In a nutshell, the Ferragosto festival has roots in Ancient Rome, celebrates the Assumption of Mary and is today synonymous with holidays. The name Ferragosto derives from the Latin feriae Augusti, or rest of Augustus. It was in fact a festival in honor of the first Roman emperor, Octavian Augustus, who also gave his name to the month of August, transforming it from the tradition of the Consualia, festivals that celebrated the end of agricultural work and honored Conso, the god of the earth and of fertility for the Romans
During the period of the Roman Empire, Ferragosto was characterized by numerous celebrations throughout the Empire. Festivals and horse races were organised, and the draft animals, relieved from work in the fields, were adorned with flowers. It was also customary for farmers to wish the landowners well, receiving a tip in return. Originally, as a pagan holiday, Ferragosto was celebrated on August 1st, but the days of rest and celebration were much more numerous, even extending to the entire month. August 13th, in particular, was dedicated to the goddess Diana.
With the advent of Christianity, Ferragosto was assimilated by the Catholic Church around the 7th century. The Church began celebrating the Assumption of Mary on August 15, a holiday that commemorates the ascension of the Virgin Mary into heaven with both soul and body. This dogma, known as the Assumption of Mary, was officially recognized by the Church only in 1950
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