Festival of St John and tradition comes alive

‘It was the year 1169‘ when Emperor Frederick Barbarossa invaded, set fire to and razed the Isola Comacina to the ground…’.

It is precisely THIS historical moment that is evoked through the famous fires of the traditional Festival of St John, celebrated every year at the end of June in the village of Ossuccio (Tremezzina) and on the Comacina Island.

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St John Festival, two days of celebration

The highlight is the fireworks display on Saturday evening.

The initial bang is scheduled for 10.30 p.m., but the atmosphere and festive mood before and afterwards also contribute, and not a little, to making the evening special. The town becomes populated and is literally invaded by thousands of people who, already from the early afternoon, move in search of the best location from which to watch the fireworks.

There are merry-go-rounds, stalls, music and food!

The ‘Zoca de l’Oli’ (the area in front of the Island) is lit up with candles for the occasion… the banks, balconies and streets, as soon as the daylight fades, slowly light up. And a special old-time atmosphere comes to life!!

The stretch of water in front of the village fills with boats, the anticipation grows, the boats arrive laden with people and festively decorated, and when it is completely dark, the show begins!

Loud bangs, accentuated by the rumble of the mountains above the village, echo and break the silence.

But it is during the final calm that the most spectacular moment of the entire evening takes place: the burning of the island.

This small strip of land is set ablaze in red, slowly but completely, and the final effect is a large flame burning in the middle of the lake. Amazing!!!

This is followed by the final three bangs and the roar of the boats. And so ends the first part of the Sagra.

Sunday events

On Sunday, however, there is the Solemn Procession on the Comacina Island, with the historical procession and figurants in period costume, the celebration of Holy Mass in the ruins of the ancient Basilica of St Euphemia, and, in the afternoon, the race of the ‘Lucie’ (typical Lario boats).

It is a very heartfelt celebration.

And every year the tradition is renewed!

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