(ANSA) – SAN GIULIANO DEL SANNIO, APRIL 16 – The new recruits are newly eighteen year olds, the veterans are over 70 years old. With them, also five girls and young mascots aged between 5 and 17. They are the ‘Fusiliers of San Nicola’ of San Giuliano del Sannio (Campobasso), a group of 85 members of the association of the same name who, on the occasion of the anniversary of the feast of San Nicola, patron saint of the town, revive an ancient local tradition that this per year it reaches three centuries of life. Around 60 people take part in the ‘Parade’ which is held on 8 and 9 May each year. It will be repeated on August 10th to allow the many emigrants who have returned to the town for the summer period to attend and dive back into the past. Hundreds of blank shots fired into the air by the Fusiliers with their muzzle-loading arquebuses, perfect reproductions of those in production in 1860. They proceed in two lines, at the head of the procession of the Saint, along the route that winds through the streets of the town. A singular, and perhaps unique tradition of its kind, which over the years has been handed down from father to son. A rite, between sacred and profane, which intends to make cultural and popular memories known and valued within the provincial territory. “An indescribable emotion – say the younger ones – which makes us feel like participants in the history of the country”. A feeling, certainly present even among veterans. According to a historical reconstruction, the tradition dates back to 1724, when the then archpriest, having commissioned the wooden statue of Saint Nicholas, had the population welcome it with rifle shots as a sign of jubilation. However, some believe that it was even more ancient and linked to the transhumance of herds from nearby Puglia. Perhaps, the insignia of San Nicola were brought by the shepherds of Matese who spent a good part of the winter in nearby Puglia. This is demonstrated by the spread of the cult of the saint also in Guardiaregia (Campobasso), another municipality with a strong pastoral tradition. The event is deeply felt by the people of San Giuliano, but also in neighboring towns. Every year it attracts tourists from all over the region and the neighboring ones both in the May edition and, above all, in the repeat on 10 August in honor of the emigrants for which they also flock from overseas, in particular from Canada. (HANDLE).
