Description:

The Focaraccio di Sigillo is a centuries-old tradition that takes place every year on the evening of December 9, on the eve of the Feast of the Arrival of the Holy House of Loreto. The event has its roots in popular devotion and draws on an ancient custom widespread in Umbria and the Marche: the lighting of large bonfires intended, according to tradition, to symbolically illuminate the path of the Holy House during its arrival in Loreto.  

In Sigillo, the preparation of the Focaraccio traditionally involves the town’s young people, who walk through the streets of the village collecting firewood and bundles of twigs provided by the residents. The wood is transported and stacked to form a large pile which, at dusk, is set alight, creating a moment of strong collective participation. The entire community gathers around the fire, keeping alive a tradition that unites faith, memory, and fellowship and continues to represent an important element of local identity. 

In addition to its religious significance, the Focaraccio is an important example of intangible cultural heritage, rooted in community participation and the transmission of customs and practices shared across generations. The involvement of young people in preparing the bonfire and the participation of the local population in the evening event attest to the social value of the celebration, which continues to strengthen the sense of belonging and the collective memory of the Sigillo community. 

The accompanying material documents the various stages of the event, from gathering firewood to building the pyre, through to the lighting of the large bonfire and moments of community participation. This material demonstrates how the Focaraccio continues to represent a living tradition, capable of conveying to new generations the value of collaboration, shared memory, and the region’s intangible cultural heritage.