The Bruna Festival on 2 July: the day on which Matera is reborn every year

by Agnese Ferri

Can we really discover the identity of a thousand-year-old city? Wandering through the alleys of the historic heart of Matera, the Sassi, one has the impression of grasping the secrets of its history and its beauty. Yet every time they escape, and the city leaves us astonished in its majesty. After all, he is ten thousand years old: a certain experience, therefore, in hiding his enigmas.
However, there is a period of the year in which Matera becomes tumultuous, noisy, cheerful: it is its celebration, the 2nd of July. The “longest day” of the Materani and Materane who celebrate the Madonna della Brunapatroness of the city.
In the midst of this happy din, Matera is distracted and reveals itself. Bruna Festival it is a unique opportunity to visit and get to know the city of the Sassi, which welcomes everyone along the itinerary of the celebrations. By following the trumpet blasts of the knights on horseback, who with their colored cloaks and feathers on their helmets escort the statue of the Madonna, you can discover places in the city not off the beaten track. As the Piccianello districta historic district born following the displacement of the Sassi in the 1950s: tradition and devotion to Bruna are at home here.

A moment of the festival in the Piccianello neighbourhood. (Credits: F. Morelli, 02/07/2011. Source: www.logosmatera.it)

And here it is Chariot Factory: the place where every year the majestic papier-mâché artifact is built by the city’s master papier-mâché artisans. Sculptures, portraits, paintings enrich the triumphal chariot and tell stories. When it is unveiled to the city, on June 23, the amazement is renewed every time. The Factory was recently named after Michelangelo Pentasuglia, who donated 13 wagons to the city. Lately the authors of the floats are women: this year’s float is the work of the artist Francesca Cascione; in 2022, there were four women: Elena Mirimao, Annalisa Di Gioia, Luigina Bonamassa and Laura D’Ercole. For several years now, meetings and round tables dedicated to stories of resilience and female entrepreneurship have been held in the square in front of the Factory. It’s the “Stories of women” show: find the program here.

The 2024 wagon, work by Francesca Cascione. (Credits: Agnese Ferri)

Piccianello is the ideal place from which to discover the city that is preparing to celebrate. From here, admiring the festively decorated balconies, you can continue towards the city center with a pleasant walk. Get up to the Cathedral, to admire the statue of the Madonna della Bruna which will be hoisted onto the chariot on 2 July and a breathtaking view of the Sassi; from here, then, go back towards the center of the city until Piazza Vittorio Veneto, admiring the lights that color the streets every year, where on the evening of the 2nd there will be the “rag” (don’t call it “tear”!): the assault on the chariot which will be torn to shreds. Symbol of rebirth, its destruction is a symbolic and powerful moment. The attackers will try to take home the most beautiful pieces: a sign of good luck and devotion. It’s the highlight of the party. The city fills up, awakens, resonates: an unmissable atmosphere.

Images of the square in Matera during a celebration in honor of Bruna
Credit: radionorba.it

But why is it called “the longest day”?
Because on the morning of July 2nd the city wakes up before dawn: it is impossible to stay asleep, with the fireworks starting the “shepherds’ procession”, the first moment of the celebrations. We continue between sacred and profane moments until late in the evening, when the fireworks will be launched from the Murgia. Hurry and find your ideal place in the Sassi, so as not to miss the show!