§ Saint John the Baptist is the Patron Saint of Genoa and Ovada a piemontese town to which we are bound by ancient alliance and friendship
§ Both the cities honour the Saint with celebrations and religious , but mainly folkloristic, processions.
§ Yesterday night I took part of celebrations going to watch at the midnight bonfire in front of Palazzo Ducale
§ While this afternoon we went to Ovada to watch at the procession by the Confraternity of Holy Trinity and Saint John the Baptist
E' pesantissimo e viene portato a turno dagli uomini più forti della Confraternita.
§ The crucifix in the first pic is tipical of Liguria and Lower Piemonte, the Black Christ and the decorations in silver and gilded silver are absolutely characteristic.
It is very heavy and it is lifted in turn by the strongest men of the Confraternity.
§ To be a Cristezante aka Christ bearer in Genoese, is a main honour and a great responsibility given the economical and symbolic value of the crosses.
§ Look at the first 6 minutes of this video to understand the labour in the transfer from one bearer to the other, actually is the most dangerous moment of the procession
§ Not that these huge statues are less imposing !!! and they made them dance !!!
