Imagine yourself hanging out with your besties at the beach, sipping your favorite drink, listening to music and soaking up the sun. Wouldn’t that be the perfect way to enjoy the peak of summer? And if the government actually gives you an official day off for it, how surreal is that?
And that’s what they do in Italy. Welcome to Ferragosto!
Ferragosto is a public holiday celebrated today in all of Italy. Combining the two words ferie (holidays) and agosto (August), Ferragosto is pretty much a holiday set for the sake of giving a holiday, presenting the opportunity to escape the heat.
The origins of Ferragosto trace back to ancient Rome when Emperor Augustus made August 1 a rest day to celebrate harvest and the end of a long period of hard labor. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the festival was moved to August 15 and merged with the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Hence, Ferragosto carries both cultural and religious significance to the Italians.
Today, Ferragosto is considered the third most important holiday in Italy, after Christmas and Easter. Many Italians flock to the beach to start their summer vacation. Families and friends gather together for al fresco lunch or circle around the grill for a big barbecue.
Festivities such as fireworks, dance performances, racing competitions and processions take place across the country. The most famous of all is Palio dell’Assunta, which is a horse racing event at Piazza del Campo in Siena. In Sicily, the statue of the Virgin Mary is put on a boat for a procession at the sea for Festa dell’Assunta. For fireworks, Rimini is known to have the most spectacular show along the Adriatic coast in Emilia Romagna.
Here in Hong Kong, just because Ferragosto is not a public holiday does not mean we cannot share the fun! In reality, Ferragosto celebrations often extend to late August, and there are plenty of ways for us to embrace this quintessential Italian tradition without traveling all the way to Europe.
Dedica
Can’t make it to the beach? Perhaps Victoria Harbour is just as chill. Boasting panoramic view of the harbor, Dedica is located inside Lane Crawford of IFC Mall. A new venture by Giando Group, Dedica offers unbeatable value during happy hour for its pricey address in Central. Their Negroni and Bellini give the most authentic Italian experience, while their Aperol Spritz comes in both alcoholic and virgin versions.
Sophia Loren House Hong Kong
Speaking of Italian lifestyle, Oscar-winning actress Sophia Loren is one of the most iconic symbols representing timeless Mediterranean glamor and pride. Her transformation from a girl of a poverty-stricken family to a Hollywood legend is the most inspiring story to tell.
Her buzzing four-storey restaurant in Wanchai captures her artistry and allure. The upper floors frequently host special events such as musical suppers and stand-up comedy dinners, while the street-level pizzeria is the ideal spot for people watching. To honor the actress’s deep connection with Napoli, go for a glass of La Fortezza Falanghina (white) or Aglianico (red) from Campania. With Sophia Loren’s arabesque cat eyes watching from the back, the sensation of a golden escape
through Italy is almost guaranteed.
AMA Ristorante by the Amatriacianist
Customarily, Italians would go for picnics for Ferragosto, savoring fresh items such as mozzarella, tomato salad, cold cuts, and lots of fruits like watermelon and peaches.
For those who fancy something more complex, AMA Ristorante’s signature Fassona beef carpaccio, seafood frisella, and marinated Mediterranean anchovies take you on a gastronomic tour Central and Southern Italy. Instead of Prosecco, cheer on a glass of Ferrari Trento DOC Brut, one of the most famous sparkling wines of Italy. And for those looking for a serious white wine from Lazio, do not miss the Fiorano Bianco Principe Ludovisi.
AMA’s sundeck on the 25th floor brings the skyline of Wanchai up close, providing a different touch of a cosmopolitan getaway.
Buon Ferragosto a tutti!
Alice Wong is a certified wine educator based in Hong Kong
