Onomastico - and another Italian Party

mercoledì, 14 giugno 2017 

Yesterday (Tuesday) was the Onomastico (name-day) for Antonio.  What is an Onomastico you say?  Here is bit of an explanation from the internet  

"Italian Names and their Onomastico. ... It is a person's Saint Day, as each day is dedicated to a Saint in the Catholic religion, and it has been celebrated since the Middle Ages, not only in Italy, but also in other European and Latin American countries, who have been influenced by a Catholic or an Orthodox customs.

This tradition originated with the Christian calendar of saints: believers named after a saint would celebrate their saint’s feast day, or in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the day of a saint’s death.

Throughout Italy the onomastico is celebrated as a second birthday, though many Italians nowadays, especially in the north, do not celebrate it anymore. Now people just receive wishes, like “auguri” or “buon onomastico”. In the southern part of Italy this custom is still very current. One’s onomastico is a day of celebration and warm wishes from family and friends, much like a birthday."

So with that background, my cousin Antonio, the carpenter and all around great guy who loves parties, had his Onomastico festa yesterday.  So last night I was invited to his party.  Antonio has land in the country (interesting as the whole area in my mind is country) about 5 minutes from his house.   This land is where he has all sorts of parties.  He has buildings and outside structures for that exact purpose.  Over the years I have attended many a "Festa" (party/holiday) at this place.  So last night 20+ of his closest friends and family gathered to help him celebrate.  And as always there was food as well as a wonderful "torta" (cake) and sparkling wine.  Everything (except the wine) was home made by Anna - even the beautiful torta.

I asked Antonio when my Onomastico was.  Everyone believes it would be for Saint Carlo as I believe all the Saints are men so you have to determine the name that is closest to yours.  They thought San Carlo - but that is for Charles so I think I need to work with them a bit more on this.  

Anyway here are some pictures of Antonio's country house for parties.  It is so fun to celebrate here.

This table can seat at least 40 -50 people comfortably.  

This is at the end of the table - a work area with a gas stove, sink and a grill (cook with wood),
This area has been added since my last visit.

This is a building that houses a full kitchen, bathroom, indoor party room
 and now a new bedroom - recently added

Inside kitchen with two stoves and ovens

Inside party room or tables for buffet for outside parties - note the photos all over the walls
Evidence of all the parties that have taken place here.