The "vampe" of Saint Joseph in Sicily

This tradition takes place every year in Palerme on the occasion of the celebration of the feast of S. Joseph on the 19th of march. Children and young people go from house to house , in the town centre collecting old furniture,tables, objects and easily combustible material of any kind to be sacrificed for the ritual of fire. In the afternoon of the day before 19th march the ritual of the flames announces the celebration of S. Joseph: the old walls of the houses are enlightened by huge bonfires; sometimes flames are so high that it is necessary the intervention of firemen. Every year the city authorities try to forbid this custom, but invain.

In Sicily this tradition is very old and it involves many villages in different periods of the year.

There are many feasts where the protagonist is fire.