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Lanterns in the City of Lilies

The streets of ancient Florence are set to be lit by a procession of the city's children this September.

In a traditional festival, in which children carry lanterns through the streets, the Rificolona will take place on September 7th 2006.

Street performances, parties, and a final procession led by the cardinal will see celebrations last into the early hours of this beautiful and historic city.

The origins of the festival are somewhat mysterious, although some believe that an important market which would take place in the city sparks the beginning of the tradition, which coincided with the festival of the Madonna.

To arrive to the festival early, peasants from surrounding regions would flock to Florence early before dawn, carrying paper lanterns to light the way and dressed in their Sunday finest.

However, cruel city dwellers would laugh at the country folk's attempts at elegance, while children would creep around with their own lanterns, attempting to set fire to those of the travellers.

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Updated: Fri, 07 Jul 2006 00:00:00

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