

excellent shot ! very difficult one. I knew the Beffana but my family never celebrated this event !

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ShadowsNTime

12:26PM | Sat, 09 January 2010

One can nearly see the devil in that fire! Its a beautiful picture and the story really brings it to life in ones mind! Fantastic series Sandra!!!

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blondeblurr

5:46PM | Sat, 09 January 2010

o.k. this is the shot, I was waiting for, well done BB

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knupps

7:17PM | Sat, 09 January 2010

Looks great. You made a nice shot there.

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ragouc

7:02AM | Sun, 10 January 2010

Great...

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0rest4wicked

9:17AM | Sun, 10 January 2010

Fantastic image! Catching the blaze at twilight composes the background lighting so well!

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giovanino

1:38PM | Sun, 10 January 2010

Gorgeous work and lovely light and effects!

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stevey3d

4:53PM | Sun, 10 January 2010

Wonderful shot! Excellent colour Sandra!

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Minda

9:02PM | Mon, 11 January 2010

great capture and info sandra..

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1358

1:20AM | Tue, 12 January 2010

fire scared away the evil spirits that plagued our ancestors... but still, in our deepness, we need the fire to dispell the fear, the hate, the wrongs that are thrust on us... fire is ancient and powerful... we need the fire! beautiful work!

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