Festa della Rificolona September 7th
The Paper lantern Festival - Festa della Rificolona, takes place in Florence every year on the evening of September 7th as part of the celebrations for Saint Mary’s birthday. The origins of the festival date back to the 12th century when people from the vicinities came to Florence to celebrate Virgin Mary’s birthday and pray in the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata. Traditionally, the peasants brought the fruits of their labor as gifts to the mother of Jesus. Because they left their villages while it was still dark, they used handmade lanterns carried on long sticks to lighten the way with.
