Saint Nicholas, the bishop of Myra. A man, a beacon in the night for the last against the injustices of this earth. A saint, who raises fragilities and ennobles them upwards, who brings minorities with him, upwards, to make them greatness. This is the Patron Saint to whom the city of Bari pays homage on the days of his celebration, in an artistic journey halfway between heaven and earth, between tradition and contemporaneity, between East and West.
The procession of 7 May, starting at 8.30 pm from Piazza Federico di Svevia, will cross Via San Francesco d’Assisi, Piazza Garibaldi, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, Largo IV Novembre, Lungomare Imperatore Augusto, Largo Papa Urbano II to end in Piazza San Nicholas.
The cult of Saint Nicholas is widespread throughout the world. His deeds, of which there are rare documented traces, handed down over the centuries, have become memorable images in a unique heritage of legends, popular fables, miracles that are anchors of peace at all latitudes.
In this new edition there will be moments of historical re-enactment in which the six historical groups of the city will alternate (Aps The Figures of Saint Nicholas, The sailors of the translation, Tympanists Nicolaus Barium, Militia Santi Nicolai, Historia, Compagnia d’arme Stratos). In a re-enacted and imaginary Middle Ages among goiters, sailors, knights and costumed figures, timpanists and flag-wavers, miracles and legendary tales of Saint Nicholas will be brought into action on stage but, above all, the celebration of the translation of the bones of the Saint will be re-enacted, i.e. the first arrival in the city of the relics of Saint Nicholas.
· How it all began: the translation of the bones of Saint Nicholas
The May 6th, at 7 pm, on the San Nicola pier, in the place that the people of Bari call “Nderralalanz”, as per tradition at sunset, the translation of the Saint’s bones will be staged, that is, the first arrival in the city of the relics which, according to tradition, were temporarily placed in the church of San Michele. A precious casket will be transported by figures on small fishing boats, welcomed by the guards and the celebrating people and accompanied by an interpreter of Nicephorus, the first author to have reported the incredible feat of 1087. The bones of Saint Nicholas, in fact, they rested in Myra for about 750 years before being taken to Puglia with a coup by sailors. The public, thanks to the small procession towards the old city, will immerse themselves in the year 1000 breathing the festive air of the arrival of the 62 sailors in the city, with 50 participants and the musicians who will arrive at the church of San Michele, where the ” Abbot Elia” will place the casket, awaiting the construction of the Basilica.
· The paintings of the historical procession
The historical re-enactment of May 7th is a journey that aims to arouse emotions and reflections in the public on ancient and at the same time contemporary themes, using traditional stories and the life of the Saint. Some paintings will be more festive, others dramatic, in the perennial duality between which humanity moves: good and evil, joy and sadness, benevolence and tragedy. It will not be a simple parade of figures in historical costume, but a sequence of moving paintings alternating with historical groups. Each painting will be staged by actors and dancers, together with figures in historical costume, adults and children, who will interact with the scene and the audience.
Families and children will announce the arrival of the Saint: figures will sing and throw colored powder into the air, thus creating a trail, a rainbow along the route. 100% natural and biodegradable products will be used, obtained from corn flour and food colourings.
First painting: “The Cretan boys”
The first stage action in the procession is a little-known legend: one Good Friday, while the faithful were praying, three boys were playing on the beach. They joined an older boy and got into a boat with him. The rough sea pushed them out to sea. The boys invoked Saint Nicholas who appeared, visible only to them and put them to sleep. Upon awakening, with the wind in their favor, they returned to port. The painting is inspired by one of the miracles that concern the relationship between the Saint, the sea and youth. Saint Nicholas, as the mast of our existence, pulls us out of the shipwreck, straightens the sails of our existence and brings us back to safety.
Second painting: “The three girls”
The second painting depicts the best-known act of generosity of Saint Nicholas, represented in stage action for the historical procession. Gift, solidarity, respect towards women are the themes of this scene. Three girls “are dragged” by their father’s yoke. Three girls in dark clothes, of different origins and skin colors to symbolize the common condition faced by women of all times. Behind them a crowd of courtesans and spectators. Throughout the procession, the public will be emotionally involved. Following them, at a distance, is the young Nicola, who will intervene by donating three tall shiny and golden spheres (the height will be represented by these symbolic elements) which summarize Nicolaian solidarity. The passage between the condition of slavery, which chains women to an immensely sad future, and freedom will be represented by an action during which the only one moving will be the young Nicola.
