Thousands of people positioned along the path that the Assumption travels pulled by the shooters. From Piazza Castronovo the traditional departure of the Vara procession that has accompanied the Ferragosto in Messina for decades.
Between the ropes, stretched by the shooters and blessed by Father Antonello Angemi around 6.15pm, shortly before the traditional fireworks, the journalistic contributions of Lucio D’Amico, Salvatore De Maria, Rachele Gerace and Francesca Stornante. The framework of the event, conducted by I will be fed from the seat of the Archbishopric, with many guests and historical testimonies on the procession.
Under a scorching sun, several hundred people gathered under the trees in Piazza Castronovo in search of some refreshment to watch the “journey” of the three candles that preceded the laying of the ropes. Present, as usual, behind the monument, the mayor of Messina Federico Basile, representatives of the City Council and the districts.
This year’s edition, dedicated to John Arigothe young man from Messina who died a few months ago due to an explosion in the family fireworks factory that “illuminated” many Messina celebrations, was characterized by some delay in arriving at Piazza Duomofrom the (much higher) number of shooters, but also from a touching moment of prayer from the Ukrainian community present in Messina.
“Pull the Vara more with your heart than with strength, more with faith than with your hands” said Father Antonello Angemi, chaplain of the Vara, shortly before the fireworks display was launched from the villa in Piazza Castronovo. The first delays were already recorded at the start due to a few minutes of apprehension for the loss of a child who, however, was found almost immediately, but also due to the positioning of shooters who were too crowded in some sections of the rope.
At the cry of “Viva Maria” the procession of the Vara started, preceded by the memory of Giovanni Arigò and, subsequently, along the route, among the first stops also the passage in front of the place where the young woman lost her life. Lorena Manganohit by a car at the intersection of Via Garibaldi and Via Torrente Trapani.
The procession took place with tropical temperatures and weather, without the classic breeze that caresses the city of Messina even in the summer months: according to many shooters, the 2024 Vara is the hottest in recent years. In addition to the degrees on the thermometer, the number of shooters is also increasing, approximately 200 more than last yearbut also the ropes which this year were about 5 metres longer.
It took five “pulls” to drag the Vara monument to the height of the Prefecture where the Assumption was welcomed by the highest representative of the Government in the city, the prefect C.very much by Stani who wanted to be present, despite covid, for the usual floral tribute. On the balcony of the Government Palace also representatives of the Police Forces, the rector of the University of Messina Giovanna Spatari, from Monsignor Giovanni Accolla and the Archbishop of Caltagirone. There was some controversy over the delays and slowness of the procession, which some said was due to the excessive number of shooters present.
Then the traditional prayer to the Madonna to the cloth of “Mother Assunta bless our city”. The prayer was addressed above all to children, to young people, to those who have no work, to the elderly, to those who feel alone, to those who suffer, to administrators, to the police. “Work against that torpor and that resignation that suffocate our Messina, Mary wakes up this city, so that everyone can do their part to make it better. Long live Mary, Long live Mary, Long live Mary”. This is the exhortation in the words of Father Antonello Angemi.
The Vara crossed via Garibaldi, at least ten minutes later than usual: the heat, the dry asphalt, the presence of many more shooters and a lot of people between the ropes and outside had an impact.
When the head of the procession appeared at the intersection with Via I Settembre, a small brawl broke out involving a municipal police officer and requiring the intervention of other police forces. About 15 minutes late on the traditional timetable, the “machina votiva” arrived at the intersection with Via I Settembre for the famous “girata”. Longer ropes, more pullers and a sultry heat, despite the evening, perhaps sapped strength and willpower, but the “girata” was once again perfect, trying with a longer pull than the previous ones to bring the monument of the Assumption as close as possible to Piazza Duomo.
Recovering part of the delay accumulated during the procession, the Assumption arrived in Piazza Duomo welcomed by the prayers of Monsignor John Accolla who thanked the daily commitment of those who collaborated on the event. In conclusion, the mayor’s comment Federico Basile: “We are trying to address all the problems that arise daily, we hope that the spirit of this day accompanies the people of Messina every day”.
In closing the fireworks display under the Stele of the Madonnina del porto. More intense and longer lasting than in previous years: this year a leading company from Bagheria was hired, which has also worked for events abroad and which in Messina gave a show of colors for almost 20 minutes.