Third framework: “The framework of peace”
Although it is not taken from miracles or legends, the third painting tells of the foundation of the Nicholas cult in Bari or a moment of the Translation of the Saint’s relics. A painting that does not refer to a legendary tale or a miracle, but which evokes historical events. On May 9, in the city port, the sixty-two sailors, returning from the expedition to Myra, were welcomed by the celebrating crowd. A clash between the sailors and the guards of Archbishop Ursone (who was in Trani or Canosa at the time) placed the urn containing the Saint’s bones at the center of the dispute. The Abbot of San Benedetto, Elia, with his monks, calmed the spirits and brought peace between the opposing factions. The bitter dispute arose over who should guard the relics of the Saint, at that time still preserved and protected in a sailors’ chest. The armed soldiers and the poorly armed citizens of Bari clashed bitterly; Two people were killed and many injured on the ground. Abbot Elia intervened by proclaiming Nicholas the protector of the city and of all the people, and peace was thus re-established in honor of him.
· “San Nicola degli Stranieri” and the giant Saint Nicholas, the art of ResExtensa in the historical procession of 7 May
The company ResExtensa by Elisa Barucchieri will enchant the public in the stage of Freedom Square. Twenty aerial dancers, a fusion of talented professionals and young local artists, will salute the Caravella, in front of Palazzo Città, giving life to a series of aerial figures that will create a moment of magic. With grace and strength, they will interpret the profound bond between the city and its patron saint, celebrating the rich maritime tradition and the devotion that has animated the people of Bari for centuries. Their movements will evoke the energy of the sea and the ardor of the sailors , while their bodies will rise in elegant acrobatics, creating an atmosphere of magic and emotion. It will be a vibrant tribute to the history and spirituality of Saint Nicholas, an invitation to renew the indissoluble bond between the city, its protector and the mystery that surrounds them.
At the end of the procession there will be the Saint Nicholas the Gianta stylized and imposing creation that stands majestically along the route, arousing wonder and exuding an aura of protection that envelops all those who encounter it along the way.
Even though it starts bare, its grandeur is tangible, ready to be dressed during the procession. It is a moment of participation of the people of Bari, who join in the passing from hand to hand of the symbols that recall her testimony, still extremely relevant for the contemporary world.
When the procession has passed through the square and continued on its itinerary, the public will pour into Piazza Libertà and watch the show “Saint Nicholas of Foreigners“, a work conceived between heaven and earth, on a multi-level stage that offers a dynamic and engaging vision. Furthermore, in an absolute first, the show will be narrated simultaneously in Italian Sign Language and with audio descriptionensuring accessibility to all.
This show brings Saint Nicholas from Myra to Bari, and from Bari to the whole world, in an embrace that unites people, witnessed by the citizens of a world that is still too divided. “San Nicola degli Stranieri” tells a story of unity, compassion and hope in his name, for which every citizen of the world is responsible.
Other entertainment interventions by ResExtensa are planned in front of the Margherita Theater and in the final show in the Basilica.
· “Saint Nicholas in our upward gazes”, the final show
The great final show, now an icon of the Historical Procession of Bari, will give an exciting experience in the space of the churchyard of the Basilica of San Nicola. Here, in the last stage of the route, the common people, the nobles, the sailors, the soldiers, the clergy, the flag-wavers, the timpanists, the men-at-arms and the dancers, the children and the last ones will parade. Everyone will meet in front of the door of the Basilica together with the paintings of the procession of the 2024 edition.
The arrival will be accompanied by an evocation recited by Marcello Prayer, actor and theatrical performer. Live piano music will be performed by the singer-songwriter Renzo Rubino and, in a moment of great impact, the video projections on the façade of the Basilica will be cinematic images that portray all of us. As in a magnifying glass on the world, women and men, children, migrants, ordinary people, sailors, workers, men and women of the land, people of the street. A real world filtered through our gaze, made not by actors but by ordinary people. All different faces, full of feeling, which tell what makes a look human, the desire for infinity, the hope and brotherhood of the people of San Nicola.
Here too the dance of ResExtensa will intervene: “San Nicola upwards” is a work conceived between heaven and earth, in a multi-level show that offers a dynamic and engaging vision. Furthermore, in an absolute first, the show will be narrated simultaneously in Italian Sign Language and with audio descriptionensuring accessibility to all.
